The Tigray region in Ethiopia is facing instability with reports of potential conflict with Eritrea. Tensions stem from a split within the TPLF and recent territorial disputes. Leaders warn that renewed violence could lead to a humanitarian disaster, jeopardizing previous peace efforts and affecting ongoing regional crises.
The Tigray region of Ethiopia is experiencing heightened tension, with reports suggesting the potential for renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. As conveyed by a source to ACI Africa, the situation remains unstable, and flights in the area have reportedly been canceled. Concerns are growing following the civil war that concluded with a peace agreement in November 2022, which resulted in significant loss of life.
Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae, a vice president in Tigray’s interim administration, has indicated that war could erupt at any moment, heightening concerns among the populace. This renewed instability stems from a division within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has created distinct factions aligned with and against the Ethiopian federal government. Issues arose after Eritrean forces intervened during the prior conflict, further complicating relations.
Tensions escalated when a dissident faction captured the northern town of Adigrat, accusing the TPLF leadership of compromising Tigrayan interests. Concurrently, the TPLF faction governing Tigray has sought assistance from the Ethiopian government against these dissidents. Getachew Reda, head of the interim administration, expressed concern over the potential consequences for the Tigrayan people and accused external forces, including Eritrea, of inflaming the situation for their gain.
The implications of a new conflict could be dire, potentially undoing the peace process initiated in 2019 that earned Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed a Nobel Peace Prize, and leading to a humanitarian disaster exacerbated by ongoing crises in the broader Horn of Africa. Recent reports suggest that a conflict could complicate humanitarian aid efforts already strained by existing conflicts in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan.
In summary, the Tigray region is facing significant instability, with various factions within the TPLF potentially igniting renewed conflict with Eritrea. The community’s concerns about the potential return to war manifest in political tensions and territorial disputes, particularly the recent capture of Adigrat. The ramifications of such a conflict could be catastrophic, affecting not only the region but also the ongoing humanitarian crises across the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.catholicnewsagency.com
