The conflict in Tigray persists despite the signing of the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022, with the region facing a humanitarian crisis characterized by severe shortages and political instability. Internal divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front complicate governance, while armed groups continue to threaten security. Urgent international intervention is required to prevent further chaos and address ongoing challenges.
Ethiopia’s recent conflict, while officially concluded, has left the Tigray region grappling with a persistent humanitarian crisis. The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front was in power for over two decades, but after the rise of the Prosperity Party in 2018, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front lost its dominant political role. This culminated in a federal military offensive against Tigray in November 2020, leading to immense destruction and loss of life, with estimates suggesting approximately 600,000 civilian casualties, marking it as one of the 21st century’s most devastating conflicts.
A peace agreement, known as the Pretoria Agreement, was signed on November 2, 2022, between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. However, the aftermath remains fraught with challenges. Tigray continues to face acute shortages of basic necessities such as food, water, and medical supplies, compounded by a crippled economy and minimal humanitarian assistance. Assefa Leake Gebru, an expert in post-war Tigray, describes the dire conditions in the region, likening it to a grocery store utterly depleted of stock.
Political instability exacerbates the situation, as divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front have emerged, particularly between the factions led by former president Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda, the interim administration head. In January 2025, military leaders supported the Debretsion faction’s calls for new leadership, sparking claims of a soft coup from the interim administration and resulting in public protests advocating for a separation between military and political spheres. This internal strife has significantly weakened the interim administration’s legitimacy.
Despite some positive developments stemming from the Pretoria Agreement, such as the establishment of an interim government and the resumption of some services, substantial challenges persist. Armed groups, including Eritrean soldiers and Amhara militias, continue to occupy parts of Tigray, posing security threats and complicating the disarmament of Tigray fighters. The execution of the Pretoria Agreement remains incomplete, risking further instability and undermining peace efforts.
The failure to fully implement the agreement may exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, with an estimated one million displaced individuals facing severe food insecurity and many schools still closed. The internal divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front hinder effective governance, while the weakened interim government struggles to ensure civilian safety, a key aspect of the agreement. Moreover, rising tensions between the rival factions could potentially be exploited by Eritrean forces, rekindling hostilities reminiscent of previous conflicts and engendering further chaos in the region.
The continuing instability in Tigray necessitates urgent intervention from the African Union and the international community to mitigate the risk of escalating violence and humanitarian deterioration, ensuring that the region does not descend into further turmoil.
In summary, although the war in Ethiopia has officially ended, the Tigray region remains mired in a severe humanitarian crisis and political instability. The Pretoria Agreement aimed to restore order and promote peace but has faced significant implementation challenges. Internal divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and ongoing security threats exacerbate the situation, highlighting the urgent need for intervention by the African Union and the international community to prevent further conflict.
Original Source: www.inkl.com
