Recent developments in Ethiopia’s Tigray region indicate rising tensions stemming from a split within the TPLF, with fears of renewed conflict. A dissident faction has captured Adigrat, raising concerns about foreign involvement and the potential for another humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa. Leaders urge for support from the Ethiopian government, emphasizing the region’s fragile peace.
The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has been characterized as unstable, with recent flight cancellations reported. This instability is attributed to a split within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the faction that previously engaged in conflict with the Ethiopian federal army. Following a devastating two-year war, the TPLF now administers Tigray’s post-war governance amid concerns of impending violence.
During the conflict, Eritrean forces supported the Ethiopian federal army against the TPLF. A peace agreement signed in November 2022 reportedly worsened relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which had not been included in the negotiations. Fears of renewed hostilities stem from a recent division within the TPLF, leading to contrasting factions: one collaborating with the Ethiopian government and another that opposes it.
In a significant escalation, a TPLF dissident faction captured the town of Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest, and accused the leadership of betraying Tigrayan interests. Concurrently, these dissidents have been accused by the interim administration of colluding with Eritrea. Earlier reports detailed the seizure of key facilities and a radio station in Mekelle, the regional capital.
Getachew Reda, head of Tigray’s interim government, has called on the Ethiopian government for support against the dissidents, who deny having links to Eritrea. He acknowledged the strained relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea and expressed concern that the Tigrayan populace might again suffer from an unprovoked war. He further claimed external forces are likely exacerbating tensions in the region, indicating that certain elements may seek to benefit from continued turmoil.
The potential for renewed conflict poses a significant threat to a fragile peace in the region. This unrest could not only undermine the historic reconciliation efforts for which Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, but it may also precipitate another humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, an area already facing immense challenges due to ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Somalia.
In conclusion, the current instability in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is marked by internal divisions within the TPLF and external geopolitical factors that threaten the fragile peace established in 2022. The recent capture of key towns by dissidents and accusations of foreign intervention highlight the precarious situation. The implications extend beyond Tigray, risking further humanitarian crises across the region. Continued attention and intervention may be required to prevent a return to violence.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
