Tensions are rising in Ethiopia’s Tigray region due to infighting among factions, threatening renewed conflict with Eritrea. Despite a peace agreement in 2022, the stability of the region is uncertain. Analysts warn of escalating rivalries, and a coalition of Western embassies calls for dialogue to prevent violence. Local officials have requested assistance from the federal government as fears grow over a return to war.
In Ethiopia’s Tigray region, tensions are escalating due to infighting among rival factions, potentially igniting conflict with neighboring Eritrea. Local officials have called upon the federal government for assistance as a challenger emerges, prompting international embassies to advocate for immediate dialogue to alleviate tension. The ongoing disputes come despite the 2022 peace agreement that aimed to stabilize the region following a devastating conflict which resulted in significant loss of life.
During the previous conflict from 2020 to 2022, Tigray experienced one of the worst humanitarian crises of the century, with estimates of up to 600,000 casualties. The fighting pitted local forces against the Ethiopian federal government, allied militias, and Eritrean troops. Despite the peace deal struck in November 2022, stability remains elusive, and rivalries among factions have intensified.
Veteran politician Getachew Reda, appointed by the federal government to lead Tigray’s interim administration, faces challenges from Debretsion Gebremichael, his former ally and current leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Recent developments include the TPLF seizing control of Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest city, raising fears among residents of a return to the atrocities of the past.
Getachew has accused Debretsion’s faction of attempting to dominate Tigray, leading him to suspend three generals from the Tigray Defence Forces. Analysts express that the delicate relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia could lead to further escalation, with concerns that Eritrea may exploit the instability to initiate military action. Observers note that the situation remains precarious, and political dynamics, including dissatisfaction with the 2022 peace agreement, are contributing to the rising tension.
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have fluctuated significantly since Eritrea’s independence, with violent confrontations driven by territorial disputes in the late 1990s. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace endeavors with Eritrea in 2018, but relations have since deteriorated. An Eritrean official recently accused Ethiopia of launching aggressive campaigns, raising the specter of renewed warfare.
A coalition of Western embassies has emphasized the necessity to prevent violence, urging all parties to adhere to the 2022 peace agreement and to engage in constructive dialogue. France has also advised its citizens in Tigray to stock up on essential supplies and has discouraged travel throughout the region due to ongoing hostilities. Getachew has appealed to the Ethiopian government for non-military assistance, seeking a resolution to the crisis as federal authorities remain silent.
The situation in Tigray remains critical, characterized by increasing rivalries and the risk of renewed conflict with Eritrea. Historical tensions, including previous warfare over territorial claims, highlight the fragile dynamics of the region. Despite a peace agreement aimed at ensuring stability, the resurgence of violence underscores the need for urgent dialogue among the conflicting factions. International intervention and support are crucial to prevent further deterioration and to uphold the peace achieved thus far.
Original Source: www.france24.com
