AGP Executive Report

Border Tensions: Ethiopian troops advanced to Zalambessa, near Eritrea, as fighting in Tigray fuels fears of a wider war. Witnesses and a conflict monitor reported Eritrean troops crossed into the area last week, but it remains unclear whether they are still there. Asmara denies an incursion and says Ethiopia’s accusations amount to a “declaration of war.” Diplomacy: Eritrea has urged the UN Security Council to take deterrent measures against Ethiopia. Somalia says it will remain neutral and called for regional de-escalation. Education: Schools in Eritrea’s Central Region recognized 129 students for high marks in national exams, including a student who scored 99.6.

Border Crisis: Ethiopian federal forces entered Adwa after Tigrayan fighters withdrew, and residents reported looting as commercial flights resumed to Mekelle. The advance comes amid competing claims over Eritrean forces in Tigray: Ethiopia alleges incursions and support for rebels; Eritrea denies this and accuses Addis Ababa of threatening its sovereignty and port of Assab. UN Tensions: Both governments have taken their accusations to the Security Council, with Ethiopia invoking self-defence and Eritrea seeking UN deterrent measures. The UN chief has called for hostilities to stop, as analysts warn a direct war could spread across the Horn and Red Sea. Regional Alignments: Somalia says it remains neutral despite joining Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea in a declaration asserting coastal states’ role in Red Sea affairs. Refugee Strain: UNHCR says it has received only 35% of its 2026 funding target; in Ethiopia, registration has halted for tens of thousands arriving from Eritrea and South Sudan.

Border Tensions: Ethiopian forces entered Adigrat and recaptured Adwa after Tigrayan fighters withdrew, as flights to Mekelle resumed. Eritrea has asked the UN Security Council for deterrent measures against Ethiopia, while Addis Ababa accuses Eritrean forces of incursions and says it is acting in self-defence. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged an end to hostilities and warned against wider escalation. Regional Diplomacy: Somalia says it remains neutral between Ethiopia and Eritrea, despite joining Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea in the El Alamein declaration calling for peaceful solutions and respect for sovereignty. Community: Eritrean women’s union representatives in the UK reviewed the branch’s activities and plans, while schools in the Central Region honoured high-achieving students, including a pupil who scored 99.6 in national exams.

Border Escalation: Ethiopian government forces entered Adigrat after Tigrayan fighters withdrew, sharpening tensions with Eritrea, whose diplomatic ties with Ethiopia were severed last week. UN Standoff: Eritrea has asked the Security Council for deterrent measures against Ethiopia; Addis Ababa says it is acting in self-defence against alleged Eritrean incursions, which Asmara denies. Tigray Update: Flights to Mekelle have resumed after nearly three weeks. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s adviser Getachew Reda says a federal command post will oversee the region until elections in six months. Migration Tragedy: At least 139 people, including 15 children, died and about 84 are missing after a boat carrying 305 migrants from Djibouti to Yemen capsized. About 82 survived.

Ethiopia–Eritrea Tensions: Eritrea has asked the UN Security Council for “deterrent measures,” calling Ethiopia’s actions a declaration of war. Addis Ababa says Eritrean troops crossed into Tigray and invokes its right to self-defence; Asmara denies the incursion. Ethiopian forces and allies entered Adigrat after reports of Eritrean troops withdrawing, though full control has not been independently confirmed. Tigray Fighting: Government-allied forces have retaken Mekelle, and Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights there. Adviser Getachew Reda promised “visible change” in the region but gave no details. The renewed fighting has weakened the 2022 peace deal, while residents report hunger, closed banks and scarce medical care. Regional Stakes: Relations have sharply deteriorated amid disputes over Ethiopia’s demand for Red Sea access. The UN has urged an end to hostilities and a return to dialogue as fears grow that the conflict could spread.

Ethiopia-Eritrea Standoff: Eritrea has asked the UN Security Council to condemn what it calls Ethiopia’s “declaration of war” and consider deterrent measures. Ethiopia says Eritrean troops crossed into Tigray and claims it is acting in self-defence; Asmara denies the incursion and accuses Addis Ababa of preparing aggression. Adigrat Developments: Residents told Reuters Ethiopian forces and allied militias entered the border city on Saturday, after reports Eritrean troops had withdrawn. Reuters could not confirm who controlled the city, and the rival accounts remain unverified. Regional Risks: The UN secretary-general has urged dialogue, warning that renewed fighting in Tigray, Afar and Amhara—and reports of Eritrean forces in Ethiopia—could further destabilize the region. The dispute unfolds amid severed diplomatic ties and Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access. Civilian Toll: Renewed conflict has driven people from their homes and disrupted aid and communications, adding to fears that fighting could spread beyond northern Ethiopia.

