Ethiopia’s Tigray interim government has called on federal authorities for intervention after the TPLF faction seized key towns, raising fears of renewed conflict. The situation escalated following internal TPLF disputes, with concerns regarding adherence to peace agreements highlighted by interim leader Getachew Reda. Widespread injury reports during these confrontations have compounded fears of a crisis in the region.
Ethiopia’s Tigray interim government has urgently requested federal intervention following a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) seizing control of two significant towns. The TPLF faction took Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest town, on Tuesday, and subsequently established a new administrator, ousting the previous one loyal to the interim government. On Wednesday, they captured Adi-Gudem, resulting in injuries to individuals during an attempted occupation of a government facility.
This power struggle follows a devastating two-year conflict between the TPLF and federal forces, ending in November 2022 with a peace agreement and the emergence of a TPLF-led interim government. It is reported that hundreds of thousands died in the conflict that began in November 2020, with millions displaced and a significant portion of the population experiencing famine.
Since the conclusion of the war, the TPLF has fractured. In October, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael expelled interim government head Getachew Reda and four cabinet members from the party. In response, Reda temporarily suspended four senior military commanders perceived as aligned with Gebremichael.
A statement from the Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau expressed concerns that “the region may be on the brink of another crisis.” Reda has labeled the actions of the TPLF as a potential coup attempt, calling for the international community to closely monitor the escalating situation in Tigray.
He stated, “The parties to the Pretoria Agreement should really take into account the deteriorating situation in Tigray and the far-reaching ramifications of the unraveling of the Pretoria agreements.” Meanwhile, TPLF deputy chairman Amanuel Assefa asserted that the current issues are unrelated to the Pretoria agreement but are fundamentally about law enforcement. He reinforced that the TPLF sees itself as a rightful steward of the agreements made in Pretoria, minimizing the likelihood of actions that would infringe upon them.
Ethiopia’s Tigray region is experiencing renewed tension following the seizure of key towns by a faction of the TPLF, raising fears of a regression into civil conflict. The interim government has appealed for federal intervention amid concerns of escalating violence and political instability. Calls for international oversight emphasize the critical nature of adhering to previous peace agreements and the fragility of the current geopolitical situation in Tigray.
Original Source: apnews.com
