U.S. Urges Restraint Amid Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged de-escalation in the Horn of Africa amidst renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia and heightened tensions with neighboring Eritrea. Rubio communicated this call during a phone conversation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for dialogue aligned with the 2018 peace agreement between the two nations.

The recent surge in conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region has significantly undermined a 2022 peace accord that concluded a protracted two-year war. Ethiopia has alleged that Eritrean troops have occupied parts of its territory, while Eritrea has characterized Ethiopia's actions as a declaration of war.

Human Rights Watch has reported civilian casualties from shelling in southern Tigray, with Laetitia Bader, the organization's deputy Africa director, noting that some health facilities have been forced to close. Bader called for independent monitoring, the restoration of communications, and unimpeded humanitarian access. The reports did not specify who was responsible for the shelling.

Near the border, residents reported that Eritrean soldiers withdrew from Fatsi, a town approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Ethiopian border town of Zalambessa, on Monday. A taxi driver from Zalambessa stated that Eritrean soldiers departed heading toward the border, with no active fighting in Fatsi. Ethiopian federal forces subsequently moved into the town, according to his account.

In a letter to the UN Security Council, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos accused Eritrea of deploying troops across the border and stated that Ethiopia was undertaking self-defense measures. The minister did not provide specifics on these measures, identify the occupied areas, or offer evidence for the allegations. The Eritrean Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh, urged the council to condemn Ethiopia's actions, which he described as a "deplorable declaration of war," without confirming or denying the alleged troop movements.

Rubio conveyed to Abiy that "all countries in the Horn of Africa must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their neighbors and avoid cross-border incursions." The dispute is also linked to Ethiopia's long-standing desire for access to the Red Sea, a need amplified since Eritrea gained independence in 1993, rendering Ethiopia landlocked.

Ethiopian government-allied fighters entered Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, last week after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front announced its withdrawal. Ethiopian Airlines had previously suspended flights to Mekelle for several days but resumed service on Sunday.