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Diplomatic talks focus on economic cooperation and regional stability, but concerns grow over escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea
Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Gedion Timothewos, met with Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Waleed Abdulkarim El Khereiji, on Wednesday to discuss various bilateral and regional matters. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting focused on strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
However, this meeting took place at a time of rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of “warmongering” and claims Ethiopia has ambitions of controlling Assab, a strategic port city. On March 9, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki sent a message to Saudi Arabia through Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, highlighting his concerns as tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia increased. Meanwhile, pro-Eritrean government activists on social media claimed that Saudi Arabia and Eritrea had signed an investment deal involving the Assab port.
Some Ethiopian politicians from the Tigray region, including Gebru Asrat and former Defense Chief of Staff Tsadkan Gebretensae, believe Saudi Arabia might play a role in an Ethiopia-Eritrea military conflict, which they see as inevitable.
However, Ethiopia’s government has presented a different perspective. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the meeting between the Ethiopian and Saudi diplomats was mainly about boosting economic cooperation. They discussed investment opportunities in Ethiopia, particularly in agriculture, mining, tourism, and technology.
The ongoing Sudan conflict was also among the topics of discussion. Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister emphasized that Ethiopia maintains a neutral position on the conflict and supports efforts to find a peaceful resolution. The Saudi Vice Minister, El Khereiji, expressed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working with all parties involved to help end the crisis in Sudan.
In addition to meeting Gedion Timothewos, the Saudi diplomat also held discussions with Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Misganu Arega. Their conversation covered topics such as economic relations and joint efforts to combat human trafficking. Saudi Arabia expressed its interest in strengthening its cooperation with Ethiopia in various sectors.
Despite discussing “regional issues,” the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not specify whether the rising tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia were part of the talks. Given the current situation, it is unlikely that such an important issue was completely ignored.
On Tuesday, Eritrea held a briefing for diplomats in its capital, Asmara, urging the international community to pressure Ethiopia into respecting the sovereignty of its neighboring countries. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of collaborating with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), led by Debretsion Gebremichael, to create instability in the region. Some opposition leaders in Eritrea and the president of Tigray’s interim administration—whose term has technically ended according to the Pretoria Agreement—have made similar claims.
As tensions rise, the international community is keeping a close watch on the situation. While Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia publicly focus on economic and diplomatic cooperation, concerns remain about whether Ethiopia and Eritrea will move toward a military conflict. Both sides continue to accuse each other of fueling tensions, making the situation increasingly complex.
The outcome of these diplomatic engagements remains uncertain, but any potential conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea would have serious regional consequences. Observers are waiting to see whether diplomatic efforts can prevent further escalation or if the two nations are heading toward another conflict.