Ethiopia Cites Eritrean Fear Of Red Sea Access As Pretext For Alleged TPLFFano Collusion
Escalation Fears as Ethiopia Accuses Eritrea and TPLF of Colluding to ‘Wage War’ Under ‘Tsimdo’ Alliance
Addis Abeba, Ethiopia—The fragile post-conflict peace in the Horn of Africa is facing a severe threat following Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) formal accusation that the Eritrean government and a ‘hardliner faction’ of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) are actively colluding to “wage war” against the country. The ministry alleges the two parties are operating under a newly formed alliance named “Tsimdo” and have been directly involved in recent armed offensives, particularly an attack aimed at capturing the Amhara regional city of Woldiya.
The grave charges were outlined in a letter dated October 2, 2025, penned by Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The development signals a dramatic deterioration in relations and raises serious concerns about the stability of the region.
Direct Involvement in Woldiya Offensive Alleged
Minister Gedion Timothewos’s letter asserted that the “collusion between the Eritrean government and the hardliner faction of the TPLF has become more evident over the past few months,” claiming the new alliance is “actively preparing to wage war against Ethiopia.”
Crucially, the MFA alleges that this alliance is not only providing support but is “funding, mobilizing, and directing armed groups such as Fano to expand the horizon of the conflict.”
- Woldiya Attack: The most specific claim relates to a recent offensive by the Fano militia aimed at capturing the major town of Woldiya in the Amhara Region. The ministry’s letter claims that TPLF commanders and fighters participated directly in the operation.
- Other Skirmishes: Additional fighting was reported by the ministry in the disputed areas of Raya and Welkait.
- Violation of Peace Deal: Ethiopia views these alleged actions as a direct violation of the 2022 Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities signed in Pretoria between the federal government and the TPLF.
Eritrea Accused as ‘Main Architect’ of Destabilization
The Ethiopian MFA has pointed to Eritrea as the central figure in these alleged destabilization efforts, describing it as “the main architect of these nefarious activities.”
The letter accuses Asmara of underwriting conflicts through “financial, material, and political support,” with the ultimate goal of attempting to “destabilize and fragment Ethiopia.” According to Minister Gedion, Eritrea is justifying its actions under the pretext of feeling threatened by Ethiopia’s long-standing “quest to gain access to the sea.” The Minister dismissed these claims, calling them “pretexts invoked to justify Eritrea’s decades-old effort to destabilize Ethiopia.”
The MFA emphasized that while the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have maintained a “defensive posture” and exercised “maximum restraint,” this approach is “not one of indefinite restraint,” suggesting a potential shift in military strategy if the hostilities continue.
Ethiopia Reaffirms Peaceful Red Sea Access, Urges UN Pressure
Despite the alarming accusations, the Foreign Minister took the opportunity to reaffirm Ethiopia’s commitment to securing direct access to the Red Sea exclusively through “peaceful means.” He stressed that the government seeks “institutionalized economic integration mechanisms beneficial for both Eritrea and Ethiopia,” under a vision of “shared prosperity through integration that preserves the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both states.”
In its communication to the UN, Ethiopia made a clear appeal to the international community:
- Pressure on Eritrea: Urge the international community to pressure Eritrea to cease its “direct and indirect acts of hostility” and to “respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
- Constructive Engagement: Call on international partners to continue efforts to promote “constructive engagement and cooperation” between Ethiopia and Eritrea on maritime issues and broader regional stability.
The UN letter follows a similar communication sent in July to U.S. Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio, where the Foreign Minister similarly accused Eritrea of “cooperating and coordinating” with a TPLF faction and other armed groups, warning that their actions “violate international law” and threaten fragile peace.
About The Author
