World · World News Bureau
Ethiopian military pledges restraint as civil war fears resurface
Ethiopia's army chief has accused neighboring Eritrea of funding and arming opposition groups in a bid to destabilize the country, as concerns mount over potential renewed conflict following the 2020-2022 civil war.
LSN World News ·
The commander of Ethiopia's armed forces issued assurances of military restraint on Thursday while leveling accusations against Eritrea of supporting armed groups seeking to undermine national stability. The allegations come amid mounting international concern that the Horn of Africa nation faces the risk of sliding back into large-scale conflict less than two years after the devastating Tigray war concluded.
Ethiopia's military leadership has previously raised concerns about cross-border interference and the financing of opposition forces. The fresh accusations suggest tensions remain elevated in a region where geopolitical rivalries have repeatedly spilled into armed confrontation, with Eritrea's involvement in the recent civil war having drawn widespread condemnation from international observers.
The promise of military restraint appears designed to reassure both domestic and international audiences amid fragile peace efforts. However, analysts warn that deep-rooted grievances and the proliferation of armed groups across multiple regions continue to pose significant obstacles to lasting stability in Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation.
The country is still grappling with the humanitarian aftermath of the 2020-2022 conflict, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Rebuilding trust between former belligerents and addressing underlying political disputes remain critical challenges as the government attempts to consolidate peace.