Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed warned Eritrea of severe consequences if it ignores Ethiopia’s appeals, as fighting and a new federal administration in Tigray add to strain between the neighbors.
In a Tigrinya-language address Monday, Abiy called for better relations with Eritrea and objected to its involvement in Ethiopia, AFP reported. He said Eritrea’s role as a base for Ethiopia’s opponents “will not bring benefits,” then separately warned that ignoring Ethiopia’s appeals would have “very, very, very severe consequences.”
The remarks followed weeks of fighting in the northern region. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) launched an offensive against Ethiopia’s federal government in September and later withdrew from cities it had held, AFP reported. AFP also reported that Eritrea backed the TPLF and sent thousands of troops into Ethiopian territory. The TPLF had governed Tigray for decades and previously ruled Ethiopia before Abiy took office in 2018, AFP said.
Eritrea has rejected Ethiopia’s allegations of hostile acts. On Oct. 1, Eritrea’s Foreign Ministry said the country had severed diplomatic relations with Ethiopia and accused Addis Ababa of aggression. Eritrea’s Ministry of Information has blamed Ethiopia’s pursuit of Red Sea access for the crisis; that is Eritrea’s account.
Ethiopian federal authorities installed a new administration in Tigray on Friday, AFP reported. Shishay Amare, Mekelle’s new mayor, told AFP Monday that officials plan to hold regional elections within six months. The move follows the six-month election goal for Tigray’s new federal administration.
The neighbors’ 2018 joint declaration ended their state of war and outlined steps to rebuild links in diplomacy, transport and trade. The U.S. Department of State said Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Abiy to ease tensions and pursue talks under that agreement during a call on Oct. 14.
