Eritrea's president warns of war as Ethiopia eyes Red Sea access
Afwerki stated that Eritrea would resist any 'human wave' military strategy by Ethiopia's larger population. Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has renewed calls for sea access through Eritrean territory.
Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a deadly war from 1998 to 2000, which claimed tens of thousands of lives. Afwerki accused Abiy of attempting to divert attention from Ethiopia's internal crises.
The president's remarks follow Ethiopia's revived seaport ambitions since early 2023.
Eritrean forces have remained present in parts of northern Ethiopia, including areas of Tigray, despite provisions in the 2022 Pretoria Agreement that required the withdrawal of all non-ENDF forces.
The Pretoria Agreement, signed on 2 November 2022, mandated the withdrawal of Eritrean and other non-federal forces from the Tigray region.
In March 2025, Ethiopia's federal army engaged in intense clashes with the Fano militia in the Amhara region, resulting in over 300 reported militia deaths.
Gerrit Kurtz, senior researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), has stated that Eritrea benefits strategically from Ethiopia's internal divisions.
Eritrean authorities have denied these allegations, labelling the reports of their military involvement as 'fabricated' and politically motivated.
According to a June 2025 report by The Sentry, Eritrean forces looted factories, gold, and cultural artefacts from the Tigray region during the war.
The report documents how looted gold and antiques were smuggled into Eritrea and monetised through state-controlled networks.
Eritrean military officials used the proceeds to finance logistics and sustain war operations in Tigray.
The United Nations imposed an arms embargo on Eritrea in 2009 under Resolution 1907, which was lifted in November 2018 following the peace agreement with Ethiopia.
In 2019, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize for initiating the peace process with Eritrea; President Isaias Afwerki was not included as a laureate.
Despite the 2022 Pretoria Agreement mandating foreign troop withdrawal, credible reports say Eritrean forces remain in northern Ethiopia, sparking regional stability concerns.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has publicly reiterated his support for peace, including fully implementing the 2022 Pretoria Agreement. However, he faces growing political pressure ahead of the 2026 national elections.
Analysts such as William Davison (International Crisis Group) and Gerrit Kurtz (SWP) warn that Abiy may exploit ongoing tensions to consolidate domestic political support.
Tigray's interim president, Getachew Reda, has called for restraint and denied any provocation from his administration amid renewed cross-regional accusations.
Factions within the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) remain divided, hindering regional diplomacy and delaying full disarmament under the peace deal.
International bodies, including the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), continue to urge inclusive dialogue to prevent a relapse into conflict.
The Horn of Africa remains geopolitically volatile, as overlapping crises in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia fuel regional instability.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Eritrea's president warns of war as Ethiopia eyes Red Sea access
Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki warned Ethiopia against launching a war over seaport access on 20 July 2025. Afwerki stated that Eritrea would resist any 'human wave' military strategy by Ethiopia's larger population. Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has renewed calls for sea access through Eritrean territory. Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a deadly war from 1998 to 2000, which claimed tens of thousands of lives. Afwerki accused Abiy of attempting to divert attention from Ethiopia's internal crises. The president's remarks follow Ethiopia's revived seaport ambitions since early 2023. Eritrean forces have remained present in parts of northern Ethiopia, including areas of Tigray, despite provisions in the 2022 Pretoria Agreement that required the withdrawal of all non-ENDF forces. The Pretoria Agreement, signed on 2 November 2022, mandated the withdrawal of Eritrean and other non-federal forces from the Tigray region. In March 2025, Ethiopia's federal army engaged in intense clashes with the Fano militia in the Amhara region, resulting in over 300 reported militia deaths. Gerrit Kurtz, senior researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), has stated that Eritrea benefits strategically from Ethiopia's internal divisions. Eritrean authorities have denied these allegations, labelling the reports of their military involvement as 'fabricated' and politically motivated. According to a June 2025 report by The Sentry, Eritrean forces looted factories, gold, and cultural artefacts from the Tigray region during the war. The report documents how looted gold and antiques were smuggled into Eritrea and monetised through state-controlled networks. Eritrean military officials used the proceeds to finance logistics and sustain war operations in Tigray. The United Nations imposed an arms embargo on Eritrea in 2009 under Resolution 1907, which was lifted in November 2018 following the peace agreement with Ethiopia. In 2019, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize for initiating the peace process with Eritrea; President Isaias Afwerki was not included as a laureate. Despite the 2022 Pretoria Agreement mandating foreign troop withdrawal, credible reports say Eritrean forces remain in northern Ethiopia, sparking regional stability concerns. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has publicly reiterated his support for peace, including fully implementing the 2022 Pretoria Agreement. However, he faces growing political pressure ahead of the 2026 national elections. Analysts such as William Davison (International Crisis Group) and Gerrit Kurtz (SWP) warn that Abiy may exploit ongoing tensions to consolidate domestic political support. Tigray's interim president, Getachew Reda, has called for restraint and denied any provocation from his administration amid renewed cross-regional accusations. Factions within the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) remain divided, hindering regional diplomacy and delaying full disarmament under the peace deal. International bodies, including the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), continue to urge inclusive dialogue to prevent a relapse into conflict. The Horn of Africa remains geopolitically volatile, as overlapping crises in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia fuel regional instability. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Sisulu Foundation slams Ntshavheni's ‘coup' remarks as 'deeply irresponsible'
