Concerning brewing regional political tension in the Horn of Africa, particularly between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

TO THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT – FOREIGN RELATIONS
PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE
We, the Eritrean National Council for Democratic Change (ENCDC), the Eritrean
Coalition for Democratic Change (ECDC) and the Eritrean Political Forces (EPF) are
concerned about the brewing regional political tension in the Horn of Africa, particularly
between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Following The Pretoria Peace Agreement on the war in Tigray, northern region in
Ethiopia, the relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia has gone from cold to hostile.
The totalitarian regime in Eritrea has already involved the country in many wars against
all its neighbours which have taken the lives of many young Eritreans. The hope that
enduring peace and stability would finally prevail following the 2018 peace agreement
between these two countries, has now been shuttered as flights between them
suspended and telephone lines cut off. Moreover, there is a war mongering rhetoric
around the issues of access to the Red Sea on the Ethiopian side and the unholy
tripartite pact between Egypt, Somalia and Eritrea, recently hosted by the Eritrean
regime have all created geopolitical tensions. These activities are clear indications of
the level of hostility between both countries.
The Eritrean people have gone through decades of war and instability and have firsthand
experience of the miseries and misfortunes of wars waged by the dictatorial regime,
having lost their loved ones and most of all their dignity in the process.
We urge the Australian government together with other peace loving countries to exert
maximum pressure on both sides to resolve their differences peacefully via diplomatic
negotiations, observing and respecting international laws, treaties and norms. War can
only cause more pain and suffering to the people who already have gone through immeasurable economic, political and social unrest for more than half of a century. Considering the current geopolitical postures and the continued instability in Sudan, a renewed war between Eritrea and Ethiopia will have a regional spillover and it will surely engulf the entire East African region.
It is apparent that Europe, Australia and America too, will face the consequences of this potential war as there will be an influx of migrants in hundreds of thousands. Thus, we feel obligated to call upon and warn the international community of this catastrophic consequence.
We, therefore, urge the Australian government to use all its leverage to encourage the parties to refrain from escalating hostilities and instead engage in peaceful resolution of their differences.
All the above named umbrella organisations are determined to do everything they can to avert this potential war. In its effort to do so, we are open to working closely with all stakeholders including the Australian Government.
We urge the Australian Government to engage with us and other stakeholders in this matter in the hope of not only averting this war but also to advance peace, democracy and development in the region in the long term.
ENCDC, ECDC and EPF stand firm in their belief that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths to lasting peace. We call upon the international community to act swiftly and decisively. Your intervention can help prevent another devastating conflict in a region that has seen too much bloodshed and despair.
We are committed to fostering a culture of peace and mutual respect. We believe that through constructive engagement and adherence to international norms, the Horn of Africa can overcome its current challenges and build a future where democracy, human rights, and economic development can flourish.
We also express our readiness to work together to ensure that the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia, and indeed the whole of East Africa, can look forward to a future free from the horrors of war. It is only through united efforts that we can create a stable and prosperous region for all.
Thank you
March 2025
ATIC CHANGE (ECDC)
ERITREAN POLITICAL FORCES (EPF)
ENCDC ECDC EPF
ERITREAN NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (ENCDC)
ERITREAN COALITION FOR DEMOCR