Renewed Tensions in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Amidst Internal Divisions and Regional Interference
The Tigray region in Ethiopia faces renewed conflict following the resurgence of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which has ousted federal control in Adigrat. Internal divisions within the TPLF and accusations against Eritrea and Egypt of interference are contributing to a dangerous escalation that risks collapsing the peace established by the Pretoria agreements.
Ethiopia’s Tigray region faces renewed conflict nearly two and a half years after the Pretoria agreements officially ended hostilities. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has regained control of Adigrat, the region’s second-largest city, displacing a federal administration. Following this, TPLF forces asserted their intention to establish power across other areas in Tigray, raising tensions amidst accusations against the previous ruling officials of loyalty to Addis Ababa rather than the Tigray populace.
The conflict intensified following the dismissal of four senior military commanders by Getachew Reda, amid rising dissatisfaction within the TPLF, which has divided into two factions. The faction led by Reda was deemed too conciliatory toward the Ethiopian federal government, prompting the rise of a radical faction under Debretsion Gebremichael. This internal split is reshaping the political landscape of Tigray and Ethiopia as a whole, leading to increased hostilities.
As instability grows, Reda has called upon the federal government for assistance, denouncing the military actions as unauthorized. He expressed concerns regarding the legitimacy of the military’s maneuvers and warned ambassadors from major Western nations about the pressing situation, aiming to garner support to prevent further conflict. He referred to the military’s actions as damaging to the newly established Interim Administration and indicated that diplomacy was crucial to mitigate the deepening crises.
In turn, the breakaway faction of the TPLF has dismissed calls for foreign intervention, arguing that these would threaten the Pretoria Agreement. They contend that external forces are trying to undermine the Tigrayan military and called attention to the growing crisis stemming from accusations of betrayal among local officials. Tensions have risen as opposition parties in Tigray stand in solidarity with Reda’s administration, attributing the unrest to interference by Eritrea and possibly Egypt, which have been implicated in destabilizing efforts.
Regional dynamics indicate Egypt and Eritrea may support factions opposing the Interim Administration, complicating the crisis. These countries have been accused of providing military support and resources, perpetuating instability within Tigray. As accusations mount, the diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea are again strained, amidst fears that exploitation by regional powers could unleash a broader conflict in the volatile Horn of Africa region.
In conclusion, the resurgence of conflict in Tigray is mainly driven by a significant internal rift within the TPLF, compounded by regional tensions involving Eritrea and Egypt. The potential for a civil war looms as both factions strive for dominance and external influences threaten to exacerbate the situation, emphasizing the need for urgent international diplomatic intervention to safeguard the Pretoria Agreement and ensure regional stability.
Original Source: www.agenzianova.com