Ethiopia and Eritrea: Warnings of Imminent Conflict Exposed by…

General Tsadkan Gebretensae warns of imminent war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, attributing hostilities to Eritrean actions. Preparations for conflict are reportedly underway in Tigray. Echoes of concern from former Ethiopian leadership align with Tsadkan’s views, while Eritrea denies interference, labeling allegations as unfounded.

The Tigray Interim Administration has issued a warning regarding the potential for renewed conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, indicating that military preparations are nearing completion. General Tsadkan Gebretensae, the Vice President and a senior official within the administration, stressed that the Tigray region may become the focal point of this impending warfare. He described the prospect of conflict as ‘inevitable’ and attributed hostility to the Eritrean government, particularly blaming President Isaias Afwerki’s actions.

In a commentary for The Africa Report, General Tsadkan stated, “At any moment, the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out,” highlighting concerns that the conflict could expand beyond the borders of the two nations, potentially impacting Sudan and the Red Sea. Despite Tigray’s desire for peace, he noted that the diminishing alliance between Ethiopia and Eritrea since the Pretoria agreement suggests that the likelihood of war is increasing, as noted preparations reach a critical juncture.

General Tsadkan accused Eritrea of engaging in predatory behavior by exploiting neighboring countries, particularly targeting Tigray as an obstacle to its ambitions. He implied that some factions within Tigray may see an alliance with Eritrea as a means to undermine Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed while harboring their past grievances. Furthermore, he criticized certain Tigrayan leaders for being more concerned with power than the welfare of the Tigrayan populace, stating that they aspire to total impunity.

Echoing similar sentiments, former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome accused President Isaias Afwerki of attempting to exploit divisions within the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to destabilize the peace agreement achieved through the Pretoria negotiations. He cautioned that such maneuvers could lead to the resurgence of conflict in northern Ethiopia.

Eritrean officials have dismissed these accusations. Yemane G. Meskel, Eritrea’s Information Minister, characterized the claims as unfounded attempts to justify aggressive military postures and emphasized that the challenges within the region are primarily rooted in Ethiopia’s domestic issues. Eritrea firmly rejected the notion of military involvement in Ethiopia, asserting that the Pretoria Agreement is fundamentally an internal matter for Ethiopia.

In conclusion, tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are escalating, with General Tsadkan expressing grave concerns about the precarious situation in Tigray. The potential for renewed hostilities looms large, compounded by allegations of Eritrean interference in Ethiopian internal affairs. The prevailing sentiment underscores the fragility of peace in the region, urging for diplomatic resolutions to avoid further conflict.

Original Source: www.garoweonline.com