Tensions are escalating in Tigray, Ethiopia, as travel warnings from France reflect fears of renewed conflict after a devastating war from 2020 to 2022. Disputes among rival factions are intensifying despite a peace agreement in 2022, with local leaders challenging governmental authority. The French foreign ministry has advised against travel to the region, urging citizens to prepare emergency supplies as unrest continues to rise.
In the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray, tensions between rival factions are escalating, prompting France to issue travel warnings. The region previously experienced a catastrophic war from 2020 to 2022, which resulted in an estimated 600,000 fatalities. During this conflict, local forces clashed with the federal government, supporting militias, and Eritrea’s military.
Despite a peace agreement established in November 2022, Tigray remains unstable, with ongoing disputes among factions intensifying. The federal government has appointed Getachew Reda, a veteran politician from Tigray, to lead an interim administration. However, he faces challenges from Debretsion Gebremichael, the head of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
Recently, forces loyal to Debretsion seized control of Adigrat, the second largest city in Tigray. One local resident expressed, “The town is under renewed tension, the population fears a return to the bad old days of the war.” In response to growing unrest, Getachew suspended three generals from the Tigray Defense Forces, alleging attempts by the rival faction to dominate the region.
The French foreign ministry has advised against traveling throughout Tigray due to increased internal conflicts in areas such as Adigrat and Mekele. They further urged French citizens in Tigray to stock up on emergency supplies and exercise extreme caution.
Getachew’s administration has appealed to the Ethiopian government for unspecified assistance. The federal government in Addis Ababa has not yet provided any comments on the current situation. In February, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed concern for the Tigrayan people, noting that they “still live in fear and terror amid rumors of war.” Additionally, France has recommended avoiding unnecessary travel to the northern Afar region, which is experiencing rising tensions with Eritrea.
The situation in Tigray highlights the fragility of peace despite a prior agreement, as ongoing disputes among factions threaten to rejuvenate conflict. The French government’s travel warnings underscore the urgent need for stabilization amid fears of renewed hostilities. It remains essential for local and international authorities to monitor these developments closely to ensure humanitarian support and maintain peace.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
