Tension in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is escalating, raising fears of renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Experts warn of instability, exacerbated by the TPLF’s internal split and external influences, with the potential for significant humanitarian repercussions. Church leaders have yet to comment officially on the unrest.
Ethiopia’s Tigray region is facing heightened tension, with experts expressing concerns about a potential war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Although church leaders have not yet provided official comments, reports indicate a growing state of unrest, supported by cancelled flights in the area. The instability follows the peace deal that ended a two-year civil war in November 2022, which resulted in considerable loss of life.
Recent statements from General Tsadkan Gebretensae, a vice president in Tigray’s interim administration, suggest that the situation is perilous. He mentioned that “at any moment, war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out.” Furthermore, the split of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) post-conflict has exacerbated fears of renewed violence, with one faction now collaborating with the Ethiopian government and another opposing it.
The capture of Adigrat by a TPLF-dissident faction, along with additional seizures of offices in Mekelle, accentuates the conflict’s volatility. Getachew Reda, head of the Tigray interim administration, has sought support from the Ethiopian government against dissidents, who have denied any connections to Eritrea. He expressed his concern that “Tigray people may once again become victims of a war they don’t believe in.”
Involvement from external actors, particularly Eritrea, has been suggested as escalating tensions in the region. A potential conflict could undermine the peace process that earned Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed a Nobel Peace Prize and could result in another humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, where aid is already compromised due to various regional conflicts.
The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region remains unstable, with significant fears surrounding the potential for renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The split within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front is contributing to rising tensions, further complicated by external influences. As the situation develops, there is a pressing need for vigilance to prevent a resurgence of violence that could have devastating humanitarian consequences.
Original Source: www.catholicnewsagency.com
