Moscow proposes mediation during the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit as military tensions escalate between the two Horn of Africa nations
Borkena Desk
TORONTO, Canada — Russia has expressed willingness to mediate between Ethiopia and Eritrea as the two Horn of Africa nations move toward potential military escalation.
According to a BBC Amharic report, Alimov Alexander Sergeevitch, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, reportedly told Izvestia newspaper that Moscow is ready to mediate.
If both nations are willing, Russia intends to undertake mediation efforts during the Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled for October 28–29, 2026, in Moscow.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reportedly accepted an invitation to attend the summit following a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit last month. According to the BBC, Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki is also expected to attend, having visited Russia several times in recent years.
It remains unclear whether the two countries—both of which maintain good relations with Russia—have expressed interest in the proposal.
Earlier this week, the Awuramba Times, an Ethiopian news source with ties to Tigray, reported that Eritrean forces withdrew from most of the Tigray region, retaining a presence only in a few kebeles within the Irob district along the border. Clashes between the two militaries have occurred, but so far fighting has been confined to Ethiopian soil, with the Ethiopian Defense Force relying primarily on drone strikes.
Pro-ruling party Ethiopian media outlets and social media activists claimed Eritrean forces suffered losses in the drone strikes, whereas Eritrea has denied maintaining a military presence in Ethiopia.
This week, the U.S. Secretary of State spoke with the Ethiopian Prime Minister by phone, urging Ethiopia not to cross the Eritrean border. Eritrea has accused the Prosperity Party government of intending to take the Port of Assab by force. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has maintained that Ethiopia will secure access to the Red Sea through negotiation or by any means necessary.
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