Heightened Fears of Renewed Conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region
Fears of renewed conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray are intensifying due to infighting among factions and tensions with Eritrea. Calls for urgent dialogue have emerged amid instability and power challenges following a devastating war. Historical rivalries and ongoing clashes contribute to the precarious situation, necessitating immediate attention to prevent violence.
Recent infighting among rival factions in Tigray, Ethiopia, has raised serious concerns regarding the potential resurgence of conflict, particularly between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The regional administrator has reached out to the federal government for assistance as his authority is being challenged, and international embassies have urged for immediate dialogue to ease rising tensions. The region has already endured a catastrophic war from 2020 to 2022 that resulted in an estimated 600,000 fatalities.
The tensions are exacerbated by a weakening peace established post-war in November 2022, with ongoing disputes between factions intensifying, signaling instability. Tigray’s veteran politician, Getachew Reda, has become embroiled in power struggles against Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Recently, forces loyal to Gebremichael captured Adigrat, heightening fears among locals of a return to violent conflict.
Getachew Reda has responded to these challenges by suspending three generals of the Tigray Defence Forces, accusing his rivals of aiming to dominate Tigray. Experts suggest that Eritrea may seek to exploit Tigray’s instability, indicating that volatile conditions have brought the countries closer to conflict. Geopolitical dynamics, nationality dissatisfaction with the peace agreement, and regional ambitions are compounding these tensions.
Historically, relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have oscillated dramatically since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, with a war from 1998 to 2000 resulting in countless casualties. Following a peace agreement in 2018, the relations improved, but the end of the Tigray war has seen a resurgence of hostilities, with claims of military aggression adding to the tensions.
In light of these developments, various Western embassies have emphasized the necessity of avoiding renewed violence and urged all parties to uphold the 2022 agreement. France has advised its citizens in Tigray to prepare for emergencies due to the ongoing clashes, while Ethiopia’s federal government has yet to publicly address the situation.
Concerns are mounting regarding a potential resurgence of conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, driven by infighting among local factions and strained relations with Eritrea. The historic backdrop of conflict and recent power struggles signal instability. International calls for dialogue underscore the urgency of de-escalation to safeguard against the horrors of renewed war. The future of the region hinges on the commitment to peace and stability amid escalating tensions, and the global community’s role remains crucial in this effort.
Original Source: www.france24.com