Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki sharply criticized the Ethiopian government during his national address commemorating the 34th anniversary of Eritrea’s independence. In a wide-ranging speech delivered to thousands at a public stadium and broadcast live on state television, the president accused Ethiopia of aligning with foreign powers and preparing for military aggression in the region.
Without directly naming the countries involved, President Afwerki alleged that “foreign powers and their proxies” have waged a campaign against the Ethiopian people over the past five years. He framed Ethiopia’s recent political and military trajectory as increasingly shaped by external influence, with particular reference to issues surrounding the Nile waters, the Red Sea, and access to seaports.
“Efforts to provoke widespread conflict under the guise of ethnic and geopolitical agendas pose a direct threat to regional peace,” he said, warning that “military preparations” and arms acquisitions by Ethiopia point to an intentional escalation.
President Afwerki acknowledged Eritrea’s previous support for Ethiopia’s 2018 peace agreement but suggested that optimism had faded. “The window of opportunity once promised by the transition in Ethiopia has closed,” he remarked.
Tensions between Asmara and Addis Ababa have grown in recent months, particularly since Ethiopia expressed interest in securing sovereign access to the Red Sea—an initiative that has been met with strong resistance from Eritrea. The rift widened further as Eritrea reportedly aligned more closely with Egypt, a major actor in the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
While the Eritrean president did not mention specific military developments, analysts have noted growing concerns that Eritrea could support armed groups hostile to the Ethiopian government. Eritrean opposition groups, previously based abroad, have reportedly opened offices in Addis Ababa, fueling speculation about shifting alliances.
In his speech, President Afwerki also condemned foreign military intervention in neighboring Sudan, reiterating Eritrea’s long-standing skepticism of international involvement in regional conflicts.
Despite criticism that his administration maintains a repressive domestic environment, Afwerki focused heavily on external dynamics. Human rights organizations continue to document alleged abuses in Eritrea, including indefinite national service and lack of political freedoms.
The independence celebration, which featured military parades and cultural performances, was attended by senior government officials and thousands of citizens. Afwerki, who has ruled Eritrea since 1991, emphasized the need to “defend national sovereignty” and pledged to strengthen the country’s military and political resilience amid what he described as growing external threats.