Minister Osman Saleh briefs members of Diplomatic Community

Foreign Minister Osman Saleh today briefed members of the diplomatic community residing in Asmara on Ethiopia’s ongoing violations and infringements, which he said are deliberately directed against Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as their implications for undermining peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

In his briefing, Minister Osman stated that, over the past three years, the Prosperity Party had repeatedly declared its intention to pursue all possible options, including the use of force, to realize its ambition of securing what it calls “sovereign access to the Red Sea.” He stated that the party had now effectively declared open war against the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia. He emphasized that such unlawful actions contravene the principles of the United Nations Charter and violate the 2018 Agreement on Peace and Friendship signed between the two countries.

Citing statements made by senior Prosperity Party political and military officials, including the Prime Minister, rejecting Eritrea’s sovereignty and expressing their intention to take control of the Red Sea and the port of Assab, Minister Osman outlined examples of such statements. He explained that these ambitions pose a serious threat to Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and constitute a grave danger to regional peace and stability.

Minister Osman further recalled that the Charter of the United Nations, particularly Article 2(4), prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. He explained that the dangerous and expansionist policy being pursued by the Prosperity Party against Eritrea constitutes a flagrant violation of this fundamental principle and must be condemned.

Regarding the ‘Pretoria Agreement’, signed in November 2022, Minister Osman explained that it was concluded between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). He reiterated that Eritrea was not a party to the agreement and had no role in its implementation.

Minister Osman stated that the Prosperity Party was providing sanctuary, as well as military and logistical support, to armed groups operating in Ethiopia against Eritrea. He further noted that the party was engaged in military activities that fuel regional conflicts and exacerbate instability in the Horn of Africa.

Addressing the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia, Minister Osman explained that, since May 2026, the Ethiopian Embassy in Asmara had ceased responding to official correspondence from Eritrea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and had severed communications with the ministry. He added that, on 8 August 2026, the embassy closed and departed Eritrea without notifying the Eritrean government.

He further stated that, on 1 October 2026, the Prosperity Party expelled a total of ten Eritrean diplomats, including officials assigned to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). He emphasized that this constituted a flagrant violation of the agreements governing diplomatic relations with the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

In conclusion, Minister Osman referred to the statement submitted by the Government of Eritrea to the United Nations Security Council on 9 October 2026. He called on the Council to take the statement into consideration, strongly condemn Ethiopia’s hostile policy, and adopt appropriate deterrent measures in accordance with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.