Ethiopia’s Tigray region faces instability, with rising tensions linked to a split in the TPLF. Recent territorial gains by dissidents raise fears of renewed violence amidst historical tensions with Eritrea. The situation threatens previous peace efforts and could worsen humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa.
The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region remains highly unstable, with reports indicating flight cancellations due to rising tensions. The fears of renewed violence stem from a split within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the governing party in Tigray, which previously clashed violently with the Ethiopian federal army. During the two-year conflict, Eritrean forces intervened on behalf of Ethiopia’s federal government against TPLF forces.
According to Reuters, the peace agreement established in November 2022 created divisions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as Eritrea was not included in the negotiations. The emergence of factions within the TPLF has heightened fears of conflict, as one faction administers Tigray with the approval of the Ethiopian federal government, while the other opposes them. A recent report noted that the TPLF dissident faction captured Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest town, accusing the TPLF leadership of betraying Tigrayan interests.
Furthermore, the dissident faction gained control over strategic locations, including crucial offices and a radio station in Mekelle, the regional capital. Getachew Reda, head of Tigray’s interim administration, has sought support from the Ethiopian government against the dissidents, claiming they have denied any links to Eritrea. He expressed concern that Tigray’s people may again become casualties of a war they do not wish to fight.
Mr. Getachew described existing tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, citing suspicions of foreign intervention contributing to the chaos in Tigray. Reuters warned that renewed conflict would jeopardize the peace progress championed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. Moreover, a resurgence of violence would precipitate yet another humanitarian crisis, further exacerbating the struggles faced by millions in conflict-affected regions, including Sudan and Somalia.
The current instability in Tigray results from internal political schisms within the TPLF, exacerbated by historical tensions with Eritrea. The capture of key towns and the plea for federal support by Tigray leadership underscore the fragility of the peace achieved in 2022. Heightened fears of renewed conflict pose significant risks to regional stability and humanitarian efforts, echoing the broader impacts of unrest in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
