Ethiopia and Eritrea on Brink of War: Tigray Officials Issue Warnings
Ethiopia and Eritrea face the risk of war, as noted by Tigray officials, threatening a humanitarian disaster. Concerns are rooted in past conflicts and recent factional disputes within Tigray. General Tsadkan Gebretensae warns that a war could erupt at any moment, with both nations mobilizing troops. Former envoys highlight the precarious political situation, stressing the need for diplomatic engagement to avert further conflict.
Ethiopia and Eritrea are seemingly nearing a potential conflict, as warned by officials from the Tigray region of Ethiopia. This risk could lead to a humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa. Analysts suggest that a direct confrontation between these nations would severely undermine the reconciliation efforts instigated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, and may draw in other regional players.
General Tsadkan Gebretensae, Vice President in Tigray’s interim administration, expressed alarm in the Africa Report, stating, “At any moment war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out.” The background of these tensions includes the 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray, which resulted in a significant loss of life. Concerns of renewed conflict are amplified by a recent factional split within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Tensions escalated when a dissident faction seized control of Adigrat. In response, the head of Tigray’s interim administration, Getachew Reda, sought governmental support to confront this faction, which he claims is seeking close ties with Eritrea. He expressed concern for Tigray’s citizens, stating, “What concerns me is that the Tigray people may once again become victims of a war they don’t believe in.”
Despite these warnings, the Ethiopian federal government has refrained from commenting, while Eritrea’s information minister characterized these concerns as “war-mongering psychosis.” However, Eritrea initiated a nationwide military mobilization recently, and reports indicate Ethiopia has positioned troops near the Eritrean border.
Payton Knopf and Alexander Rondos, former U.S. and EU envoys, assert that the risk of war is indeed tangible. They described the political and security conditions in Tigray as a “dry tinder waiting for a match.” The historic relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have been fraught, beginning with Eritrea’s secession in 1993 and culminating in the end of formal hostilities in 2018. Nevertheless, deteriorating diplomatic relations and Eritrea’s perceived military alliances with Egypt and Somalia signal heightened tensions.
In conclusion, escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, particularly emphasized by the situation in Tigray, raise significant concerns about potential conflict and humanitarian crises in the region. Political dynamics and historical grievances underpinning the bilateral relationship complicate the situation further. Continued vigilance and a commitment to dialogue are essential to prevent an outbreak of hostilities that could adversely affect millions in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.thestar.com.my
