Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome Wirtu has accused Eritrean leader Isaias Afwerki of exploiting divisions within the TPLF, warning that this could undermine the Pretoria Peace Agreement and reignite conflict in northern Ethiopia. Mulatu called for international diplomacy to counter Isaias’s disruptive actions, emphasizing the potential catastrophic impacts on regional and global stability.
Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, the former president of Ethiopia, has voiced concerns regarding Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki’s manipulation of existing divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). In an opinion piece for Al Jazeera dated February 17, he warned that these actions could destabilize the Pretoria Peace Agreement and lead to renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia.
Mulatu, who presided over Ethiopia from October 2013 to October 2018, claims that Isaias is forming alliances with factions of the TPLF dissatisfied with the peace agreement, which he believes could unravel the accord and disrupt the region’s stability. He asserts that such developments might result in significant ramifications for both Ethiopia and its neighboring countries.
The former president further accused Isaias of orchestrating a militia within Ethiopia’s Amhara state and of exacerbating fissures within the TPLF. He cautions that this could threaten the interim administration established under the peace agreement, potentially leading to devastating consequences for the country and the overall region.
Mulatu highlighted Eritrea’s historical involvement in conflicts across the Horn of Africa, asserting that Isaias has always sought to propagate instability. He noted that Isaias utilized the TPLF’s failed attempt to regain power in 2020 as an opportunity for Eritrean intervention, regarding the 2022 Pretoria Agreement as a setback to his ambition for influence.
Emphasizing the importance of stability in Ethiopia amidst crises in Sudan, Somalia, and the Sahel, Mulatu warned that a chain of chaos extending from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa would have catastrophic effects, potentially empowering extremist groups, such as al-Shabab and ISIL, and disrupting global trade routes.
In light of these circumstances, he urged both global and regional stakeholders to intervene and constrain leaders who threaten peace, like Isaias Afwerki. He concluded that the implications of the current situation extend beyond Africa, marking it as a global challenge that requires urgent attention.
In summary, former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome Wirtu has raised serious concerns about Isaias Afwerki’s actions, suggesting they threaten the fragile peace established by the Pretoria Agreement. His warnings highlight the potential for renewed conflict and regional destabilization, advising a concerted diplomatic response to avert further escalation. Mulatu emphasizes the broader implications of this situation for global stability and peace.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
