Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Warns of Imminent Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict and Urges Peace Efforts

Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae warns that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea appears imminent, with preparations in their final stages. He highlights the potential for significant regional consequences and urges immediate peace efforts before confrontation occurs. Both Eritrea and Tigray face internal and external pressures that could influence the outcome, underscoring the need for effective diplomacy and adherence to peace agreements.

Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae, the Vice President and Democratization Cabinet Secretariat of the Tigray Interim Administration, has expressed grave concerns regarding the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, noting that the prospect of war appears “inevitable.” He highlighted preparations for conflict nearing completion, with Tigray at risk of becoming the primary battleground.

In a commentary for The Africa Report, General Tsadkan articulated the urgency of the situation, stating that a war could erupt at any moment, potentially affecting neighboring regions such as Sudan. While he expressed a desire for Tigray to maintain peace, he lamented that the opportunity for peaceful resolution may be dwindling, thus leaving war as a likely outcome.

He suggested that the relationship between Addis Ababa and Asmara has worsened since the Pretoria peace agreement, making armed conflict more plausible. Tsadkan underscored that the final stages of military preparations would render containment increasingly difficult. Additionally, he accused Eritrea of engaging in “predatory state behavior” and trying to exploit Ethiopia’s vulnerabilities, emphasizing that Tigray is perceived by Eritrea as a hindrance to its objectives.

Furthermore, General Tsadkan highlighted internal divisions within Tigray which may exacerbate tensions. He noted that factions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) might align with Eritrea in efforts to undermine the Ethiopian government while simultaneously threatening Tigray’s welfare.

Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome echoed similar concerns about Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, indicating that Isaias aims to deepen TPLF divisions, potentially destabilizing the Pretoria Peace Agreement. In a recent opinion piece, Mulatu warned of the risk of rekindling conflict in northern Ethiopia and dismantling the peace accord.

Eritrea’s government has refuted these accusations, with Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel deeming them “audacious claims” intended to further a war agenda. Eritrea maintains that Ethiopia’s internal issues should not be externalized, insisting that regional instability stems from Ethiopia’s own crises.

General Tsadkan cautioned that a war would yield catastrophic consequences, altering the geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa and Red Sea area significantly. He posited that ongoing global conflicts might divert critical attention away from this looming crisis, further complicating resolution efforts.

In closing, Tsadkan recommended that Tigray seek to avert conflict through the full implementation of the Pretoria agreement, urging prompt action from the Ethiopian government and international actors. He warned that should peace efforts fail, an expeditious conclusion to war, either militarily or diplomatically, would be paramount for both Tigray and the surrounding region.

In summary, Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae has issued a stern warning regarding the imminent threat of war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, emphasizing the urgent need for peace efforts. He indicated that military preparations are nearing completion and internal divisions within Tigray could further exacerbate the situation. Both sides face significant consequences in the event of renewed conflict, necessitating immediate international intervention to avoid catastrophe. Effective adherence to the Pretoria agreement is deemed essential to stabilize the region.

Original Source: addisstandard.com