United States urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to avoid conflict

The United States and United Kingdom have called for de-escalation between Ethiopia and Eritrea to prevent a new war in the Horn of Africa. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, emphasizing the need for dialogue, respect for regional sovereignty, and adherence to the 2018 peace framework.

Tensions have intensified following accusations from Addis Ababa that Eritrean troops have entered Ethiopian territory. The United Nations has also expressed concern regarding the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe in the Tigray region and the broader destabilization of the Red Sea corridor, which is already impacted by conflicts in Sudan and Yemen.

Observers note that while the 2018 Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship ended two decades of official conflict, relations have significantly deteriorated. Current friction points include disputes over sovereignty, the Tigray region, and Ethiopia’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea.