Urgent Warning from Lt. Gen. Tsadkan on Imminent Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict

Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae warns that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea seems unavoidable, with Tigray at high risk of becoming the main battleground. He cites deteriorating relations after the Pretoria peace agreement and criticizes Eritrea’s predatory actions. Tsadkan emphasizes the need for urgent interventions to maintain peace and avert conflict while cautioning about the serious consequences of renewed hostilities.

Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae, Vice President of the Democratization Cabinet Secretariat for the Tigray Interim Administration, has expressed grave concerns regarding the rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, asserting that war “seems inevitable”. As preparations reportedly reach their “final stages,” Tsadkan warns that Tigray could become the focal point of conflict, with potential repercussions extending to Sudan and the Red Sea region.

In his commentary for The Africa Report, Tsadkan emphasized the precarious nature of peace in Tigray, noting that the region wishes to remain neutral while advocating for peaceful resolutions. However, he contended that opportunities for peace are diminishing, thereby making war a seemingly unavoidable outcome. He indicated that the alliance between Ethiopia and Eritrea has deteriorated since the signing of the Pretoria peace agreement, which increases the likelihood of hostilities as military preparations become more defined.

Additionally, Tsadkan criticized Eritrea for what he termed “predatory state behavior,” suggesting that it seeks to exploit its neighboring countries, particularly Ethiopia and Sudan. He argues Eritrea perceives Tigray as a significant obstacle to its objectives and has been proactively preparing for conflict.

Of particular concern to Tsadkan is the existing fragmentation within Tigray, which he believes could complicate any potential resolution. He indicated that factions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) may opt to align with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to safeguard their interests. This internal discord poses a risk as certain leaders could leverage Eritrea’s support against the Ethiopian government for their own gain.

Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome has echoed Tsadkan’s concerns, accusing President Afwerki of exploiting TPLF divisions to undermine the Pretoria Peace Agreement, potentially reigniting conflict in northern Ethiopia. Afwerki’s alleged support of discord within the TPLF and the creation of militias in Ethiopia’s Amhara state was similarly condemned.

Eritrea has vehemently denied these allegations, with Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel describing them as baseless claims crafted to justify aggressive intentions. Eritrean officials assert that Ethiopia’s internal issues should not be misattributed to outside influences and regard the Pretoria Agreement as solely an Ethiopian concern.

Tsadkan further warned of the catastrophic ramifications that a renewed war would produce, predicting significant geopolitical shifts in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region. He urged the Ethiopian government and international stakeholders to take decisive action to prevent a conflict that could alter the region’s landscape significantly.

To conclude, Tsadkan advocates for the immediate pursuit of peace through the full implementation of the Pretoria agreement, emphasizing that urgent intervention is needed to avert another devastating war. Should efforts to prevent conflict prove unsuccessful, he insists that expeditious resolution—either through military or diplomatic means—would serve the best interests of both Tigray and the broader region.

In summary, Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae has raised alarming warnings about the impending conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. His assertions indicate a precarious situation that threatens regional stability, with diminishing prospects for peace. The international community and Ethiopian leaders are urged to take significant action to prevent war, with the implementation of the Pretoria agreement as a crucial step towards averting disaster.

Original Source: addisstandard.com