Eritrea’s Information Minister has accused Ethiopia of delivering contradictory messages to the international community and its domestic audience regarding the Red Sea access dispute, deepening concerns over Addis Ababa’s strategic intentions in the region.
According to the minister, Ethiopia’s foreign minister briefed diplomatic missions this week using what he described as “softened” language, framing Ethiopia’s renewed Red Sea campaign as an act of self-defense and peaceful necessity. The message, delivered in English, appeared designed to reassure foreign partners amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa.
However, the minister pointed to sharply different comments made inside Ethiopia. A senior Ethiopian general, speaking in Amharic to domestic actors, urged armed groups to temporarily ease their operations to allow the Ethiopian National Defense Force to “prepare for a larger mission.” The minister argued that such statements suggest mobilization rather than de-escalation.
Eritrea interprets the divergence as part of a pattern in which Ethiopian officials present a diplomatic façade externally while broadcasting a more aggressive tone internally. The minister stated that this “two-track messaging” has become a central feature of Ethiopia’s sea-access campaign, raising questions about Addis Ababa’s real intentions.
The remarks come at a time when Ethiopia has intensified its calls for guaranteed maritime access, a campaign that has unsettled neighbors and drawn warnings from legal experts who note that the Red Sea issue is governed by established international law.
Eritrea maintains that its sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable and that the Red Sea cannot be treated as a bargaining chip to resolve Ethiopia’s internal political pressures. The minister’s comments reflect a broader concern in Asmara that Ethiopia’s shifting rhetoric may be masking preparations for a more confrontational approach.
Regional observers say mixed messaging increases the risk of miscalculation at a time when the Horn of Africa is already burdened by political volatility and unresolved conflicts. Eritrea has urged clarity, consistency and adherence to international law as the only reliable path to regional stability.
