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Mounting apprehensions are present over the potential of military engagement among East African neighbours, the Ethiopian government and Eritrea, as hostile language has ratcheted up in the past few weeks.

What Has Ethiopia Stated?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, calls for entry to the sea coast through Eritrean territory has sparked a fierce war of words.

PM Abiy Ahmed previously announced in the previous year that his nation's access to the sea was an vital issue, comments that Eritrean authorities dismissed.

Relations between the both governments have regularly been difficult. Following a decades-long struggle for freedom, Eritrea, which has a long maritime frontage, officially seceded from Ethiopian rule in 1993, leaving it cut off from the sea.

Subsequently, a territorial conflict erupted in which numerous people were killed.

Recent Statements from Ethiopian Government

Abiy and army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have publicly asserted control of Eritrean coastal city of the port of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the boundary - and hinted at the desire to capture it through military means.

On 1 September, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia's "blunder" of losing entry to the Red Sea as a because of Eritrean independence would be "corrected in the future".

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

Eritrean Reaction to the Threats

Despite persistent challenges from Ethiopia, Asmara's position has been restricted to concise remarks on X from Communications Head Yemane G..

Officials have denied Ethiopia's demand for access to the Red Sea calling it "risky" and a "toxic agenda" of "territorial claims" – a approach of reclaiming previous domains.

Eritrean authorities cautioned on 16 September that attempts to validate "obvious provocation" would have significant repercussions for the Ethiopian government and its regional partners and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Military Activities on the Ground

Currently, there are little evidence of major military movements in the border areas between the both nations.

However, in Ethiopia, state television has displayed graduation ceremonies of many recruits at multiple army bases.

The head of staff section of the military, the officer, commented lately in an discussion that the military was in a "strong stance" as "tens of thousands of young people" were entering service, which he said was "a signal to our adversaries".

Historical Background of the Dispute

For more than half a century from 1890, Eritrea was governed by Italian colonisers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then managed by the UK forces before evolving into a integrated region of Ethiopia.

Yet in the early 1960s the ruler cancelled this arrangement and the region became completely integrated into Ethiopia.

A extended internal conflict occurred, ending with Ethiopia's defeat in 1991. Independence was then endorsed by the population in a plebiscite in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were friendly connections between the authorities in Addis Ababa and Eritrea's capital, but they disagreed over the precise positioning of their common border, resulting in hostilities in 1998.

Although this finished in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the two nations stayed at in dispute.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrea's leader Isaias Afwerki. The two agreed to a announcement that the conflict was finished – a decision that earned Abiy the prestigious award.

The both administrations were then cooperators in the country's 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray.

Yet ties have since broken down again.