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Growing worries exist over the chance of armed conflict between Horn of Africa countries, Ethiopia and Eritrea, as confrontational rhetoric has escalated in the last month.

What Has Ethiopia Stated?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, requests for passage to the maritime outlet through Eritrea has provoked a heated rhetorical conflict.

The Ethiopian leader first openly declared in the previous year that his nation's access to the sea was an crucial concern, comments that Eritrean authorities dismissed.

Relations between the neighboring nations have regularly been difficult. Following a prolonged fight for sovereignty, the Eritrean state, which has a extensive maritime frontage, legally broke away from Ethiopian rule in 1993, leaving it cut off from the sea.

Subsequently, a territorial conflict started in which more than 100,000 people lost their lives.

Current Remarks from Ethiopian Leadership

Prime Minister Abiy and military leader the army commander have directly stated ownership of Eritrean maritime facility of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the boundary - and suggested the desire to seize it militarily.

Recently, Abiy said Ethiopia's "mistake" of losing entry to the sea as a due to Eritrea secession would be "addressed tomorrow".

The Ethiopian envoy to neighboring Kenya, retired Gen Bacha Debele, said that the port was "Ethiopia's wealth" and would be restored "by force".

Eritrean Response to the Threats

Amid ongoing challenges from Ethiopia, Eritrea's reaction has been limited to brief comments on social media from Communications Head Yemane Gebremeskel.

Officials have denied Ethiopian requests for maritime entry labeling it "risky" and a "negative policy" of "territorial claims" – a policy of reclaiming previous domains.

Government spokespeople cautioned on 16 September that attempts to justify "flagrant aggression" would have major implications for the Ethiopian government and its neighbouring countries and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Security Movements on the Region

Currently, there are little evidence of significant troop deployments in the frontier regions between the neighboring states.

Nevertheless, in the country, state television has displayed graduation ceremonies of many recruits at various military training camps.

The head of staff section of the armed forces, General Hachalu, stated recently in an interview that the defense forces was in a "secure situation" as "tens of thousands of youths" were enlisting, which he said was "a signal to our enemies".

Historical Origins of the Dispute

For decades from the late 19th century, the territory was administered by colonial powers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then managed by the British military before evolving into a associated territory of the Ethiopian empire.

Yet in the early 1960s the ruler terminated this system and Eritrea became fully incorporated into the Ethiopian state.

A thirty-year armed struggle occurred, concluding with the government's loss in 1991. Autonomy was then confirmed by voters in a referendum in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were friendly connections between the authorities in Ethiopia's capital and Asmara, but they fell out over the specific demarcation of their mutual frontier, resulting in war in 1998.

Even though this ended in a peace deal in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the neighbors remained at odds.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrea's leader the president. The both leaders signed a declaration that the hostilities was concluded – a decision that gained the Prime Minister the international recognition.

The both administrations were then partners in the country's 2020-2022 armed struggle in Tigray.

However relations have since broken down anew.