In a shocking revelation, Ntshavheni claimed that the security cluster had identified potential risks of a coup in the country. The Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation has criticised Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's claim that South Africa's security services had detected a potential coup d'état. The foundation said such remarks are 'deeply irresponsible, dangerous, and, in the current political climate, reckless in the extreme.' Coup In a shocking revelation on Tuesday, Ntshavheni claimed that the security cluster had identified potential risks of a coup in the country. Ntshavheni said the State Security Agency (SSA) and all relevant law enforcement agencies are actively working to prevent any uprisings or violent protests, similar to those seen during the July 2021 unrest. 'Irresponsible' The Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation slammed Ntshavheni, saying the coup claims are 'irresponsible, dangerous and damaging to South Africa's democracy.' 'To utter such claims on the parliamentary record—without presenting evidence, without public briefing, and without accountability—is not merely careless; it verges on fearmongering by executive design. 'Let's be clear: this statement was made in the immediate aftermath of the suspension, on paid leave, of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, a key ally of President Ramaphosa, whose name has become entangled in serial allegations of political interference and suppression of forensic investigations,' the foundation claimed. ALSO READ: Are we safe? Ntshavheni says security cluster detected potential risks of a coup [VIDEO] 'Damning' The foundation claimed the timing of Ntshavheni's statement is 'damning.' 'It arrives just as public scrutiny of the president's handling of the police crisis reaches fever pitch. The appointment of a non-MP acting police minister (within his powers), the creation of yet another judicial commission (the fifth of his presidency), and the president's silence on Phala Phala have already enraged citizens. No wonder trust is collapsing. 'Ntshavheni's coup narrative functions as a classic deflection tactic—to distract public and parliamentary attention from real accountability questions. Instead of answers, we get an unverified claim of a coup attempt, floated in the most public forum of the land, then immediately dropped with no follow-up.' It said. Parliament must act The foundation said Parliament has a duty to act against Ntshavheni. Ntshavheni must be held accountable for her statements. If she has the intelligence to substantiate her remarks, she must provide it. 'If she does not, then her words should be withdrawn—and censured. The legislature must reclaim its oversight function and reassert the supremacy of constitutional order over political theatre,' the foundation said. The foundation said South Africans have a right to 'demand better: truth, transparency, and constitutional accountability. Not paranoia, not spin, not distraction. And certainly not ministers weaponising fear from the floor of Parliament.' ALSO READ: 'Ramaphosa will go down in history as one of the most useless presidents' – analyst
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
Operation Dudula wanting to know why organisations prioritise foreign nationals
Operation Dudula have questioned the intentions of non-profit organisations and civil rights groups defending illegal migrants. Operation Dudula are taking their illegal migration fight to the steps of organisations they deem to be sympathetic to foreign nationals. The pro-South African movement marched through Johannesburg and Durban on Thursday to deliver memoranda to two organisations. Operation Dudula consider the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (Seri) to be the leading protectors of illegal foreign migrants. Alleged foreign preference A wall of police officers was required to separate Operation Dudula protestors and counter-protesters in Johannesburg on Thursday. Operation Dudula were on their way to Seri's offices, whom they accuse of using litigation to defend the interests of foreign nationals in contravention of South African law. Operation Dudula spokesperson Zandile Dabula stated that the marches are aimed at asking why these organisations prioritise foreign nationals over South Africans. Dabula stated that the organisation wanted Seri and SAHRC not to side with foreign nationals blindly, but to treat South African complaints with legitimacy. 'They should also go out to communities to find out what the real issues are. They are not really looking into matters that are affecting citizens of this country,' Dabula told The Citizen. 'We do know they are being funded by non-South Africans, but their role is to advocate for South Africans,' she added. Seri's funders include, among others, Open Society Foundations, Global Affairs Canada, Norweigan People's Aid and San-Francisco-based Cameron Schrier Foundation. 'Dudula a threat' The SAHRC told The Citizen that they would study Operation Dudula's memorandum before commenting, and Seri representatives referred questions to their head of litigation, who had not responded by the time of publication. Equal rights groups that receive legal support from Seri released a joint statement in solidarity with their fight against discrimination. 'Xenophobia is not only driven by fear and prejudice, it is a direct assault on human dignity and the universal rights enshrined in our Constitution,' stated Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia spokesperson Mike Ndlovu. He described Operation Dudula's actions as 'intimidation', stating that they will remain resolute in defence of human rights. 'Operation Dudula is a threat, not only to migrants, but to all who believe in freedom, equality, and constitutionalism.' 'Its actions rely on and reinforce a system of violence, exclusion, and scapegoating reminiscent of apartheid,' conclude Ndlovu. 'Not xenophobic' Dabula reiterated that these organisations were not responding to complaints about foreign nationals victimising South Africans. 'Do they even have the country's best interests at heart, or do they just want to see this country go down the drain?' she asked. Dabula also wanted organisations to stop labelling Operation Dudula xenophobic and inhumane, stressing that they did not target individuals or nationalities. 'We are just against the illegality and how they conduct themselves when they come here because our buildings have been taken over and our children are dying,' she said. 'We are not against our brothers and sisters, but we have a problem with illegality and criminality. We just want what is best for South Africans, and we will not stop,' Dabula concluded. NOW READ: NGOs say foreigners in SA told to return to their countries when opening cases against Operation Dudula
