Urgent Appeal for Federal Intervention in Tigray Amid Rising Tensions

Ethiopia’s Tigray regional government has requested federal intervention following the takeover of Adigrat and Adi-Gudem by a faction of the TPLF, raising fears of renewed civil conflict. Since the end of the TPLF’s two-year war with federal forces, internal divisions have surfaced, complicating the political landscape. Key leaders are calling for international monitoring to address the worsening situation.

The Tigray regional government of Ethiopia has urgently called upon the federal government to assist following the seizure of two significant towns by a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This recent development has resulted in injuries among civilians and has intensified concerns regarding the potential resurgence of civil conflict in the region.

On Tuesday, the TPLF faction captured Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest town, and replaced the interim government’s administrator with a new appointee. Additionally, the following night, they secured control over Adi-Gudem, a locale adjacent to the regional capital, Mekele, where several injuries were reported during clashes over a government building.

The TPLF previously engaged in a devastating two-year conflict against federal forces, culminating in a peace agreement in November 2022 and establishing a TPLF-led interim administration. This conflict, which commenced in late 2020, is estimated to have resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and extensive displacement, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.

Since the cessation of hostilities, the TPLF has fractured, particularly following the expulsion of interim government leader Getachew Reda from the party by TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael in October. In response, Reda has temporarily sidelined military commanders whom he suspects of supporting Gebremichael’s faction.

The Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau warned of an imminent crisis in a formal statement, reflecting the precarious situation within the region. Reda has characterized the TPLF’s recent maneuvers as a “potential coup attempt” and urged international stakeholders, particularly those involved in the Pretoria Peace Agreement, to monitor the situation vigilantly.

Conversely, TPLF deputy chairman Amanuel Assefa contended that the ongoing crises are unrelated to the Pretoria agreement, attributing them primarily to law enforcement issues. He asserted that the TPLF and the Tigray forces are the legitimate custodians of the agreement and see no justification for actions that breach it.

The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is rapidly deteriorating, with rising tensions following the TPLF faction’s takeover of key towns. The interim government seeks federal support to prevent further conflict, while differing interpretations of the ongoing crises highlight the complexity of the regional power dynamics. The urgent appeal for intervention underscores the potential for a renewed crisis, which may have dire implications for the area’s peace and stability.

Original Source: apnews.com