Bonus Episode: Will Ethiopia and Eritrea Start a Regional War?

Bonus Episode: Will Ethiopia and Eritrea Start a Regional War?

From The Horn by International Crisis Group

March 4, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

The episode discusses rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the potential for regional conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Today we're bringing you a bonus from Crisis Group's Global Podcast Hold Your Fire! . In this episode of Hold Your Fire! , Richard speaks with Crisis Group Africa director Murithi Mutiga about rising Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions and the growing risk of another war in the Horn of Africa. They discuss how political divisions in Tigray and Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access are sharpening fault lines between Addis Ababa and Asmara. They examine how Gulf and Middle Eastern rivalries could shape any Ethiopia–Eritrea confrontation and increase the risk of wider regional conflagration, including the danger of spillover from Sudan’s war. They also explore how global political shifts are playing out in Africa, reactions to U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” and the prospects for coalitions of mid-sized Western and non-Western powers to act collectively.  For more, check out our briefing, “ Ethiopia, Eritrea and Tigray: A Powder Keg in the Horn of Africa ”, and our Ethiopia-Eritrea page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Richard

Guest: Murithi Mutiga

Topics covered

  • Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions
  • regional conflict
  • Horn of Africa
  • political divisions
  • Gulf rivalries
  • global political shifts

Keywords

  • Ethiopia
  • Eritrea
  • regional war
  • Horn of Africa
  • Tigray
  • Gulf rivalries
  • political divisions
  • Donald Trump

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Crisis Group

Places: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Horn of Africa, Tigray, Addis Ababa, Asmara, Red Sea, Sudan

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