The Eritrean Ministry of Information has characterized allegations that Asmara is collaborating with Egypt to further Cairo’s interests in the Horn of Africa as “hysterical commotion” following a recent visit to the Egyptian capital by Isaias Afwerki.
In a social media post this week, Eritrean information minister Yemane Gebremeskel stated the five-day presidential visit was a routine part of Asmara’s diplomatic engagements.
His statement further accused the Ethiopian government of pursuing “belligerent, reckless and unlawful policies” under the banner of securing sovereign access to the sea.
The comments come in the wake of a parliamentary address by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) last week, in which he characterized Ethiopia’s demand for access to the Red Sea as an “irreversible national interest” and an “existential question.”
From The Reporter Magazine
The PM stressed that this goal should be pursued through “peaceful means and international mediation”, emphasizing that Ethiopia has no intention of going to war with Eritrea and believes the issue can be resolved through dialogue and law.
Abiy described the quest for sea access as a “legitimate, historical, and economic concern” and a “matter of survival” for Ethiopia. He also questioned the legal basis for Ethiopia losing its coastline when Eritrea gained independence in 1993, citing a lack of official processes or records.
Meanwhile, during his recent visit to Egypt, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki stated in an interview with Cairo News that “the security of the Red Sea and the presence of military bases within the region is fundamentally the responsibility of neighboring states”.
From The Reporter Magazine
He also emphasized that these nations should secure the crucial waterway themselves before any external party involvement is necessary.
Isaias argued that littoral countries, including Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia, possess the capability to protect their own maritime borders.
According to him, foreign alternatives are mechanisms that facilitate the pursuit of special interests, often at the expense of the well-being and stability of the region’s population.
“Allowing military bases is inviting cause for problems for the region’s people and the waterway,” he said.
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