Ethiopian Airlines Suspends Flights to Eritrea Amid Escalating Tensions

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier by revenue, has announced the suspension of all flights to Eritrea, citing challenging operating conditions. This move comes in the wake of Eritrea’s declaration that it would end all Ethiopian Airlines flights by the end of the month. The sudden cessation of flights between the two neighboring nations signals a troubling turn in their diplomatic relations, which had seen significant improvement in recent years.

Flights between Ethiopia and Eritrea had resumed in 2018 after the signing of a historic peace agreement that ended two decades of hostility. This reconciliation, which brought a sense of renewed hope to the Horn of Africa, also earned Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the Nobel Peace Prize. However, the current suspension of flights raises concerns about the fragility of the relationship between Addis Ababa and Asmara.

Diplomatic sources suggest that the flight suspension is a reflection of deteriorating relations between the two nations, though they stress that a return to outright conflict is not expected. The current tension is a stark reminder of the complicated history between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which includes the devastating border war that led to the severance of ties in 1998.

Tensions have resurfaced in recent months, particularly following Eritrea’s exclusion from the peace talks that brought an end to the Tigray conflict in northern Ethiopia. Eritrea, which had supported Ethiopian forces during the Tigray conflict, has since expressed dissatisfaction with its perceived sidelining in the post-war negotiations. The decision to halt flights could be seen as a manifestation of these lingering grievances.

Ethiopian Airlines, in its statement, assured affected passengers that they would be offered rebooking options or refunds. However, the airline did not elaborate on the specific operational challenges that led to the suspension. This lack of detail has left many speculating about the underlying issues, including potential political or security-related concerns.

Eritrean officials have so far remained silent on the matter, leaving observers to speculate on the future of relations between the two countries. The flight suspension is a significant setback for the progress made since 2018, when the resumption of air travel was celebrated as a symbol of peace and cooperation.

As the situation develops, the international community will be closely watching how both nations navigate this latest diplomatic hurdle. While the suspension of flights is unlikely to lead to a full-scale conflict, it is a clear indication that the road to lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea remains fraught with challenges. The hope is that both sides can resolve their differences through dialogue, ensuring that the hard-won peace of 2018 does not unravel further.