Ethiopia demands immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from border
Source:The Hindu ↗
Why It Matters
The Horn of Africa is a crucial geopolitical chokepoint bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Instability here affects global supply chains and maritime security. UPSC Prelims regularly tests locations in news like Tigray, Assab, and the Red Sea littoral states. For Mains, it is relevant to India's foreign policy and developmental outreach in Africa, as regional conflicts can undermine bilateral relations and investments.
Summary
Ethiopia has demanded the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from its territory, accusing Eritrea of military incursions and collaborating with Ethiopian rebel groups. The nations, former allies during the brutal 2020-2022 Tigray civil war, have seen ties fray since the Pretoria Agreement excluded Eritrea. The rift is exacerbated by landlocked Ethiopia's strategic goal of securing access to the Red Sea, which Eritrea views as a potential threat to its port of Assab. The escalating dispute risks sparking a new conflict in the highly strategic Horn of Africa.
Key Points
- Ethiopia has formally demanded the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from its northwestern border regions, citing military incursions and alleged collaboration with rebel groups.
- Relations have sharply deteriorated since the Pretoria Agreement ended the 2020-2022 Tigray civil war, as Eritrea was excluded from the peace accord despite being Ethiopia's ally during the conflict.
- The Tigray civil war was devastating, resulting in an estimated 600,000 deaths.
- A major underlying tension is landlocked Ethiopia's strategic push for direct access to the Red Sea, which Eritrea perceives as a threat to its sovereignty over the port of Assab.
- The rising tensions threaten to destabilize the geopolitically sensitive Horn of Africa, which is critical for global maritime security and trade.
Important Terms
Pretoria Agreement
A 2022 peace deal between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) that ended the Tigray War. It excluded Eritrea, leading to current diplomatic friction.
UPSC context
Crucial for GS Paper II (International Relations), testing knowledge of regional peace treaties and their impact on Horn of Africa stability.
Horn of Africa
The easternmost region of Africa, comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. It is a strategic geopolitical zone due to its proximity to the Red Sea and global trade routes.
UPSC context
Tested in GS Paper I (Geography) and II (International Relations) regarding strategic locations and regional conflict dynamics.
Assab Port
A strategic Eritrean port on the Red Sea. Historically Ethiopia's main maritime outlet, its loss after Eritrean independence made Ethiopia landlocked, fueling contemporary territorial and maritime disputes.
UPSC context
Relevant for GS Paper I (Mapping/Geography) and II (Diplomacy) concerning maritime security and rights of landlocked states.
Tigray Civil War
A brutal conflict (2020–2022) between Ethiopia's federal government and Tigrayan rebels. While Eritrea initially supported Ethiopia, the war’s aftermath has strained their relationship over troop presence and territory.
UPSC context
Important for GS Paper II (International Relations) and GS Paper IV (Humanitarian Ethics) regarding civil wars and human rights.
Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The executive department responsible for Ethiopia's external relations. It recently issued the formal demand for Eritrean withdrawal, signaling a significant shift in regional alliances.
UPSC context
Applicable to GS Paper II (International Relations) when discussing official state positions and diplomatic escalations in the neighborhood.
Landlocked Country
A state with no direct access to an ocean. Ethiopia is the world's most populous landlocked country, making its quest for Red Sea access a core national security priority.
UPSC context
Tests GS Paper II (International Relations) concepts like UNCLOS rights for transit access and regional economic integration.
Prelims Trap
"Ethiopia is one of the major countries bordering the Red Sea."
Ethiopia became entirely landlocked in 1993 after Eritrea gained independence. Its lack of a coastline is the core driver of its current aggressive push for port access.
Static Concepts Connected
Which countries constitute the Horn of Africa and what is their strategic importance?
- SEED Countries: Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti form the peninsula, often remembered by the acronym SEED.
- Maritime Chokepoint: The region oversees the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
- Landlocked Vulnerability: Ethiopia is the world's most populous landlocked country, making its reliance on neighbors (chiefly Djibouti) for trade a major geopolitical vulnerability.
What is the Pretoria Agreement and where is Tigray located?
- Tigray Region: Tigray is the northernmost regional state in Ethiopia, sharing a volatile international border with Eritrea.
- Pretoria Agreement: Signed in 2022 in South Africa, it is the peace treaty between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), formally ending the deadly civil war.
- Eritrean Exclusion: Eritrea, despite fighting alongside Ethiopian federal forces during the war, was excluded from the Pretoria talks, laying the groundwork for the current diplomatic breakdown.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Red Sea Security & Bab el-Mandeb
Instability in the Horn of Africa directly impacts global trade through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, compounding existing maritime security threats from Houthi attacks in Yemen.
Somaliland MoU & Regional Realignments
Ethiopia's recent controversial MoU with the breakaway region of Somaliland for naval access has isolated Addis Ababa, inadvertently pushing Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea into a strategic alignment against it.
Expect a 'Places in News' Prelims match-the-following (Tigray/Assab) or a multi-statement question on countries bordering the Red Sea.
Linked PYQs · 3
Linked PYQs · 3
- 2023PrelimsGS1
Consider the following pairs: Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yemen How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- 2009PrelimsGS1
Which one of the following pairs of countries fought wars over a region called Ogaden?
- 2015MainsGS2
Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.
