U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, stressing the need for dialogue and regional stability amid rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
According to a readout from the U.S. State Department, the two leaders discussed shared goals for peace, economic growth, and greater trade opportunities in Ethiopia and across the Horn of Africa. While applauding Ethiopia’s recent economic reforms, Secretary Rubio emphasized that sustainable development depends on political dialogue and avoiding further conflict.
The call comes just one day after Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki accused Ethiopia of preparing for war, warning that Asmara would not hesitate to respond to military provocations. Tensions have escalated following reports from the Tigray region’s interim president, General Tadase Werede, who claimed Eritrean forces had crossed into Tigrayan territory and seized strategic areas.
Addis Ababa has alleged that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), now allied with Eritrea under the leadership of Debretsion Gebremichael, has received arms shipments via the ports of Assab and Massawa—an accusation denied by Eritrean officials as “baseless and a pretext for renewed aggression.”
The evolving situation has raised alarms across the region, with observers warning that any direct confrontation between Eritrea and Ethiopia could destabilize the Horn and reverse fragile peace efforts.
Washington’s diplomatic outreach signals growing international concern, and it remains to be seen whether dialogue will prevail over escalation.