The Ethiopian government has distanced itself from an opinion piece penned by the country’s former president Mulatu Teshome, which provoked a strongly worded response from Asmara.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nebiat Getachew, said during a press briefing that the former president’s remarks reflected his personal views, based on his experience in the region.

Writing in Al Jazeera on February 17, Mulatu Teshome, Ethiopia’s president from 2013 to 2018 and a close ally of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accused Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki of “working to reignite conflict in northern Ethiopia” and urged global pressure on Eritrea to prevent such a disaster.

“It seems Isaias is not just drawn to conflict but he seeks it out and thrives on it, like a pyromaniac who can’t resist setting fires,” Mulatu wrote. “War is the main business and preoccupation of the Eritrean state. Stirring conflict here and there, supporting rebels, insurgents or governments seeking war and division throughout the region seems to be the raison d’etre of the Eritrean state. Today, Isaias is once again engaged in manoeuvres that are as destructive as they are predictable.”

“The world must act. Diplomatic pressure must be exerted against those who want to see an end to peace, like Isaias.”

Last week, Eritrea’s Information Minister, Yemane Gebre Meskel, dismissed the allegations as “a false-flag alarm and warmongering” in a detailed response on X. He described the “former figurehead president’s” criticism as being driven by “ill intent and provocations.”

The Ethiopian government had remained silent on the issue until the latest media briefing, during which Nebiat Getachew stated that the remarks did not reflect the government’s position.

Faced with rising tensions with Ethiopia, the Eritrean government is reportedly considering closing its embassy in Addis Ababa and appealing to its veterans to join training centres.