Getachew Reda, Tigray Regional Interim Administration President, warned of potential civil war due to the seizure of a town by a rival TPLF faction. He called for administrative support from the federal government, while 25 foreign missions emphasized the need for a cessation of hostilities and de-escalation of tensions in Tigray following the Pretoria Agreement. The TPLF’s split has exacerbated administrative struggles, impacting regional stability.
In a recent address, Getachew Reda, President of the Tigray Regional Interim Administration, cautioned that the region could revert to civil war following the capture of a critical town by a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF has divided into two opposing groups since August, escalating tensions in northern Ethiopia.
Reda accused the breakaway faction of forming alliances with external forces, notably Eritrea, which could provoke renewed hostilities. He called upon the federal government to render administrative assistance rather than military intervention, insisting that his request aims to safeguard stability within the interim administration.
Following Reda’s statements, a coalition of 25 foreign missions, including those from countries such as the United States and Japan, urged all parties involved to adhere to the Pretoria Agreement and de-escalate rising tensions. They reaffirmed their support for the cessation of hostilities that commenced in November 2022, which successfully halted the fighting at that time.
The TPLF’s division has resulted in conflict over control of key towns and administrative resources within Tigray since the agreement’s signing. Reda reported that his rival, Debretsion Gebremichael, seized administrative power in Adigrat through force, a claim corroborated by Debretsion’s faction on Facebook. Reda has also dismissed three senior military officials, accusing them of attempting to incite conflict within the region.
The situation in Tigray remains precarious as the region confronts the threat of renewed conflict amidst internal divisions. President Getachew Reda’s warnings and the international community’s call for adherence to the Pretoria Agreement highlight the urgent need for dialogue and preservation of peace. Continued instability poses significant risks to the rehabilitation process and societal well-being in the region.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
