Addis calls for end to Eritrea's "aggressive posturing"

The Ethiopian government has called on the international community to help curb what it describes as Eritrean aggression in the Horn of Africa.

A statement issued by the information ministry accused the Eritrean government of playing a “subversive” role in the region.

It also said that Yemen, Sudan and Ethiopia would “act together” to prevent the tiny Red Sea country from "destabilising" the Horn.

“The Eritrean government is in a state of hostility with the Sudan and Yemen too,” the Ethiopian statement said.

Earlier this month, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir and Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh attended a two-day summit in Yemen.

Tensions between Sudan and Eritrea increased after Khartoum accused Asmara of helping Sudanese rebels, charges strongly denied by the Eritrean government.

Yemen and Eritrea have also faced problems over several tiny islands - known as the Hanish Islands - in the Red Sea, which led to a dispute over ownership.

“The world is well aware of the worst form of human rights violations which the Eritrean regime is perpetrating over its own people,” the Ethiopian government said.

“The task of dealing with this belligerent and aggressive government within Eritrea is the exclusive duty of the Eritrean people. However countries of the sub-region have to work together to stop the regime from destabilising our region."

“Ethiopia, the Sudan and Yemen have agreed to act together towards this goal," the statement said.

“Needless to say the international community at large must not tolerate the continuation of the Eritrean government’s aggressive posturing,” the statement added.