The Tigray regional government has requested federal intervention due to a faction of the TPLF seizing two towns, raising concerns of renewed civil war. This follows a history of conflict and recent internal divisions within the TPLF that could threaten stability in the region.
The interim government of Ethiopia’s Tigray region has urgently requested intervention from the Ethiopian federal government after a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) captured two significant towns, sparking concerns of renewed civil conflict. The TPLF took control of Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest town, and later seized Adi-Gudem, leaving several individuals injured during these confrontations.
The TPLF had previously engaged in a devastating two-year conflict with federal forces that concluded in November 2022 with a peace agreement establishing a TPLF-led interim government. The conflict resulted in hundreds of thousands of fatalities and the displacement of millions, with many facing famine conditions in Ethiopia, the second-most populous nation in Africa.
Since the conclusion of the war, the TPLF has fractured internally. In October, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael dismissed interim government chief Getachew Reda along with four cabinet members. Reda retaliated by suspending four senior military leaders whom he perceived as aligned with Gebremichael’s faction, leading to escalating tensions within the party.
A statement from the Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau warned that the region is possibly facing a new crisis. Reda characterized the TPLF’s actions as a “potential coup attempt,” emphasizing the importance of international oversight in light of the deteriorating conditions in Tigray post-conflict.
Conversely, TPLF deputy chairman Amanuel Assefa asserted that the present crises are unrelated to the Pretoria Peace Agreement, emphasizing that the TPLF and Tigray forces are rightful proprietors of this agreement, indicating that there is no justification for actions that might infringe upon it.
In summary, the situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is precarious, with a faction of the TPLF seizing key towns, prompting appeals for federal intervention. The ongoing internal strife within the TPLF raises alarms about a potential resurgence of civil war, highlighting the need for careful international monitoring of the situation. Both regional leaders emphasize differing perspectives on the implications of the Pretoria Peace Agreement amidst these tensions.
Original Source: apnews.com
