Eritrea has celebrated independence as the president lauded the nation's ability to defeat challenges and defend its sovereignty.

President Isaias Afwerki - who has been in power since Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in the 1990s - said the country had "refused to succumb to slavery, colonialism, deceit, the logic of force, and subordination".

He also accused unknown forces who tried to keep Eritrea "hostage through the continuous fomenting and managing of crises" in the region.

He appeared to be referring to the dispute with Ethiopia over the location of the border, which resulted in a conflict between the two countries two decades ago.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for restoring relations with Mr Isaias' government.

In his address, Mr Isaias president said: "our patience, in the face of occupation of our sovereign territories for 20 years, has also paid off".

Eritrean soldiers have been supporting the Ethiopian forces in the Tigray region conflict where regional and federal forces have clashed.

The international community has been calling for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops after accusations of abuse of human rights.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, announced visa restrictions on Ethiopian and Eritrean officials and others who are accused of atrocities.

Ethiopia in its part said it will "reassess" its relationship with the US if it continues to "meddle in its internal affairs".