The government of Eritrea has denounced Ethiopia’s access to the sea by force, stating that it has reached a dangerous point to destabilise the whole region.
The Eritrean Ministry of Information in a statement released on Wednesday renewed its warning that the Ethiopian government’s agenda of pursuing a maritime ambition by any means will cause a dangerous crisis in the region.
The statement published in Tigrina language on the official website of the ministry elaborated to Eritreans as to why Ethiopia’s move is a dangerous one.
“The dangerous and irresponsible sea access agenda has posed a threat in the region, and it has particularly posed danger to Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the statement from the ministry.
Over the past few months, Eritrea has been officially reacting to statements and rhetoric from Ethiopia’s ruling party officials and military commanders.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently said Ethiopia’s maritime ambition is an easier task compared to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He said so days before the inauguration of the project on September 9.
Eritrea sees intensifying rhetoric for access to the sea as something that violates its sovereignty. It also argues that the claim for sea access does not have a historical or legal basis.
Large but landlocked, Ethiopia has long sought ownership of a port on the Red Sea coast, arguing that this is a historical right and essential to its future prosperity and development.
Political experts say Ethiopia’s renewed drive for a seaport or naval base, through diplomacy or force, risks sparking conflict with its neighbours and dismantling a key 2018 peace deal.
The Ethiopian government is allegedly motivated by the need to deflect criticism over domestic conflicts and an economic crisis.
Senior Ethiopian military commanders made claims, over the past two weeks, over the port of Assab which is Eritrean territory.
They argued that Assab was an autonomous region when a referendum was held for the secession of Eritrea in 1993.
MG/as/APA
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