🔗 Share this article Rising War of Words Involving Ethiopian Government and Eritrean Government Raises Fears of Military Confrontation Growing concerns exist over the potential of military engagement between East African neighbours, the Ethiopian government and the Eritrean government, as hostile rhetoric has ratcheted up in recent weeks. Ethiopia and The Eritrean government cooperated in the internal conflict in northern Ethiopia but they have later become estranged. What Has Ethiopia Stated? Landlocked Ethiopia's requests for access to the sea coast through Eritrean territory has sparked a fierce verbal exchange. The Ethiopian leader initially stated publicly in the previous year that his government's maritime access was an vital issue, statements that Eritrean authorities ignored. Diplomatic connections between the two countries have often been tense. After a prolonged battle for independence, the Eritrean state, which has a 1,350km (840-mile) maritime frontage, legally broke away from Ethiopian rule in the early 1990s, rendering it landlocked. Subsequently, a border war broke out in which more than 100,000 people lost their lives. Current Statements from Ethiopian Leadership Abiy and army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have publicly asserted ownership of Eritrean maritime facility of the port of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the frontier - and suggested the intention to capture it through military means. On 1 September, the Prime Minister said the country's "mistake" of losing entry to the Red Sea as a because of Eritrea's separation would be "rectified soon". Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that the port was "belonging to Ethiopia" and would be restored "through military action". Eritrea's Reaction to the Statements Despite continuous warnings from Ethiopian officials, Eritrea's reaction has been limited to short statements on online platforms from Communications Head the minister. Officials have denied Ethiopia's demand for sea access calling it "dangerous" and a "negative policy" of "territorial claims" – a policy of reclaiming former lands. Government spokespeople alerted on recently that attempts to legitimise "blatant hostility" would have serious consequences for Ethiopia and its neighbors and is a "limit that should not be crossed|violated|breached". Military Activities on the Border There have been no reports of large-scale army activities in the boundary zones between the two countries. Nevertheless, in the country, national TV has displayed completion events of numerous trainees at multiple army bases. The director of staff section of the defense force, the officer, recently said in an discussion that the military was in a "reliable position" as "tens of thousands of young people" were enlisting, which he said was "a message to our adversaries". Historical Background of the Tension For decades from 1890, Eritrea was ruled by Italian rulers. After the end of Italian rule, it was then administered by the British administration before becoming a federated part of the Ethiopian empire. But in the early 1960s the Ethiopian emperor cancelled this agreement and the region became fully incorporated into the Ethiopian state. A extended civil war followed, ending with the government's loss in the early 1990s. Sovereignty was then confirmed by voters in a referendum in 1993. Temporarily in the 1990s, there were friendly connections between the authorities in Ethiopia's capital and Eritrea's capital, but they clashed over the specific demarcation of their common border, leading to war in 1998. Even though this ended in a peace deal in 2000, it was partially applied, and the two nations continued at in dispute. This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrean President President Isaias. The two signed a declaration that the conflict was over – a decision that gained Abiy the prestigious award. The neighboring states were then allies in Ethiopia's recent civil war in Tigray. But diplomatic connections have later worsened anew.