Growing Instability in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region: Potential Conflict Looms
Recent reports indicate that Ethiopia’s Tigray region is facing heightened instability with potential conflict looming between Ethiopia and Eritrea. A source noted a lack of confirmation from church leaders on the situation, while general fear mounts due to the division within the TPLF and its implications. The tension continues to threaten humanitarian efforts and regional stability.
Ethiopia’s Tigray region is currently experiencing increasing instability, with reports suggesting a potential war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. As of March 15, a source relayed to ACI Africa that church leaders had not confirmed this instability, although domestic flights have been reported canceled. The ongoing tension appears linked to the aftermath of the civil war that resulted in the 2022 peace deal, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
General Tsadkan Gebretensae, an interim Tigray administration vice president, stated in a March 13 interview that war could erupt at any moment between the two nations. This revival of fears of conflict stems from the division within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which managed Tigray post-conflict yet now splits into factions with varying loyalties.
Previously, Eritrea’s military had supported Ethiopia’s federal forces against TPLF during the civil war, complicating relations. The November 2022 peace agreement has since widened the divide between Ethiopia and Eritrea, both of which have yet to reconcile their differences amidst renewed political unrest, highlighted by the TPLF faction’s recent territorial captures.
On March 11, a splinter TPLF group captured Adigrat, alleging betrayal by Tigray’s leadership while accusations of collusion with Eritrea have surfaced. This situation is exacerbated by ongoing humanitarian crises in the wider Horn of Africa region, where aid initiatives are increasingly challenged by internal conflicts.
The head of Tigray’s interim administration, Getachew Reda, has publicly asked for aid from the Ethiopian government to challenge the dissidents, who deny any ties to Eritrea. He remarked on the detrimental effects of potential conflict, particularly on the Tigray people, further emphasizing the external influences at play in this turbulent environment.
Reports indicate that renewed conflict in Tigray could endanger the progress made under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration, which earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. The impending crisis could severely impact millions affected by other regional conflicts, according to sources, including the potential for aid disruption in already strained areas like Sudan and Somalia.
In summary, the situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is precarious, with the possibility of renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea on the horizon. The internal division within the TPLF, external pressures, and historical tensions contribute significantly to this instability, raising concerns about humanitarian repercussions. Continuous monitoring of the developments in this region is essential, considering the implications not only for Ethiopia but also for the broader Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.catholicnewsagency.com
