Eritreans fear new Ethiopia war can only be ended by a miracle

Tewolde, a man in his 40s from Asmara, Eritrea, has seen combat multiple times for his country and now prays that hostilities with neighboring Ethiopia do not erupt again. "If war begins, countless families will sufferchildren losing fathers, mothers losing husbands, parents losing children," he explained.

He first fought in the late 1990s during Eritreas brutal border conflict with Ethiopia and later participated in operations against rebels in Ethiopias Tigray region. The two nations, historically tense, have recently resumed exchanging accusations of aggression.

"We have lived through this before and know how devastating the consequences are," Tewolde said, using a pseudonym to protect his identity in one of the worlds most secretive countries. Gathering firsthand accounts in Eritrea is extremely challenging, as dissenters frequently vanish into prison. For this interview, questions and responses were routed through an intermediary.

Ongoing Tensions and National Strain

Eritrea, home to about 3.5 million people, has been led by President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence in 1993 and is consistently ranked among the lowest globally in human rights. Many civilians are conscripted into lifelong military service or coerced into national service programs that the United Nations likens to slavery.

Despite a 2019 peace agreement with Ethiopia, which earned Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed a Nobel Peace Prize, both countries previously united to wage a devastating war against Tigrayans between 2020 and 2022. Eritrea has since expressed frustration over Ethiopia negotiating peace without its input and accuses its neighbor of attempting to control the port of Assab. Ethiopia, in turn, has claimed Eritrea is preparing for renewed conflict.

"Eritrean aggression and provocations make it increasingly difficult to remain restrained," Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos stated recently.

Mass Displacement and Rising Fear

Mehari, a Eritrean in his 30s who fought in Tigray, said many young people are fleeing to Ethiopia and Sudan to escape the threat of war. Luwan, who left Eritrea years ago, described her familys fear after a relative was warned to prepare for a possible Ethiopian attack.

She explained that mothers still have not been informed about the whereabouts of children lost in the Tigray conflict, yet authorities continue to summon others to serve at the front. Requests for comment from Eritrean officials went unanswered.

Researcher Mohamed Kheir Omer, a former independence activist now in exile, said that Eritrean youth face a dilemma: fear their own government or the possibility of Ethiopian invasion. "We are trapped between Isaias, who disregards his population, and Abiy, who prioritizes his legacy," he said.

Luwan summarized the desperate sentiment shared by many: "Only a miracle can end this nightmare."

Author: Zoe Harrison