The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has officially displayed a new map of Ethiopia that appears to incorporate Assab, a port city in neighboring Eritrea, drawing political scrutiny and raising concerns about escalating tensions between the two countries.
The map was showcased during the fourth round graduation ceremony of ENDF Special Forces, attended by Lt. Gen. Shuma Abdeta, commander of the Special Operations Division.
Anonymous political commentators told The Horn Frequency that the map’s inclusion of Assab was unlikely to be a simple mistake. They argued that the move could further aggravate already strained relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea amid unresolved political and military disputes.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Boja Aga, head of the Special Training Center, said graduating cadets had completed advanced military training, including daytime and nighttime operational techniques.
The development comes amid heightened regional sensitivity over Ethiopia’s stated interest in Red Sea access, particularly the strategic Assab port. Foreign Policy has listed the Ethiopia-Eritrea standoff among the 10 conflicts most likely to erupt in 2026, warning of potential instability across East Africa.
Eritrean authorities have been releasing counter-narratives in response to statements and actions by Ethiopian officials, underscoring continued diplomatic friction between the two neighbors.
