Ethiopia's Foreign Minister has sent a letter to his Eritrean counterpart, demanding that Eritrean troops withdraw from Ethiopian territory. The letter accuses Eritrea of 'outright aggression', claiming they are conducting joint military maneuvers with Ethiopian rebels and supplying them with weapons. This comes after a history of tension between the two countries, which split off from each other three decades ago. The countries fought a border war between 1998-2000, resulting in over 100,000 deaths. A peace deal was never fully implemented, and relations only improved after Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed traveled to Eritrea in 2018. However, recent developments have indicated a renewed conflict, with Ethiopia accusing Eritrea of supporting rebels in the Tigray region. Eritrea has denied these allegations, accusing Ethiopia of creating false narratives to justify war. The tension is further exacerbated by Ethiopia's call for access to the sea, which Abiy has described as an existential matter. If Eritrea's soldiers withdraw, the two countries could start talks, including over the issue of access to the sea through the port of Assab. But here's where it gets controversial... The BBC reports that during the 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray, Eritrean troops allegedly massacred people in the Ethiopian city of Aksum. This is a claim that Eritrea has previously denied. So, what do you think? Do you agree with Ethiopia's demands, or do you think there's more to this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
