Ethiopia Ups Rhetoric Against Eritrea

Recent statements from the Ethiopian government have included threats and accusations, veiled and overt, against Eritrea. This does not necessarily mean an imminent return to war for the two countries — Addis Ababa may be using the rhetoric of an external tormentor to stifle domestic dissent amid instability in the Middle East and North Africa. However, the two countries have remained hostile toward one another since the end of their previous war from 1998 to 2000, and the possibility thus remains for another armed interstate conflict.