Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos | ena.net
Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos sent a sharply worded letter to his Eritrean counterpart on February 7, saying Eritrean forces had been present along parts of Ethiopia’s northwestern border for an extended period and alleging they have provided material support to armed groups operating inside Ethiopia.
Timothewos described the alleged joint military activities and border “incursion” as “not just provocations but acts of outright aggression,” calling on Eritrea to halt all collaboration with rebels and pull back its forces immediately. The demand reflects mounting tensions between the two countries, whose fragile peace has come under strain since Eritrea was excluded from the 2022 peace accord that ended Ethiopia’s devastating Tigray war.
Relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara have been volatile for decades, shaped by a brutal border war from 1998 to 2000 and shifting alliances during internal Ethiopian conflicts. Eritrea once fought alongside Ethiopian federal troops against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, but cooperation frayed after the peace deal, and Ethiopia’s recent accusations mark a sharp deterioration in ties.
Eritrea has strongly rejected Ethiopia’s claims, calling the allegations of troop deployment and support for rebels “false and fabricated.” Asmara’s Information Ministry said the accusations form part of a recurring pattern of hostile rhetoric and insisted it has no desire to escalate tensions. Eritrean officials emphasised they would not be drawn into “meaningless acrimony” and rejected the premise of Ethiopia’s demands.
The diplomatic exchange comes amid renewed clashes in Ethiopia’s northern regions, where federal troops are confronting insurgent groups in areas bordering Eritrea. Analysts say the recent violence is the most serious flare-up since the 2020–22 civil war, which killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. The possibility of Eritrean forces being drawn into a fresh confrontation has heightened fears of a broader regional crisis.
United Nations rights officials have also weighed in, urging both Ethiopia and Eritrea to de-escalate the situation and warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia if tensions escalate further. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for urgent steps to prevent a deepening conflict and protect civilians amid ongoing fighting.
Ethiopia’s demand for an immediate troop withdrawal sets the stage for a potential diplomatic standoff, with both sides entrenched in opposing narratives. As regional leaders and international organisations monitor developments, the Horn of Africa faces mounting uncertainty over whether diplomatic engagement or renewed confrontation will shape the coming weeks.
