Eritrean Minister of Information Yemane G. Meskel has refuted claims that Eritrea is stoking conflict in the Horn of Africa, instead pointing to Ethiopia’s internal issues as the primary source of regional instability.
Meskel’s statement, an opinion piece, was a response to an opinion piece written by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome Wirtu and published by Al Jazeera on Feb. 17.
“In classical fashion, Ethiopia’s former figure-head President, Mr. Mulatu Teshome, raises a false-flag alarm to accuse Eritrea for stoking a ‘new conflict in the Horn of Africa,'” Meskel wrote. “Audacious claim is precisely intended to conceal and rationalize a war-mongering agenda. The facts are otherwise crystal-clear.”
Meskel outlined several points to support his argument:
- He stated that the 1998 war between Eritrea and Ethiopia was a result of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)-led Ethiopian regime occupying sovereign Eritrean territories, including Badme and Adi Murug, in violation of international law and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) principle on colonial boundaries.
- Meskel asserted that even after the war, Ethiopia continued to occupy Eritrean territories for 20 years, breaching the Eritrean-Ethiopian Boundary Commission (EEBC) Arbitral Award. He added that Mulatu, during his presidency from 2013 to 2018, endorsed this violation of international law and the “regime change” agendas of regional destabilisation under the Melles regime.
- According to Meskel, Eritrea normalised relations with Ethiopia in 2018 after the Abiy government accepted the EEBC Award of 2002. Eritrea reciprocated to foster good relations with Ethiopia based on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Meskel said that Ethiopia became embroiled in a conflict with its Tigray region after the TPLF launched what was termed as a “War of Insurrection” on Nov. 3, 2020. Eritrea provided sanctuary to members of the Ethiopian Northern Command who escaped the TPLF’s attacks, adding that the TPLF’s plans included attacks on Eritrea.
- He said Eritrea’s involvement in the war was dictated by these circumstances and a request from the Ethiopian government. Meskel claimed that the Ethiopian government and its defence establishment had publicly acknowledged Eritrea’s role during Ethiopia’s “dark days”.
- Meskel stated that the Pretoria Agreement is an exclusive matter for the Ethiopian government and its internal parties, and Eritrea has no interest in obstructing or interfering with this internal affair.
- He said Eritrea redeployed its troops within its internationally recognised borders. However, he claimed that those who never accepted the EEBC Arbitral Award continue to make false allegations of Eritrean troop presence in “the border areas,” referring to Badme and similar territories.
- Meskel accused Ethiopia’s Federal Government of launching an unwarranted campaign of provocation against Eritrea through its agenda of acquiring ports and maritime land, “legally if possible and militarily if necessary.”
- According to Meskel, the tension caused by Ethiopia’s agreement with “Somaliland” and the ongoing conflict in the Amhara region are further elements of regional instability.
- Meskel concluded by stating that the problems in the region originate in Ethiopia, and the solution does not lie in externalising the conflict or scapegoating Eritrea.
Ethiopia’s former President Mulatu has accused Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki of attempting to exploit divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in order to undermine the Pretoria Peace Agreement, warning that his actions could reignite war in northern Ethiopia.
In the opinion piece, Mulatu claimed that Afwerki is engaged in “manoeuvres that are as destructive as they are predictable.”
Mulatu served as Ethiopia’s president from October 2013 to October 2018. He has held several diplomatic and ministerial positions, including roles as Ethiopia’s ambassador to Turkey, China, Japan, and Azerbaijan, as well as Minister of Agriculture and Speaker of the House of Federation.
