The Horn of Africa’s geopolitics are complex, and the prospect of renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea prompts urgent debate. An analytical conversation — such as one between a prominent commentator like Mehdi Hasan and Ethiopian political figure Getachew Reda — would necessarily explore historical grievances, recent security incidents, internal politics, and the regional consequences of flare-ups.
Ethiopia and Eritrea share a fraught history: a brutal war in the late 1990s and decades of distrust shaped by territorial and political disputes. Although there have been rapprochement efforts, unresolved border issues and competing domestic pressures can reignite tensions. Internal instability in either state, proxy dynamics, or external actors’ interests might further complicate prospects for peace.
Whether war is “inevitable” depends on political choices: robust diplomacy, credible conflict-management mechanisms, international mediation, and domestic de-escalation all reduce the risk. Conversely, unchecked militarization, inflammatory rhetoric, and regional rivalries increase it. Ultimately, the prevention of war requires concerted effort by national leaders, regional bodies, and international partners to prioritize dialogue, confidence-building, and socioeconomic stabilization.
