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Growing worries have emerged over the potential of military engagement between East African neighbors, Ethiopia and Eritrea, as hostile discourse has escalated in recent weeks.

What Has Ethiopian Officials Said?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, calls for access to the Red Sea through Eritrea has provoked a heated verbal exchange.

Ethiopian Prime Minister initially stated publicly in last year that his government's sea access was an existential matter, comments that Eritrea ignored.

Relations between the two countries have frequently been strained. Following a long-standing battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, legally broke away from Ethiopia in the early 1990s, making it landlocked.

Five years later, a military clash started in which more than 100,000 people died.

Recent Remarks from Ethiopia's Government

Prime Minister Abiy and army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have openly claimed ownership of Eritrea's maritime facility of the port of Assab – about 60km from the boundary - and suggested the intention to capture it through military means.

On 1 September, the Prime Minister said the country's "mistake" of losing entry to the Red Sea as a because of Eritrea secession would be "addressed soon".

Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, retired Gen Bacha Debele, said that the port was "Ethiopian property" and would be returned "using武力".

Eritrea's Response to the Statements

In the face of persistent challenges from Ethiopian officials, Asmara's position has been limited to brief comments on X from Information Minister the minister.

Officials have denied Ethiopia's demand for sea access labeling it "hazardous" and a "harmful plan" of "territorial claims" – a policy of retaking previous domains.

Eritrean authorities cautioned on mid-September that attempts to justify "blatant hostility" would have serious consequences for Ethiopia and its neighbors and is a "boundary that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Military Activities on the Region

There have been few indications of significant troop deployments in the border areas between the neighboring states.

However, in the country, national TV has broadcast completion events of thousands of cadets at different defense facilities.

The leader of staff section of the defense force, General Hachalu, recently said in an conversation that the defense forces was in a "secure situation" as "tens of thousands of recruits" were entering service, which he said was "a warning to our adversaries".

Historical Roots of the Dispute

For decades from 1890, Eritrea was governed by Italian colonisers.

Following World War II, it was then controlled by the British administration before evolving into a federated part of the Ethiopian empire.

Yet in 1962 the ruler terminated this arrangement and Eritrea became totally absorbed into Ethiopia.

A extended internal conflict followed, ending with Ethiopia's defeat in 1991. Autonomy was then approved by the population in a plebiscite in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were good relations between the governments in Ethiopia's capital and Asmara, but they clashed over the exact location of their shared boundary, leading to conflict in 1998.

Although this ended in a peace deal in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the both countries remained at loggerheads.

This ended in 2018, when the Prime Minister made gestures to Eritrea's leader Isaias Afwerki. The two signed a announcement that the hostilities was concluded – a move that earned the Prime Minister the prestigious award.

The two governments were then allies in Ethiopia's recent civil war in the northern region.

However relations have subsequently deteriorated once more.