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Growing concerns are present over the possibility of armed conflict between Horn of Africa neighbours, the Ethiopian government and the Eritrean government, as confrontational language has escalated in recent weeks.

What Did Ethiopian Officials Said?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, requests for passage to the sea coast through Eritrean territory has provoked a intense rhetorical conflict.

PM Abiy Ahmed previously announced in 2023 that his nation's maritime access was an crucial concern, statements that Eritrean authorities rejected.

Relations between the both governments have frequently been strained. After a prolonged battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a long maritime frontage, officially seceded from Ethiopia in the early 1990s, making it landlocked.

In 1998, a military clash broke out in which more than 100,000 people died.

Recent Statements from Ethiopia's Leadership

Prime Minister Abiy and military leader the army commander have publicly asserted ownership of Eritrean coastal city of the port of Assab – some 60 km from the border - and hinted at the intention to take it by force.

Recently, the Prime Minister said the country's "mistake" of losing entry to the sea as a result of Eritrea's separation would be "corrected soon".

Ethiopia's ambassador to neighboring Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "belonging to Ethiopia" and would be returned "through military action".

Eritrea's Response to the Claims

Despite persistent threats from Ethiopian officials, Eritrea's response has been limited to brief comments on social media from Communications Head Yemane Gebremeskel.

He has rejected Ethiopian requests for sea access labeling it "risky" and a "negative policy" of "irredentism" – a strategy of retaking lost territory.

Government spokespeople alerted on 16 September that efforts to justify "flagrant aggression" would have major implications for Ethiopia and its regional partners and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Defense Activities on the Border

Currently, there are little evidence of large-scale army activities in the boundary zones between the both nations.

Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, national TV has broadcast graduation ceremonies of many recruits at different defense facilities.

The director of staff section of the military, the officer, stated recently in an conversation that the defense forces was in a "reliable position" as "tens of thousands of recruits" were enlisting, which he said was "a warning to our enemies".

Historical Origins of the Dispute

For decades from 1890, the territory was governed by colonial powers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then administered by the British administration before evolving into a associated territory of Ethiopia.

But in the early 1960s the Ethiopian emperor terminated this system and the region became fully incorporated into Ethiopia.

A three-decade long civil war ensued, concluding with the government's loss in the early 1990s. Sovereignty was then confirmed by Eritreans in a referendum in 1993.

For a few years in the 1990s, there were good relations between the leadership in Addis Ababa and Asmara, but they clashed over the precise positioning of their mutual frontier, causing hostilities in 1998.

Though this ended in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the both countries stayed at odds.

This changed in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrean President the president. The two agreed to a announcement that the hostilities was finished – a move that earned Abiy the prestigious award.

The neighboring states were then partners in Ethiopia's previous armed struggle in Tigray.

But relations have since broken down again.