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Growing concerns are present over the possibility of armed conflict among Horn of Africa countries, the Ethiopian government and Eritrea, as hostile discourse has intensified in the past few weeks.

What Has Ethiopia Said?

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

PM Abiy Ahmed previously announced in the previous year that his nation's access to the sea was an crucial concern, comments that Eritrea dismissed.

Ties between the two countries have regularly been difficult. After a long-standing battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, legally broke away from Ethiopia in 1993, making it without sea access.

Subsequently, a military clash started in which numerous people died.

Recent Remarks from Ethiopia's Officials

Prime Minister Abiy and military leader Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have publicly asserted control of Eritrean coastal city of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the frontier - and hinted at the wish to seize it militarily.

On 1 September, the Prime Minister said the country's "error" of losing entry to the sea as a due to Eritrea secession would be "rectified soon".

The Ethiopian envoy to neighboring Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that the port was "Ethiopia's wealth" and would be restored "by force".

Eritrean Reaction to the Claims

In the face of persistent challenges from Ethiopian officials, Eritrea's reaction has been restricted to brief comments on online platforms from Communications Head Yemane Gebremeskel.

He has rejected Ethiopian requests for maritime entry labeling it "risky" and a "negative policy" of "expansionism" – a policy of claiming back lost territory.

The information ministry cautioned on mid-September that attempts to justify "flagrant aggression" would have major implications for the Ethiopian government and its neighbors and is a "limit that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Military Activities on the Region

So far, there are no reports of large-scale army activities in the boundary zones between the two countries.

Nonetheless, in Ethiopia, state television has broadcast training completions of numerous trainees at different defense facilities.

The head of human resources department of the defense force, General Hachalu, stated recently in an conversation that the defense forces was in a "reliable position" as "numerous of young people" were joining it, which he said was "a message to our adversaries".

Past Background of the Tension

For decades from the late 19th century, the territory was ruled by Italian rulers.

After World War II, it was then managed by the UK forces before evolving into a associated territory of Ethiopia.

But in the early 1960s the Ethiopian emperor cancelled this arrangement and Eritrea became totally absorbed into the Ethiopian state.

A extended internal conflict ensued, concluding with Ethiopia's defeat in 1991. Sovereignty was then approved by voters in a referendum in 1993.

Temporarily in the 1990s, there were positive ties between the authorities in Addis Ababa and Asmara, but they disagreed over the specific demarcation of their shared boundary, causing hostilities in 1998.

Although this concluded in a peace deal in 2000, it was partially applied, and the neighbors remained at in dispute.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made gestures to Eritrean President the president. The both leaders agreed to a statement that the hostilities was concluded – a move that won Abiy the prestigious award.

The both administrations were then cooperators in Ethiopia's recent armed struggle in Tigray.

But ties have since broken down anew.