Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has hit out at Eritrea’s army for committing atrocities during the two-year war in the northern Tigray region, which ended in 2022.
Eritrean forces fought alongside the Ethiopian army against local Tigrayan fighters for control of Tigray, which borders Eritrea.
In an address to parliament, Abiy admitted for the first time that Eritrean troops had massacred people in Aksum – allegations Eritrea had previously denied following reports of mass killings that took place in the historic city over two days in November 2020.
It is the latest twist in a volatile relationship between the two Horn of Africa neighbours, who flip flop from being friends to enemies.
Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for ending a 20-year military stalemate with Eritrea over a border dispute.
Friendly relations were forged further during the Tigray war, but have of late given way to a war of words over the Red Sea – something landlocked Ethiopia wants access to through Eritrea.
Ethiopia’s foreign ministry has also recently accused Eritrea of changing allegiances in Tigray – leading to fears of a renewed conflict in the region.
By Anthony Solly
