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Growing apprehensions exist about the possibility of warfare between East African neighbours, Ethiopia and Eritrea, as confrontational rhetoric has escalated in the past few weeks.

What Has Ethiopian Officials Stated?

Landlocked Ethiopia's calls for entry to the sea coast through Eritrean territory has provoked a intense rhetorical conflict.

The Ethiopian leader initially stated publicly in 2023 that his country's sea access was an crucial concern, comments that Eritrean authorities rejected.

Ties between the two countries have often been tense. Following a prolonged battle for independence, the Eritrean state, which has a extensive Red Sea coastline, legally broke away from Ethiopian rule in the early 1990s, making it cut off from the sea.

In 1998, a territorial conflict started in which over a hundred thousand people died.

Current Statements from Ethiopia's Officials

Prime Minister Abiy and military leader the army commander have openly claimed ownership of Eritrean coastal city of Assab – some 60 km from the boundary - and suggested the desire to capture it through military means.

Recently, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia's "error" of being denied passage to the Red Sea as a result of Eritrea secession would be "addressed tomorrow".

The Ethiopian envoy to Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "Ethiopian property" and would be restored "using武力".

Eritrean Answer to the Statements

In the face of persistent challenges from Ethiopian officials, Asmara's position has been restricted to short statements on online platforms from Communications Head Yemane Gebremeskel.

He has rejected Ethiopian requests for sea access labeling it "dangerous" and a "negative policy" of "territorial claims" – a policy of claiming back lost territory.

The information ministry warned on 16 September that attempts to justify "blatant hostility" would have major implications for the Ethiopian government and its regional partners and is a "limit that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Security Activities on the Ground

So far, there are little evidence of large-scale army activities in the frontier regions between the neighboring states.

However, in the country, government media has shown completion events of many recruits at various military training camps.

The director of personnel division of the military, the officer, commented lately in an conversation that the defense forces was in a "reliable position" as "numerous of recruits" were enlisting, which he said was "a signal to our adversaries".

Historical Background of the Tension

For more than half a century from 1890, Eritrea was governed by Italian colonisers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then controlled by the UK forces before turning into a integrated region of the Ethiopian empire.

However in the early 1960s the Ethiopian emperor terminated this system and the region became completely integrated into Ethiopia.

A extended internal conflict occurred, ending with the government's loss in 1991. Independence was then endorsed by voters in a referendum in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were friendly connections between the authorities in Ethiopia's capital and Eritrea's capital, but they clashed over the exact location of their mutual frontier, leading to conflict in 1998.

Though this ended in a peace deal in 2000, it was incompletely executed, and the neighbors stayed at odds.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrea's leader Isaias Afwerki. The both leaders endorsed a statement that the war was concluded – a decision that gained Abiy the prestigious award.

The both administrations were then allies in the country's 2020-2022 internal conflict in the northern region.

However relations have subsequently deteriorated again.