Ethiopia warns Eritrea of ​​"severe consequences" if it continues to support the rebels

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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Monday warned Eritrea of ​​facing "severe consequences" if it continued to support rebel groups in his country, following battles that ended with the decline of the Tigray People's Liberation Front and its loss of control over the region located in northern Ethiopia.

According to Agence France-Presse, Abiy Ahmed's warning came during a speech he delivered in the Tigrinya language, after weeks of confrontations that broke out following an attack by Tigray rebels on the federal government last month.

Addressing Eritrea, the Ethiopian Prime Minister said: “Becoming a base for Ethiopia’s enemies instead of being partners in development will not bring benefits,” adding that ignoring his country’s calls will have “very, very, very serious consequences.”

Abiy Ahmed accused the Tigray People's Liberation Front of not adhering to the Pretoria Peace Agreement, and refused to hand over its weapons and integrate its fighters, considering that it took advantage of the calm period to purchase new weapons, receive external support, and forcefully recruit young people.

He stressed his government's commitment to achieving peace in the region, calling on the military and political leaders of the Front to surrender peacefully.

Agence France-Presse reported that Tigray rebels were forced to withdraw from the cities of the region, after being subjected to intense strikes by drones, while a new administration appointed by the federal government was installed on Friday.

The new mayor of Mekele, Shishay Amare, told the agency that the authorities intend to hold elections within 6 months.

He explained that the new administration's mission is to create the appropriate conditions for the elections, by ensuring peace and stability throughout Tigray.

In reference to the decline in the influence of the Front, Abiy Ahmed said: “The Tigray People’s Liberation Front did not exist 50 years ago, and its existence is now coming to an end.”

He added that his government would implement development projects in the region, calling on the population to preserve their unity and institutions until an elected administration is formed.

The Ethiopian warnings come amid increasing tension with Eritrea, which Addis Ababa accused of supporting Tigray rebels and deploying thousands of soldiers inside Ethiopian territory during the recent confrontations.

On the other hand, Eritrea fears that Ethiopia, which does not have a sea port, will seek to control an outlet to the Red Sea through its territory.

Abiy Ahmed criticized the situation in Eritrea, saying that its cities were vibrant when they were part of Ethiopia, but today they have become more like “ghost cities.”

Despite his warning tone, he stressed that “good-neighborly relations and partnership are the only way forward.”

The Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022, ended a bloody war that broke out in Tigray in 2020, but disagreements regarding disarmament and the implementation of its provisions remained.

The recent developments open a new phase in the region, with control transferring to an administration appointed by the federal government, amid fears of expanding tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea.