Ethiopia ‘is not drawn to war’ | Thoughts

A recent article by Ethiopian officials Redwan Hussein and Getachew Reda, published on the website of Al Jazeera English, tries to portray Ethiopia as an innocent being “drawn” into conflict with reluctant foreign actors. In doing so, the party aims to rid the ruling Prosperity Party of Ethiopia’s growing crisis.

More alarmingly, the story serves as a smokescreen designed to end the unprovoked hatred, pro-government rhetoric and the emboldening of the brutal military forces that the Ethiopian government has targeted Eritrea since the end of 2023.

In an attempt to recast today’s internal conflicts as the direct result of externalities or past unresolved grievances, the Ethiopian security issue represents a radical and dangerous shift in reality. It obscures the real drivers of instability in the region to shield federal officials from international scrutiny.

The terrible war that has been going on in northern Ethiopia for two years, from the time it took place on November 4, 2020, to the signing of the ceasefire agreement on November 2, 2022, was not caused by foreign fraud or border crossing. It was the result of Ethiopia’s long-standing inter-ethnic conflicts and political divisions, not any external manipulation.

History proves that Eritrea did not initiate the conflict, nor did it set up a plan to strengthen Ethiopia’s territories. Instead, Eritrea was reluctantly drawn into a ceasefire at the express request and official invitation of the federal government of Ethiopia and for legitimate reasons of self-defense.

Indeed, the main objectives of the war included targeting the sovereignty and integrity of Eritrea since its inception. This truth is not a matter of speculative interpretation; it is an unchangeable part of human history.

Getachew’s public statements and the many factual articles he wrote on X during these tragic years easily prove that Eritrea’s mission was a deliberate, premeditated process by the armed forces rather than an accident by the domestic police.

Following the cessation of hostilities, the political and military leadership of the Prosperity Party, from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed down, deeply and publicly expressed their deep gratitude to Eritrea. This appreciation was done through government speeches, parliamentary debates, government publications and comments by military officials. For Redwan and the Prosperity Party officials to turn the Eritrean nation into a hereditary enemy or a constant destroyer of family peace is against the written record.

The tendency to want to repeat is also shown by the love stories published by Getachew and Redwan about the difficult places during the peace talks in Pretoria. All the officials have made a theatrical and false story about the confusion of their hosts in South Africa, who say they are afraid that “the groups that are negotiating in the two warring Ethiopian groups may fight inside the conference hall if they are not constantly shepherding them to separate”.

According to the made-up story, the audience was shocked to see the “good voice”. This story of a sudden, miraculous reconciliation between bitter enemies serves a false purpose: it portrays the Pretoria Agreement as a triumph of domestic unity over foreign division.

However, this article ignores the fact that a few months before the start of negotiations in South Africa, secret communications had already taken place in Djibouti and Seychelles with the help of foreign mediators. As Getachew himself admitted, the warring parties had already established communication channels while the war was still going on.

Intentionally guided by the elements of the Prosperity Party, the two parties explored ways to unite and direct their forces in the war against Eritrea. In their conflicted views, an independent and stable Eritrea became a major threat to their political agenda.

When the Permanent Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities was signed, it was understood as a peace agreement between the warring factions within Ethiopia. It is, and remains, an Ethiopian story, hopefully and uniquely. His laws concern the constitution, the disarmament of the armed forces, and the restoration of the government.

Eritrea’s position in relation to Pretoria remains stable and stable. It supports all efforts that promote peace, stability, and predictability in Ethiopia and the region as a whole. A peaceful, stable, and united Ethiopia that respects the sovereignty of its neighbors is in the best interest of any country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea does not have the political will or interest to hinder cooperation between the Ethiopian armed forces. A peaceful, united, and stable Ethiopia that respects its neighbors is at the core of the security of any country in the region.

Based on this, the propaganda campaign and the publicity efforts, as described in the recent article, have been systematically designed to re-establish the irrefutable policy of conflict and hatred that Addis Ababa has unleashed against Eritrea since December 2023.

At this time, the Prosperity Party suddenly changed its slogan, launching a campaign based on what it called “an independent approach to the seas”. In order to provide proof of the unacceptable and incorrect stories in this history, the ruling party has gathered many state-sponsored weapons. Educators, researchers, television presenters, cultural and academic teachers, Ethiopian citizens and foreign commentators, have been deployed tirelessly on international forums, television stations and digital platforms to push this false narrative.

This joint campaign seeks to reframe the idea that colonial borders in the Horn of Africa are negotiable in an attempt to challenge the inviolable principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that have underpinned regional stability.

This aggressive speech was not limited to words and thoughts. In an attempt to lure Eritrea into a military conflict, the ruling party has increased military forces, heavy artillery, and mechanical divisions near the Eritrean border.

This trend is reflected in the northern border, where words of condemnation accompany the occupation of Assab and other coastal areas of Eritrea through negotiation when possible, and by force when necessary.

A wider trend continues in Eritrea. Ethiopia’s recent foreign policy has led to conflicts with several neighboring countries. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by Somaliland, which sought access to coastal areas without the permission of the Somali sub-government, caused a major diplomatic crisis and raised questions about respect for established principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Similarly, Ethiopia has repeatedly pursued strategies to manage neighboring conflicts in order to achieve short-term goals. Whether in Somalia, Sudan or elsewhere, the expansion of the Addis Ababa region has contributed greatly to mistrust and regional fragmentation.

Therefore, the story that Ethiopia is an accidental victim of being dragged into the war by foreigners ignores the reality of the ruling party actively moving military assets, signing illegal agreements and threatening the borders of independent countries. Such coercive behavior directly undermines the basic principles of peaceful coexistence and good relations that are necessary for the stability of the Horn.

In the end, peace in the Horn of Africa cannot be compromised to appease the changing calculations of an unstable neighbor. The way forward calls for an immediate end to reckless agitation in search of a “legal maritime route”, an indefinite halt to cross-border projects, and a return to the basic principles of non-interference and territorial integrity.

Until the international community confronts the real internal drivers of Addis Ababa’s anger instead of harboring its grievances, the region will remain in dire straits. Eritrea remains steadfast in its resolve, rooted in legal and historical issues. Those who are looking to undo their domestic damage due to territorial interference will find that Eritrea’s sovereignty cannot be negotiated or achieved, and that lasting security can only be achieved if borders are respected and international law is followed without exception.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial policy.