Eritrea’s government has issued a sharp rebuttal to claims from General Bacha Debele and Ethiopia’s Potemkin Party, denouncing what it calls “spurious pretexts to justify war.” In an official statement, Eritrean officials accused their Ethiopian counterparts of fabricating historical myths, questioning the legitimacy of Eritrea’s independence, and attempting to position Eritrea as a destabilizing force in the Horn of Africa to rationalize military aggression.
Eritrea Rejects Ethiopian Claims Over the Red Sea
The article strongly criticizes Ethiopia’s narrative that its lack of “sovereign access to the sea” justifies confrontation with Eritrea. Eritrea’s government points out that international law clearly supports Eritrea’s independence, referencing decades of sacrifice, legal precedents, and the tragic loss of over 60,000 Eritrean freedom fighters to secure sovereignty in 1991.
Eritrean officials condemn recent statements from General Bacha, highlighting what they view as inflammatory language, name-calling, and misrepresentation intended to stoke public opinion against Eritrea. The government notes that these accusations—calling Eritrea a “regional destabilizer” and a “subservient actor”—are meant to create a victim narrative for Ethiopia while masking a war agenda under the guise of “self-defense”.
Historical Context and Regional Politics
Eritrea asserts that the portrayal of its modern boundaries and history is intentionally distorted, dismissing Ethiopian claims of ancient or continuous coastal sovereignty. The rebuttal chronicles how Eritrea’s fate was shaped by broader geopolitical forces, drawing parallels between foreign intervention in the mid-20th century and Ethiopia’s current reliance on external allies and aid for military purposes.
Eritrea emphasizes its own resilience, economic achievements, and social progress achieved despite years of conflict, sanctions, and sabotage from neighboring regimes. The statement also counters allegations that Eritrea interferes in Ethiopian affairs, asserting that Ethiopia is more often dependent on foreign powers and sponsors regional opposition groups for “regime change”.
Call for Respect and Stability
In closing, Eritrea calls for mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and strict adherence to international law, asserting that war will only bring further devastation, humanitarian loss, and instability. The Eritrean government urges the international community to see through what it describes as reckless provocations and expansionist ambitions, reaffirming its focus on sovereignty and regional cooperation built on respect for borders and legal principles.