Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of destabilizing the Horn of Africa

Eritrea has formally accused Ethiopia of actively destabilizing the Horn of Africa. In a statement from the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Asmara targeted Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, alleging that the party has engaged in a continuous escalation of war rhetoric for over three years.

Eritrea further accused Addis Ababa of ignoring international treaties and providing support, including hosting, training, and funding, to sectarian proxy groups intended to force regime change in Eritrea. Additionally, Asmara claimed Ethiopia is harboring and encouraging the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group involved in the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

Tensions between the two nations have risen significantly since the end of the Tigray war in late 2022. While the two countries briefly reconciled in 2018, relations have deteriorated due to territorial disputes and claims that landlocked Ethiopia covets the strategic Eritrean port of Assab. Eritrean forces remain in the Tigray region despite previous peace agreements calling for their withdrawal.