UN Appeal: Eritrea has asked the Security Council to condemn Ethiopia’s “declaration of war” and take deterrent measures, including possible sanctions. Asmara denies sending troops into Tigray and says Addis Ababa is using the claims to justify aggression. Border Tensions: Ethiopia says Eritrean forces advanced up to 60 kilometres into Tigray and insists it has a right to defend itself. Drones reportedly struck Eritrean positions near Adigrat; residents later reported Ethiopian forces in the town after Eritrean troops withdrew, though control could not be independently confirmed. Regional Stakes: The accusations come amid renewed fighting in Tigray and a worsening dispute over Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access, which Eritrea sees as a threat to its sovereignty. Aid Access: A UN convoy carrying nutrition supplies has reached Mekelle, but the UN says more assistance is urgently needed and civilians must be protected.

Border Crisis: Ethiopia has told the UN Security Council that Eritrean forces advanced up to 60 kilometres into Tigray, calling it an “all-out invasion” and warning it may defend itself. Eritrea denies the allegation and accuses Addis Ababa of seeking war and coveting the port of Assab. Reports say Ethiopian drones struck Eritrean vehicles near Adigrat, but details remain difficult to verify. Regional Stakes: The accusations deepen fears of a wider conflict after diplomatic ties were severed, amid Ethiopia’s renewed push for Red Sea access. Aid to Tigray: A UN convoy carrying 90 tonnes of supplies for acute malnutrition reached Mekelle—the first aid convoy to enter since fighting resumed. The UN says civilians need protection and humanitarian access must continue.

Border Crisis: Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of an “all-out invasion,” telling the UN Security Council that Eritrean troops advanced deep into Tigray and must withdraw. Eritrea denies the charge, saying Addis Ababa is pursuing aggression and coveting its Red Sea port of Assab. Fighting in Tigray: Reports say Ethiopian drones struck Eritrean military vehicles near Adigrat after troops crossed the border; a security source estimates 5,000 to 8,000 Eritrean soldiers were in the region. Ethiopia says some forces have pulled back. The claims come as federal forces retake Mekelle and other towns from Tigrayan rebels, while the neighbours’ diplomatic ties have been severed. Regional Stakes: Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access and the growing risk of a wider Horn of Africa conflict hang over the standoff. Youth Training: In Eritrea’s Central Region, 1,563 young people completed three months of vocational training across 13 skills, including 337 trainees who received instruction free in Tiravolo.

Border Tensions: Reports say Eritrean troops crossed into Ethiopia’s Tigray region and reached Adigrat, where Ethiopian drone strikes hit military vehicles and ammunition. Addis Ababa demanded their withdrawal; Asmara denied the incursion and accused Ethiopia of seeking a pretext for war. The reports come as fighting between Ethiopian forces and Tigrayan rebels intensifies, raising fears of a wider conflict. Central Region: The National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students says 1,563 young people completed three months of vocational training across 13 skills; 337 trainees took part in Tiravolo sub-zone.

Border Escalation: Ethiopian drones struck Eritrean forces and vehicles near Adigrat, Tigray, overnight Wednesday and Thursday, conflict monitor ACLED and witnesses said. Reports say Eritrean troops crossed into Ethiopia; Asmara denies the allegations and accuses Addis Ababa of inventing a pretext for war. Rising Tensions: The strikes follow renewed fighting in Tigray and the severing of diplomatic ties last week. Ethiopia has demanded Eritrean forces withdraw, while Eritrea says Ethiopia is backing its opponents and seeks access to the Red Sea. Regional Stakes: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has renewed his call for sea access, sharpening fears that the Tigray conflict could spread into a wider confrontation between the neighbours.

