Ethiopia warns Eritrea to “stop terrorist acts” or face military action
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
March 18, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia has warned neighboring Eritrea to refrain from what it described as ongoing acts of terrorism.
In a press briefing, the ministry of foreign affairs said on Wednesday that the Ethiopian government will be left with no other option but take military action unless the Red Sea nation stops its continued ‘’subversive activities” against Ethiopia.
The ministry said the Eritrean government is engaged in terrorist acts under the motto “Making Ethiopia the Other Bagdad”.
“Eritrea’s subversive acts should not go any further. Eritrea cannot turn Addis Ababa to Baghdad; we will take series of offensive measures against Eritrea to safeguard our peace and ongoing development,” ministry of foreign affairs state minister, Berhane Gebrekiristos told reporters at a press briefing.
However, he said, the response would be made first by mobilizing the international community to put pressure on Eritrea.
Gebrekiristos noted that a number of Eritrea trained and armed “terrorists” had been apprehended by Ethiopian security forces at different times.
He said Eritrea’s was “to cripple the peace and ongoing development of Ethiopia”, he stressed a need for an immediate end to the problem before goes off hand.
Eritrea gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The two neighbors however engaged in a devastating war from 1998-2000 over territorial disputes. The war claimed the lives of an estimated 70,000 people.
Since then, the two neighbors have been trading accusations of arming and supporting each others’ rebels to disrupt peace and security.
Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea of being behind a number of terrorist attacks and plots on its soil, an allegation Asmara denies.
Last month, Ethiopia said it had thwarted a “terrorist attack” planned by Eritrea.
Ethiopian officials then said Asmara government conspired to carryout bomb attacks during the Africa Union (AU) summit held in the capital, Addis Ababa.
They also said that their security forces had arrested seven Eritrean-backed “terrorists” who were in possession of large amount of powerful explosives.
(ST)