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Mounting worries are present over the chance of armed conflict among Horn of Africa neighbours, Ethiopia and Eritrea, as aggressive discourse has intensified in the past few weeks.

What Did Ethiopia Stated?

Landlocked Ethiopia's demands for access to the sea coast through Eritrea has triggered a heated war of words.

The Ethiopian leader initially stated publicly in the previous year that his government's access to the sea was an vital issue, statements that Eritrea ignored.

Diplomatic connections between the both governments have frequently been strained. Following a long-standing struggle for freedom, the Eritrean state, which has a extensive Red Sea coastline, legally broke away from Ethiopian rule in the early 1990s, rendering it cut off from the sea.

Subsequently, a territorial conflict broke out in which over a hundred thousand people lost their lives.

Current Remarks from Ethiopian Officials

Abiy and military leader Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have publicly asserted ownership of Eritrean southern port of the port of Assab – about 60km from the boundary - and implied the desire to seize it militarily.

On 1 September, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia's "mistake" of losing access to the sea as a result of Eritrean independence would be "rectified in the future".

The Ethiopian envoy to Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that the port was "Ethiopian property" and would be given back "using武力".

Eritrea's Reaction to the Threats

Despite continuous threats from Ethiopia, Eritrea's reaction has been limited to short statements on social media from Communications Head Yemane G..

He has rejected Ethiopia's demand for access to the Red Sea labeling it "hazardous" and a "toxic agenda" of "territorial claims" – a policy of reclaiming previous domains.

Government spokespeople warned on 16 September that efforts to justify "flagrant aggression" would have major implications for the Ethiopian government and its neighbouring countries and is a "limit that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Military Activities on the Border

Currently, there are few indications of large-scale army activities in the boundary zones between the two countries.

However, in the country, national TV has broadcast training completions of many recruits at multiple army bases.

The leader of personnel division of the military, Lt Gen Hachalu Sheleme, stated recently in an conversation that the military was in a "reliable position" as "many thousands of young people" were enlisting, which he said was "a message to our enemies".

Historical Roots of the Conflict

For decades from the late 19th century, Eritrea was governed by Italian rulers.

After Italy's defeat, it was then managed by the British administration before evolving into a integrated region of the Ethiopian empire.

However in 1962 Emperor Haile Selassie I cancelled this agreement and Eritrea became fully incorporated into the Ethiopian state.

A extended internal conflict occurred, ending with military reversal in 1991. Independence was then approved by voters in a plebiscite in 1993.

For a few years in the 1990s, there were friendly connections between the governments in Addis Ababa and Asmara, but they clashed over the exact location of their common border, causing hostilities in 1998.

Though this concluded in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the neighbors remained at odds.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made gestures to Eritrea's leader Isaias Afwerki. The both leaders endorsed a statement that the hostilities was finished – a action that gained Abiy the prestigious award.

The both administrations were then allies in the country's recent civil war in Tigray.

However diplomatic connections have later worsened again.