Border Tensions: Witnesses and local officials reported Eritrean troops in Adigrat, moving south with heavy weapons as Ethiopian forces advance in Tigray. Asmara rejects Ethiopia’s accusations of backing rebels and disputes the reports; the two countries have severed diplomatic ties. Sea Access Dispute: After taking a new five-year term, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed renewed his call for access to the Red Sea, a longstanding flashpoint with Eritrea. Regional Stakes: The reports of troop movements come as fighting resumes in Tigray and fears grow of a wider conflict. At a recent summit, Eritrea, Egypt, Somalia and Sudan said Red Sea matters should be handled by coastal states.

Tigray Escalation: Local officials and witnesses say Eritrean troops have been in Adigrat for days, with convoys carrying heavy weapons reportedly moving south. Eritrea denies its forces are there, and the accounts have not been independently verified. Ethiopian federal and allied forces have taken Agula’e after heavy fighting, raising fears of a direct clash between the neighbours, whose diplomatic ties were severed last week. Red Sea Tensions: Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed renewed his call for sea access, while Eritrea and three other coastal states say Red Sea governance belongs to littoral countries. Washington has urged both sides to show restraint and return to dialogue. Young Migrants: A UN report says more than 20,000 of 31,100 children who reached Europe in 2025 travelled without a parent or guardian; Eritrea was among the main countries of origin for unaccompanied children arriving in Italy.

Eritrea–Ethiopia Rift Deepens: Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed was sworn in for a new five-year term as fighting flared again in Tigray, and Addis Ababa accused Eritrea of backing armed opponents. Ethiopia also closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, after which Eritrea severed ties—raising fears the renewed war could spill into a wider Horn of Africa conflict. Tigray Fighting and Regional Alarm: Federal and allied forces say they retook Mekelle and pushed back rebels, but clashes and strikes continued, with reports of drone attacks and civilian deaths. EU and US Pressure: The EU warned Ethiopia and Eritrea to de-escalate immediately, urging full implementation of the 2022 ceasefire framework, while the US called for restraint and a return to dialogue. Red Sea Stakes: As tensions rise, Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan reiterated that Red Sea governance belongs to coastal states, while Ethiopia renewed its demand for sea access—keeping the GERD and Red Sea disputes tightly linked.

Ethiopia–Eritrea Tensions: The EU has warned that escalating fighting in Ethiopia and rising hostility with Eritrea could spark a wider Horn of Africa conflict, urging immediate de-escalation, protection of civilians, and full recommitment to the 2022 Pretoria ceasefire framework. Diplomatic Fallout: The latest warnings follow a sharp diplomatic rupture after Ethiopia closed its Asmara embassy and expelled Eritrean diplomats, with Eritrea responding by severing ties and denying Ethiopia’s accusations of support for TPLF-linked forces. Tigray Frontline: In northern Ethiopia, government-allied forces said they are expanding control after TPLF’s pullout from Mekelle, while reports also point to drone strikes hitting displacement areas and fears grow that the conflict could spill beyond Tigray. New Abiy Term: Abiy Ahmed was sworn in for a second five-year term, reiterating plans for Red Sea access and constitutional change, even as the regional row deepens. Regional Push for Talks: Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan issued a joint declaration calling for peaceful solutions and Red Sea governance by coastal states, while backing a Sudan-led political process. Sports (Asmara readers): South Africa’s Bafana Bafana returned from the FIFA window on a high, thrashing Eritrea 5-0 and climbing FIFA rankings—while the MTN8 final is set for 10 October.

Horn of Africa Diplomacy: Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan met in New Alamein and issued a joint declaration calling for political solutions, freedom of navigation, and Red Sea governance by coastal states—while rejecting unilateral moves on Nile water rights. Ethiopia’s Red Sea Push: Re-elected PM Abiy Ahmed doubled down on Ethiopia’s demand for Red Sea access, framing it as a “give and take” right as tensions with neighbours deepen. Tigray Fighting and Civilian Toll: In northern Ethiopia, airstrikes and artillery hit Tigray, killing at least 17, while a drone strike reportedly killed eight in a displacement camp; fighting has also raised fears of wider regional war. Regional Alarm: The EU warned that escalating violence and Eritrea-linked tensions could trigger a broader conflict across the Horn, urging de-escalation and humanitarian access. Bafana Bafana Update: South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane began his second spell with three straight wins in the Afcon window, beating Eritrea and Egypt 1-0 in Cairo, with Puso Dithejane scoring on debut.