Overview
- Ethiopia’s foreign minister sent a February 7 letter accusing Eritrean forces of occupying Ethiopian territory and backing militants inside the country.
- Ethiopia formally demanded the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops and an end to all collaboration with rebel groups.
- The letter cited recent joint military manoeuvres near the northwestern border as evidence of a risk of further escalation.
- Eritrea responded on Monday, calling the allegations false and fabricated and describing them as part of a hostile campaign.
- Addis Ababa said it remains open to talks, including on maritime access via Eritrea’s Assab port, while relations have soured since Eritrea’s exclusion from the 2022 Tigray peace accord.