Landlocked Ethiopia has no intention of starting a war with neighbouring Eritrea in order to gain access to the sea, the country's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said.A previous statement, in 2023, that having a seaport was an "existential issue" for the nation sparked concerns that the Ethiopia could take one by force.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday that his government would not seek conflict with longtime foe Eritrea over access to the Red Sea, after regional officials and experts warned of a possible war between the Horn of Africa neighbours.

Abiy insists Ethiopia has no plans to invade its neighbour but reiterates his push for sea access, stirring regional tensions.

Ethiopia’s ambition to secure Red Sea access, Eritrea’s interference in Ethiopia’s internal affairs and a power struggle in Tigray could explode into a wider regional war. Mediation is urgently needed.

Ethiopian Prime Minister has stressed that even though his country has an "existential" need to access the sea, it intends to prioritize negotiation with Eritrea based on the principle of "give and take".

Longtime foes Ethiopia and Eritrea could be headed towards war, officials in a restive Ethiopian region at the centre of the tensions have warned, risking another humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa.

Instability in the Horn of Africa region is leading to renewed tensions between landlocked Ethiopia and rival Eritrea after a brief détente during the Tigray war, which ended in 2022. Ethiopia is eager to gain direct access to the Red Sea,

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday that his government would not seek conflict with longtime foe Eritrea over sea access, after regional officials and experts warned of a possible war between the east African neighbours.