By Horn Africa News
ASMARA — Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has issued a strong warning to Ethiopia, cautioning against the risk of renewed conflict as tensions mount in the Horn of Africa.
Relations between the two nations have remained fragile since Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. A brutal border war between 1998 and 2000 claimed tens of thousands of lives. Although the two countries signed a peace deal in 2018, mutual distrust has lingered.
The latest friction, according to Eritrean officials, stems from Ethiopia’s renewed push to secure access to a seaport — a strategic priority for the landlocked nation. This ambition has stirred concern in Asmara, reviving fears of confrontation.
In a pointed statement directed at Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Afwerki warned that Eritrea would not be intimidated by Ethiopia’s much larger population — estimated at 130 million, compared to Eritrea’s 3.5 million. He stressed that Eritrea is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty if threatened.
While there is currently no indication of imminent military escalation, analysts warn that the region’s volatile history and unresolved disputes make the situation highly precarious. Global attention is now turning toward diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and avoid a repeat of past violence.
The Horn of Africa remains a strategically significant yet deeply unstable region, where historic grievances and geopolitical rivalries continue to fuel uncertainty.
