France’s foreign ministry has advised against travel to Tigray, Ethiopia, due to escalating clashes among TPLF factions. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties since 2020, and fears of Eritrean involvement are rising. The peace agreement signed in 2022 faces implementation delays, leading to increased tensions within the region.
France’s foreign ministry recently issued a warning advising its citizens against traveling to Tigray in northern Ethiopia. This caution comes amid escalating clashes between factions of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in the cities of Mekele and Adigrat. The ministry’s website stated, “In view of the ongoing internal clashes in Tigray, particularly in Adigrat and Mekele, travel throughout the Tigray region is now formally inadvisable.” Furthermore, French nationals currently in Tigray were urged to evacuate as soon as possible.
The Tigray region has experienced significant turmoil since the conflict escalated between federal forces, local militias, the Eritrean army, and Tigrayan rebels from November 2020 to November 2022. This devastating conflict resulted in the loss of at least 600,000 lives, according to the African Union. A peace agreement reached in Pretoria, South Africa mandated the establishment of an interim administration to govern Tigray until elections could occur. However, delays in implementing the terms of this agreement have fostered internal divisions within the TPLF.
Tensions have further intensified with Getachew Reda, head of the interim administration appointed by Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy, battling for supremacy over rival Debretsion Gebremichael. In a recent interview, Getachew announced the suspension of three generals from the Tigray Defence Forces, alleging an attempt by the rival faction to take control of Tigray entirely.
Concerns are mounting regarding a potential invasion of Tigray by Eritrea, a historical rival to Ethiopia. Kjetil Tronvoll, an expert from Oslo University, noted, “We have been close to a new conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia for the past two years.” The evolving geopolitical circumstances, including President Isaias Afwerki’s dissatisfaction with the 2022 peace agreement and Abiy’s aspirations for a port on the Red Sea, may exacerbate tensions further.
Since his rise to power in 2018, Abiy has received accolades for achieving peace with Eritrea, including the Nobel Peace Prize. However, the cessation of hostilities has fostered a reemergence of strained relations post-2022. General Tsadkan Gebretensae, a senior strategist for the Tigray forces under Getachew, warned, “A war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out at any moment,” emphasizing the precarious state of affairs in the region.
In summary, the French foreign ministry’s warning highlights the deteriorating security situation in Tigray, Ethiopia, due to ongoing internal conflicts among TPLF factions. The historical tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea add further complexity to the region’s stability, raising fears of potential military actions. As the peace agreement faces implementation delays and divisions within TPLF escalate, the situation remains precarious, warranting significant attention from the international community.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
