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Increasing concerns have emerged over the chance of armed conflict among East African neighbors, the Ethiopian government and Eritrea, as hostile language has ratcheted up in the past few weeks.

What Did Ethiopia Said?

Landlocked Ethiopia's demands for access to the sea coast through Eritrean territory has sparked a fierce war of words.

PM Abiy Ahmed previously announced in 2023 that his country's sea access was an crucial concern, statements that Eritrean authorities rejected.

Relations between the both governments have regularly been difficult. Following a long-standing battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a 1,350km (840-mile) Red Sea coastline, officially seceded from Ethiopian rule in the early 1990s, making it without sea access.

Subsequently, a border war erupted in which more than 100,000 people lost their lives.

Recent Comments from Ethiopia's Government

Prime Minister Abiy and military leader the army commander have publicly asserted sovereignty of Eritrean southern port of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the border - and suggested the wish to take it by force.

Recently, the Prime Minister said the country's "mistake" of losing access to the Red Sea as a result of Eritrean independence would be "addressed tomorrow".

Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, ex-military officer Bacha, said that the port was "Ethiopia's wealth" and would be given back "using武力".

Eritrea's Reaction to the Statements

Amid persistent threats from Ethiopian officials, Eritrea's reaction has been restricted to brief comments on online platforms from Communications Head Yemane G..

Officials have denied Ethiopian requests for maritime entry calling it "risky" and a "toxic agenda" of "territorial claims" – a strategy of claiming back previous domains.

The information ministry warned on 16 September that attempts to justify "blatant hostility" would have major implications for Ethiopia and its neighbors and is a "boundary that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Security Activities on the Border

Currently, there are few indications of large-scale army activities in the border areas between the both nations.

However, in Ethiopia, state television has displayed training completions of numerous trainees at various military training camps.

The director of human resources department of the military, General Hachalu, recently said in an discussion that the army was in a "reliable position" as "numerous of young people" were enlisting, which he said was "a warning to our enemies".

Historical Roots of the Conflict

For over fifty years from the late 19th century, Eritrea was ruled by Italian rulers.

After Italy's defeat, it was then controlled by the British administration before becoming a federated part of Ethiopia.

However in 1962 the Ethiopian emperor cancelled this agreement and Eritrea became totally absorbed into the Ethiopian state.

A extended internal conflict followed, concluding with Ethiopia's defeat in 1991. Autonomy was then endorsed by Eritreans in a vote in 1993.

Temporarily in the 1990s, there were good relations between the authorities in Addis Ababa and Eritrea's capital, but they clashed over the specific demarcation of their shared boundary, leading to hostilities in 1998.

Though this ended in a truce in 2000, it was partially applied, and the two nations continued at in dispute.

This changed in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrea's leader Isaias Afwerki. The two endorsed a announcement that the conflict was over – a decision that won the Prime Minister the international recognition.

The both administrations were then allies in the country's recent civil war in the northern region.

Yet ties have since broken down once more.