The Tigray conflict escalates as Getachew Reda convenes Western ambassadors to discuss military advancements by a rival TPLF faction. Reda expresses concerns over civilian casualties and urges Addis Ababa’s government for a collaborative approach to maintain peace. Despite recent military actions, Ethiopian officials have remained silent on the matter, raising questions about stability in the region.
In response to recent military advances by a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Getachew Reda, the interim president of the Tigray region, convened ambassadors from major Western nations, including Italy. The objective was to share concerns and seek diplomatic measures to prevent further conflict. Reda detailed the pressing challenges faced by his administration and emphasized the need for all parties to the Pretoria peace agreement to work diligently to avert renewed warfare.
The TPLF, historically the ruling party in Tigray, has fractured into two factions: one led by Reda and the other by Debretsion Gebremichael, the former regional president. Recently, Reda’s leadership faced scrutiny, resulting in his reassignment as vice president, a role now held by Amanuel Assefa. Concurrently, Reda acknowledged the rival faction’s strategic gains, including the capture of Adigrat and control over Mekele’s airport.
Reports indicated civilian casualties during protests in Adi Gudom, where militiamen, aligned with the TPLF, allegedly opened fire on demonstrators. This military escalation followed the recent dismissal of three high-ranking army officers by Reda, aimed at preventing an internal conflict. In the wake of these developments, Reda urged the federal government of Ethiopia to reconsider its approach and align with the interests of the Tigray administration.
Reda condemned the current military actions, labeling them as decisions made by a few offending officers attempting to usurp control over Tigray. He expressed that such violent efforts contradicted the will of the Tigray people and the Pretoria peace accords established to resolve the conflict from 2020 to 2022. Despite the serious ramifications of these developments, no official comments have emerged from the Ethiopian government or Debretsion regarding the situation.
The Tigray conflict’s complexity has escalated as factions within the TPLF vie for control, prompting urgent calls for diplomatic intervention from the international community. The actions of Debretsion’s faction and the implications for regional stability necessitate careful monitoring and proactive engagement to prevent further violence and uphold the peace established by the Pretoria agreement.
Original Source: www.agenzianova.com