Ethiopia’s Tigray region faces renewed conflict fears due to internal TPLF divisions and rising Eritrea tensions. Recent clashes in Mekele highlight deep political rifts and humanitarian issues following the 2020-2022 war. Experts warn of possible proxy war dynamics, necessitating swift action to prevent escalation.
Following the peace deal two years ago, renewed fears of conflict loom over Ethiopia’s Tigray region due to internal divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and escalating tensions with Eritrea. Residents express anxiety as they face long fuel lines, frantic bank withdrawals, and skyrocketing food prices, all while recovering from a devastating war that resulted in an estimated 600,000 casualties. The TPLF, which governed Ethiopia for nearly three decades, remains embroiled in post-war challenges.
Recent clashes in Mekele, the capital of Tigray, erupted after the interim administration dismissed three senior officers from the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF). By mid-March, the TDF regained control over significant governmental institutions and reasserted its presence in Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest city.
Crucial to the ongoing crisis are the internal disagreements within the TPLF concerning delays in executing the peace agreement reached in November 2022. Over one million displaced Tigrayans cannot return home; the TDF’s disarmament remains incomplete, and Eritrean soldiers, referred to as “foreign forces,” continue to occupy regions in Ethiopia.
Concerns over Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s commitment to the peace deal aggravate tensions. Historian Gérard Prunier asserts, “He aims to further marginalize the Tigrayans, who once ruled Ethiopia but have been sidelined from power for the past decade.” Additionally, leadership conflicts between Tigray’s interim administrator and the TPLF president contribute to the instability.
The relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea is also strained, leading to fears of potential calamities. Reports suggest that Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki met with loyal TDF leaders, which emphasizes the mounting apprehension surrounding a possible proxy war. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae warns that imminent conflict is possible, urging for preventative measures to safeguard the region from instability.
The situation in Tigray reflects deep-seated internal divisions within the TPLF that could trigger renewed conflict, exacerbated by heightened Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions. With critical political power struggles, ongoing humanitarian crises, and disrupted peace agreements, urgent resolutions are necessary to prevent further turmoil and protect the affected populations.
Original Source: international.la-croix.com
