Ethio-Eritrean Relation: From Jubilant Liaison to Paroxysm Hostility Since 2018.

This article examines the evolution of Ethiopia–Eritrea relations from hopeful rapprochement following the 2018 peace initiative by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to renewed hostility marked by proxy conflicts and regional tensions. After decades of war and a fragile peace, the 2018 Declaration of Peace and Friendship ended the border dispute and initiated diplomatic normalization, supported by regional and international actors including Saudi Arabia. However, political dynamics such as the conflict involving the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the Amhara ethnic militia known as Fano, and Ethiopia's pursuit of Red Sea access have contributed to escalating antagonism. The article highlights the complex interplay of historical grievances, ethnic nationalism, and geopolitical interests that continue to challenge sustainable peace and regional stability in the Horn of Africa. It concludes with recommendations emphasizing transparent governance, conflict de-escalation, international support for peacebuilding, and cooperative management of shared resources like access to the sea.