Afwerki: We are not forming axis against Ethiopia

ASMARA - The recent Tripartite summit in Asmara had nothing against the federal government of Ethiopia, Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki has said, defending the partnerships between Somalia, Egypt, and his native Eritrea.

The formation of the axis against Ethiopia, he said, was propaganda to cause anxiety in the Horn of Africa and fuel mistrust between neighbours. The agreement, he said, brings stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.

"Eritrea has no interest in seeing Ethiopia destabilized," he stated, underscoring his nation's commitment to fostering cooperation in one of the world's most volatile regions.

The allegations were made given escalating tensions involving Somalia and Ethiopia over the latter's advances along the Red Sea having signed an agreement with Somaliland over the access. Ethiopia is also at loggerheads with Egypt over the Nile Basin.

Recently, Egypt offered to head the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) a move seen as a strategy to further counter Ethiopia. Egypt has also pledged to support Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Isaias condemned what he described as "foreign-backed disinformation campaigns" spread through traditional and social media platforms, warning that such narratives risk further inflaming regional conflicts.

In the statement, he, however, took a swipe at Ethiopia, terming its 1994 constitution as "fundamentally flawed". Ethiopia, he said, has failed to stabilize given unending ethnic tensions in Amhara and Tigray where thousands of people have died.

Afwerki linked Ethiopia's prolonged border clashes with Eritrea to external interference but refrained from naming specific actors. He pointed to the TPLF's rocket attacks on Eritrea during the Tigray conflict as evidence of destabilizing forces at play.

While much of the interview focused on Ethiopia, Isaias reiterated Eritrea's commitment to fostering stability in Sudan. "The resolution of Sudan's conflict ultimately lies with its people, but our historical ties compel us to support efforts toward peace," he said.

Ethiopia has insisted that it will continue participating in Somalia’s peacekeeping mission but the move has been opposed by Mogadishu, which wants Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to revoke the agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE