Residents of Mekelle, Ethiopia’s Tigray region, are increasingly fearful of renewed conflict as tensions threaten the peace agreement that ended the civil war. Despite a semblance of normalcy, lingering trauma and unresolved issues from the past war impact the community as they brace for potential violence. The power struggle within the TPLF and the interim administration exacerbates these concerns, with implications extending toward Eritrean relations.
Residents in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, express heightened fears of being drawn into renewed conflict. This anxiety stems from escalating tensions that jeopardize the fragile peace agreement established in late 2022, which ended a devastating civil war that claimed approximately half a million lives. Many are either relocating to the federal capital, Addis Ababa, or preparing for emergencies by stockpiling supplies and withdrawing their savings from banks.
Tseganesh Kassa, a former combatant who was left injured from the war, lamented, “I am now a disabled person and my family has been [ruined] economically. I don’t want to see that again.” She highlighted the plight of displaced individuals still residing in makeshift camps, emphasizing the crucial need to avoid another war at all costs.
The Tigray region, once the focal point of strife, experienced relative peace following the signing of a treaty between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). However, power struggles within the TPLF and the interim administration have emerged, involving accusations of attempts to seize power by force and neglect of urgent issues facing former fighters and the displaced.
Concerns are mounting that the peace agreement may collapse, with the prospect of renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea becoming increasingly alarming. Historical tensions have resurfaced, particularly as Eritrea supported the Ethiopian government during the Tigray war. Accusations linger regarding gross abuses committed by both sides during the conflict, and Eritrean troops are alleged to still occupy parts of Tigray, further straining relations.
Locals in Mekelle exhibit signs of weariness towards further violence. Young individuals express a desire for peace, with Tesfay Gebreabgzi stating, “The youths are tired of violence.” Many families have been deeply affected by the previous conflict, as articulated by residents like Haimanot Gebremariam, whose son suffered permanent wounds during the fighting.
While the region has yet to fully recover from the devastation of war, exhibiting trauma and significant displacement, there remains a semblance of normalcy as daily business operations continue. Still, the specter of past violence looms large as residents remain watchful of developments, particularly those concerning Tigray’s leadership amid fears of instability in the region.
The Tigray region remains gripped by fear as tensions rise, threatening the tenuous peace established after a brutal civil war. Residents express deep anxiety about the possibility of renewed conflict, with many still grappling with the scars of past violence. As power struggles within Tigray’s leadership continue, the potential for a breakdown of peace agreements looms, posing grave implications not only for the region but also for relations with neighboring Eritrea. The community remains vigilant, hoping for stability amidst their tragic history.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
