Ethiopian police have announced the seizure of thousands of rounds of ammunition allegedly sent from Eritrea to the Fano, a violent armed rebel group, raising fears of renewed armed conflict in the Horn of Africa.
The Ethiopian authorities claim that over 56,000 rounds of ammunition were destined for the rebels in the Amhara region and have arrested two suspects in connection with the delivery.
In response, Eritrea has denied the allegations, with Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel accusing Ethiopia of fabricating stories to justify military aggression. The accusations come at a time of heightened tensions between the two nations, which share a fraught history.
Since a civil war in Ethiopia from 2020 to 2022, hopes for lasting peace have diminished, evolving into a war of words focused on access to the Red Sea. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has stated that access to the sea is vital for the landlocked country, while Eritrea has dismissed these claims.
Relations soured further after Eritrea was excluded from a peace agreement that ended the civil war in November 2022. Recent declarations by both nations signal a worrying trajectory, with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki accusing Ethiopia's ruling Prosperity Party of waging economic war against his country.
As tensions rise, both nations are grappling with public discontent and the implications of renewed hostilities are a cause for concern for the whole region.
