By EFREM TESFAGABR
Eritrea is reportedly rebuilding and strengthening its military following the lifting of an arms embargo seven years ago, triggering concerns over regional stability, particularly in neighboring Ethiopia, according to a new report by the U.S.-based watchdog group The Sentry.
The report, released on Monday, alleges that Eritrea’s enhanced military activities are contributing to growing instability in the Horn of Africa.
“With sanctions lifted, Eritrea’s military is rebuilding its army, strengthening its defenses, and continuing to destabilize its neighbors,” The Sentry stated.
The organization points specifically to increased Eritrean military posturing near the Ethiopian border and what it describes as “active interference” in the affairs of neighboring states.
Eritrea has firmly denied the accusations, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Eritrean government however dismissed The Sentry’s findings as “fabricated and misleading,” and accused Ethiopia of fueling tensions in the region.
“These allegations are not grounded in facts but are rather a continuation of a disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Eritrea’s sovereignty,” the Eritrean Ministry of Information said.
Historical Context
Eritrea and Ethiopia were locked in a brutal border conflict from 1998 to 2000 that claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Although a peace agreement was signed in 2018, relations between the two countries have remained fragile, often marked by mistrust and periodic flare-ups along their shared border.
The arms embargo was originally imposed by the United Nations and key international partners in response to Eritrea’s alleged support for armed groups in Somalia and elsewhere.
It was lifted in 2018 following the landmark peace deal and international reassurances of Eritrea’s compliance with regional stability efforts.
Since then, however, watchdogs and regional analysts have expressed concern that Eritrea has used the lifting of the sanctions to quietly rebuild its military might.
Regional Implications
The Sentry’s report suggests that Eritrea’s military buildup could have broader implications for the Horn of Africa, a region already grappling with conflict in Sudan, political unrest in Ethiopia, and insecurity in Somalia.
“The military resurgence of Eritrea risks igniting new tensions and undoing the fragile peace gains in the region,” said Alex Roundtree, one of the lead researchers of the report.
“Without robust diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation, there is a real danger of escalation.”
Ethiopian officials have not formally responded to the report, though some Ethiopian commentators have welcomed the findings as validation of long-standing concerns.
International Response
So far, the international community has not publicly addressed the claims in the report.
However, observers suggest that the findings could reignite calls for closer monitoring of Eritrea’s military activities and a renewed push for regional peace mechanisms.
As tensions simmer, analysts warn that the Horn of Africa remains one of the most volatile regions in the world — and that sustainable peace will depend on transparency, dialogue, and mutual restraint.
