The Tigray region of Ethiopia is experiencing renewed conflict as the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) seizes control of key cities, challenging the federal government’s provisional administration. This escalation follows a significant party split within the TPLF and is further complicated by external influences from Eritrea and Egypt, raising concerns over a potential return to widespread violence in the region.
The situation in Tigray, Ethiopia, is rapidly escalating as conflicts flare once more, nearly two and a half years after the Pretoria agreements aimed at ending the prior violent strife. On a recent Wednesday, forces from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) regained control of Adigrate, the second largest city in Tigray, displacing the provisional administration set up by the federal government. The TPLF announced the new city administration, accusing the dismissed officials of allegiance to the Addis Ababa government rather than to Tigray’s interests.
Following the capture of Adigrate, TPLF forces also seized control of Mekele’s airport, amidst reports of gunfire in Adi Gudom, where local militia allegedly attacked demonstrators protesting the TPLF’s aggressive actions. This resurgence of power by the TPLF follows the removal of high-ranking army officers amid accusations they sought to plunge Tigray into further chaos. The TPLF’s offensive aims to dismantle the provisional administration imposed by the federal government after the Tigray conflict concluded in 2022.
A notable rift within the TPLF emerged last August, dividing the party into two factions led by Getachew Reda and Debretsion Gebremichael. Following Reda’s removal as vice-president, Amanuel Assaf assumed the role, highlighting the party’s shifting dynamics. As tensions spurred, Reda has urged the federal government to support his administration, expressing concerns regarding the legitimacy of military commanders acting on their own. He stated that the federal government should recognize that those acting in the name of the security forces do not represent the interests of the Tigray people.
In response to accusations from Mikkele’s administration, the breakaway faction of the TPLF criticized calls for outside intervention and argued that such actions threaten the fragile peace established by the Pretoria agreement. They claimed recent dismissals of military leaders were illegitimate strategies to undermine the Tigray military, stressing that the TPLF remains a crucial guardian of peace in the region.
Tigray’s opposition parties have aligned themselves with Reda’s interim administration in condemning what they view as attempts to destabilize governance through a coup. These parties expressly accused Eritrea of inciting conflict, indicating Egypt’s involvement as another disruptive influence. They have called for international intervention to prevent further escalation, with fears that the conflict could spiral into a more extensive regional crisis.
Regional powers, particularly Egypt and Eritrea, are perceived to be exacerbating the crisis by backing factions opposed to the interim government. Reports suggest TPLF leaders have been involved in gold smuggling, with Eritrea allegedly providing military support during the past conflict with the federal government. Additionally, recent geopolitical shifts indicate a re-alignment among Cairo, Eritrea, and Somalia aimed at counterbalancing Ethiopia’s influence. Accusations have escalated, with former Ethiopian officials alleging Eritrea’s collusion with hostile TPLF factions as tensions continue to mount in the Horn of Africa.
The renewed conflict in Tigray highlights the complexities within Ethiopian politics and the influence of regional powers. As the TPLF regains control of significant areas, tensions are exacerbated by internal divisions within the party and external pressures from neighboring nations. The potential for a broader conflict looms, underscoring the urgent need for diplomatic interventions and adherence to the prior peace agreements. A unified front among Tigrayan parties against perceived threats is expected to influence the region’s stability moving forward.
Original Source: www.agenzianova.com
