Mr. Mulatu Teshome, former Ethiopian president and close aide to Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, recently published an article in Al Jazeera accusing Eritrea of destabilizing Ethiopia and the broader region. These claims are not only baseless but also divert attention from Ethiopia’s own actions, which pose a far greater threat to regional peace and stability. Ethiopia remains mired in ethnic conflict, political repression, and internal unrest, yet it attempts to shift blame onto Eritrea without presenting any substantive evidence. This diversionary tactic is designed to obscure Ethiopia’s deepening political and economic crises. The reality, however, tells a different story.
What makes Ethiopia’s accusations even more perplexing is that the two countries signed a peace and cooperation agreement. More critically, Ethiopia—or at least its current government—might not have survived the recent Tigray civil war had it not been for Eritrea’s decisive role in neutralizing the TPLF. Instead of acknowledging this, Ethiopia has escalated tensions with Eritrea, undermining regional stability.
First, Ethiopia’s state-controlled media systematically propagates narratives aimed at destabilizing Eritrea. Furthermore, it openly harbors both armed and unarmed Eritrean opposition groups in blatant violation of the 2018 Peace Agreement signed in Asmara and Jeddah. Ethiopia’s actions signal an overt attempt at regime change in Eritrea—an act of provocation that threatens Eritrea’s sovereignty. Despite having every justification to retaliate, Eritrea has exercised restraint.
Second, Ethiopia’s persistent assertions of a so-called “historical right” to the Red Sea raise alarming concerns. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared Ethiopia’s need for a seaport as “existential,” insinuating that military action remains an option. Such rhetoric disregards colonial treaties and international law, posing a direct threat not only to Eritrea but to the entire region. Ethiopia lost access to the Red Sea in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence through a UN-monitored referendum, in which 99.8% of Eritreans voted in favor. The 1900, 1902, and 1908 colonial treaties signed between Ethiopia and European powers—including Italy and Britain—clearly define Eritrea’s borders, rendering Ethiopia’s claims legally indefensible.
A glaring example of Ethiopia’s expansionist ambitions is its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a move widely condemned as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additionally, Ethiopia has been accused of meddling in Sudan’s civil war, allegedly supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and exacerbating instability. Reports from the United Nations indicate that Ethiopia has provided logistical and military support to factions engaged in the Sudanese conflict, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
In stark contrast to Ethiopia’s destabilizing maneuvers, Eritrea has played a constructive role in fostering regional stability. In Somalia, Eritrea has actively contributed to rebuilding the country’s security forces by training thousands of Somali troops—efforts welcomed by Somalia’s federal government. This stands in direct opposition to Ethiopia’s controversial involvement, often perceived as self-serving. Likewise, Eritrea has maintained a neutral stance in Sudan, advocating for peace negotiations rather than fueling the conflict. Unlike Ethiopia, which has been implicated in arming factions, Eritrea has worked to facilitate dialogue between Sudan’s warring parties.
Furthermore, Ethiopia’s own internal crises, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions, underscore its fragility. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented widespread human rights violations, including mass killings, forced displacements, and internet blackouts—symptomatic of a worsening crisis within Ethiopia itself.
Given these realities, it is clear that Ethiopia, not Eritrea, is the primary force threatening peace in the Horn of Africa. The international community must acknowledge this and apply diplomatic pressure where it is truly needed. Ethiopia’s repeated breaches of international agreements, expansionist ambitions, and interference in neighboring nations make it a destabilizing actor in the region. If left unchecked, its reckless policies could plunge the region into deeper conflict.
