Ethiopia’s Tigray Crisis: Challenges Persist Despite Peace Agreement
The Tigray crisis remains unresolved even after a peace agreement was signed in November 2022. Internal divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a devastated economy, high unemployment, and limited humanitarian aid continue to plague the region. The Pretoria agreement’s incomplete implementation poses risks for stability and security, emphasizing the importance of international intervention.
Ethiopia witnessed a significant shift in leadership over the past two decades. From 1991 to 2018, it was governed by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, which consisted of various ethnic political parties, with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) holding considerable power. However, the Prosperity Party’s ascent to power in 2018 diminished the TPLF’s influence significantly.
On November 4, 2020, the Ethiopian government initiated military action against Tigray, citing a response to political aggression from the TPLF. This action ignited a brutal war lasting two years, inflicting extensive casualties and destruction. According to Olusegun Obasanjo, the lead mediator from the African Union, approximately 600,000 civilians perished, marking the conflict as one of the century’s most devastating.
The war concluded with a peace agreement signed on November 2, 2022, between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF. However, post-war Tigray continues to face severe political and humanitarian challenges. Researcher Assefa Leake Gebru describes the dire situation, marked by lack of essential resources and an economy in ruins, with limited humanitarian aid available.
The TPLF is currently experiencing internal strife, with factions competing for leadership. Tensions are particularly evident between Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda, the interim administration leader. Calls for new regional leadership from military leaders have further exacerbated the political divide and weakened the interim administration that was created under the Pretoria agreement.
Humanitarian issues persist, as the Tigray region suffers from a staggering youth unemployment rate of 81%, economic collapse, and ongoing social distress. The situation resembles a community grappling with the aftermath of significant trauma, characterized by scarcity and insecurity.
The Pretoria agreement aimed to foster peace, cease hostilities, and reestablish governmental authority in Tigray. While certain progress has been made, including the formation of an interim government and the resumption of limited basic services, many challenges remain. Armed forces from Eritrea and Amhara continue to pose security threats, and the disarmament of TPLF fighters is incomplete, jeopardizing the region’s stability.
Failure to fully implement the Pretoria agreement could lead to a deepening humanitarian crisis, worsen governance issues within the TPLF, and jeopardize civilian safety. The fragile political landscape breeds potential for renewed conflict, particularly between the rival factions, which could be exploited by foreign entities like Eritrea, potentially reigniting hostilities akin to the past conflicts between the two nations.
A proactive response from the African Union and the international community is crucial to avert further deterioration in Tigray and help stabilize the region.
Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis continues to affect millions, despite the historic peace agreement. The political fragmentation within the TPLF, ongoing humanitarian crises, and inadequate governance underscore the precariousness of the interim administration. With security threats looming and the potential for renewed conflict, active engagement from international bodies, particularly the African Union, is essential to promote stability and prevent further chaos in Tigray.
Original Source: www.inkl.com
