Ethiopia Accuses Eritrea of Aggression as Ties Deteriorate

Ethiopia has accused neighbouring Eritrea of military aggression and of supporting armed groups operating inside Ethiopian territory, signalling a renewed deterioration in relations between the two Horn of Africa neighbours.

In a letter by Ethiopian foreign minister to his Eritrean counterpart, and quoted by Reuters Agency, the minister said Eritrean forces had crossed into Ethiopian land and were backing armed factions, calling the actions a violation of Ethiopia’s sovereignty.

He urged Asmara to withdraw its troops and end all involvement with militant groups.

The accusations revive tensions between countries whose relationship has been shaped by decades of rivalry, conflict and fragile reconciliation.

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a long liberation war, but unresolved border disputes soon escalated into a full-scale conflict between 1998 and 2000 that killed tens of thousands and left both sides deeply mistrustful.

Although fighting ended in 2000, the two remained locked in a hostile standoff for nearly two decades, with closed borders and limited diplomatic contact.

Relations improved dramatically in 2018, when leaders from both sides signed a peace agreement and restored ties, raising hopes of lasting stability in the region.

That rapprochement was reinforced during Ethiopia’s war in the northern Tigray region from 2020 to 2022, when Eritrean forces fought alongside federal troops against regional authorities.

The alliance, however, proved short-lived, and strains emerged after the conflict ended.

Ethiopia now says Eritrea is undermining its security by backing armed groups and maintaining a military presence along disputed areas. Eritrea has previously denied similar accusations.

The latest dispute comes amid broader instability in northern Ethiopia and growing concerns about renewed confrontation between the neighbours.

Ethiopian officials say they remain open to dialogue but insist that relations cannot improve unless Eritrea respects the country’s territorial integrity.

Analysts reckon the episode highlights how deeply rooted grievances and unresolved border and security issues continue to shape relations between the two countries, despite past efforts at

reconciliation.