General Tsadkan Gebretensae warned of imminent war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, citing final military preparations and diminished alliances. He indicated that Tigray could become the battleground. Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome supported these sentiments, as Eritrea faced accusations of exploiting TPLF divisions. Eritrean officials denied such claims and defended their stance regarding regional stability.
General Tsadkan Gebretensae, Vice President of the Tigray Interim Administration, has raised concerns regarding the potential for renewed conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. He emphasized that military preparations are nearing completion, with the Tigray region likely to become a focal point for such hostilities. Tsadkan, who previously served as Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Forces, deems the outbreak of war ‘inevitable’ due to Eritrea’s alleged hostile actions.
In his commentary for The Africa Report, Tsadkan stated, “At any moment, the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out” and warned of broader implications that could affect Sudan and the Red Sea region. He expressed a desire for peace but lamented that the possibilities for diplomatic resolutions are diminishing, leading to war becoming the only feasible option.
He noted that the alliance formed between Ethiopia and Eritrea has weakened following the Pretoria agreement, which had previously facilitated a ceasefire in Tigray. Tsadkan indicated that military preparations are in their final stages, stating, “Once they reach a certain point, it becomes very hard to hold [them] back.”
Tsadkan criticized Eritrea for engaging in “predatory behaviour” in the region, identifying Tigray as a key obstacle to Eritrea’s aspirations. He suggested that Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki perceives the Pretoria agreement as a setback to his ambitions. Additionally, he commented on factions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), asserting their alliances with Eritrea were misguided.
Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome echoed these concerns, accusing Isaias of attempting to exploit divisions within the TPLF to destabilize the peace agreement. In a recent opinion piece, he warned that Isaias’s maneuvers could reignite conflict in northern Ethiopia and dismantle existing peace efforts. Furthermore, he noted Eritrean support for factional divisions within the TPLF.
Eritrean officials have dismissed these accusations, with Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel labeling them as unfounded claims meant to support a warmongering agenda. Eritrea contended that Ethiopia’s internal conflicts should not be attributed to external influences, asserting that the underlying issues originate from within Ethiopia itself. They also rejected suggestions of military involvement in Ethiopia, clarifying that the Pretoria Agreement is strictly an Ethiopian issue.
In summary, the prospects of renewed military conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea are increasingly plausible, as General Tsadkan has clarified that preparations for war are nearly complete. While he hopes for peaceful resolutions, he describes the current situation as precarious. The ramifications of such a conflict would extend beyond their borders, affecting regional stability. Eritrean officials have vehemently denied allegations of interference or military presence, indicating a complex geopolitical landscape that warrants close scrutiny.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
