Eritrea has forcefully rejected accusations made by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, who alleged that Asmara was destabilizing the Horn of Africa. Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Ghebremeskel, dismissed the claims on X (formerly Twitter) as fabrications designed to divert blame for Ethiopia’s internal crises. His response came on February 18, 2025, a day after the article accusing Eritrea was published.
The Pancea does not Lie in Externalizing the Conflict or Scapegoating Eritrea
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”. Audacious claim is…
— Yemane G. Meskel 🇪🇷 (@hawelti) February 18, 2025
In an opinion piece for Al Jazeera, Mulatu accused Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki of exploiting divisions within Ethiopia’s Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and undermining the 2022 Pretoria Peace Accord. However, Minister Yemane refuted these allegations, asserting that Eritrea has no stake in Ethiopia’s internal affairs and attributing regional unrest to Ethiopia’s own policies.
Regarding the 1998-2000 border dispute, Minister Yemane argued that the conflict was precipitated by Ethiopia’s occupation of Eritrean territory, including Badme, in defiance of international rulings. He also rejected claims that Eritrea played a destabilizing role in Ethiopia’s 2020 civil war, stating that Asmara was drawn into the conflict only after Eritrean cities were attacked by TPLF forces. He emphasized that Eritrea’s involvement was based on a 2018 security treaty with Ethiopia.
Minister Yemane also criticized Ethiopia’s recent statements about gaining access to the Red Sea, warning that Addis Ababa’s approach risked escalating tensions. He pointed to Ethiopia’s ongoing internal conflicts, including the war in the Amhara region and its contentious port deal with Somaliland, as key drivers of regional instability.
“The solution doesn’t lie in shunning responsibilities and accusing Eritrea,” said Yemane, reaffirming Eritrea’s sovereignty and its stance against foreign aggression.
