In a post shared on platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning, Minister Yemane criticized what he described as “a perilous obsession” by certain political actors in Ethiopia, accusing them of repackaging territorial ambitions under various rhetorical forms—including historical and legal arguments, as well as provocative statements.
“This is a political blasphemy of the highest order,” Minister Yemane wrote. “It is a red line that should not be contemplated or crossed.”
The statement follows a communique released by NAMA after its 3rd General Assembly, in which the party accused Eritrea of acting in coordination with groups aiming to destabilize Ethiopia. NAMA further questioned the legitimacy of Eritrea’s independence in 1993, describing the process as flawed and claiming that the loss of Ethiopia’s access to the sea constituted a major historical and strategic error.
NAMA’s remarks align with recent statements by Ethiopia’s federal leadership, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has emphasized Ethiopia’s need to secure access to the Red Sea, characterizing it as a matter of national survival. The party called for the issue of sea access to be elevated to a core national priority.
While NAMA reiterated that it does not support armed solutions to political challenges, its assertion that Eritrea’s actions are contributing to instability drew criticism from Asmara. Eritrean authorities maintain that the country has refrained from interference in Ethiopia’s internal affairs and assert that Eritrea’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Observers note that the language used by NAMA—especially the revisiting of Eritrea’s independence and port access—has raised tensions and introduced new concerns about the direction of Ethiopia’s political discourse regarding its neighbors.
The Eritrean government has repeatedly warned against what it sees as revisionist rhetoric aimed at undermining established international borders. Tuesday’s statement by Minister Yemane reaffirms Eritrea’s position that any attempts to question its territorial integrity will be treated as unacceptable.
Setit Media will continue to monitor developments on this issue and its regional implications.
