Relations in the Horn of Africa have reached a dangerous tipping point as Ethiopia formally ordered neighbouring Eritrea to “immediately withdraw” its military forces from Ethiopian territory.
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In a formal letter dated February 7, 2026, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos accused Asmara of escalating hostilities through “outright aggression” and territorial incursions along their shared northeastern and northwestern borders.
The Ethiopian government further alleged that Eritrean forces have been conducting joint military maneuvers with local rebel groups and supplying them with weaponry to destabilize the region.
This development marks a significant rupture between the two nations, which were allies during the Tigray War (2020–2022) but have since seen their relationship sour over border disputes and Ethiopia’s renewed push for sovereign access to the Red Sea.
While Eritrea has previously dismissed such claims as “false flags” intended to justify a new war, international observers warn that the current rhetoric is the most hostile seen since the 2018 peace deal.
Despite the tension, Addis Ababa maintains that it remains open to dialogue, suggesting that a troop withdrawal could pave the way for negotiations on maritime affairs, including access to the Port of Assab.
CULLED FROM BBC
