Ethiopia’s Tigray Divisions Intensify Fears of Renewed Conflict
Ethiopia faces renewed conflict fears due to internal TPLF divisions and rising Eritrea tensions, with Tigray residents enduring fuel shortages and food price surges. Clashes in Mekele and political feuds reflect worsening conditions, while experts warn of a possible proxy war involving Eritrea. The need for preventive action against violence is urgent.
Ethiopia’s ongoing internal strife, particularly within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), raises significant concerns regarding the potential for a resurgence of conflict. Despite a peace agreement that concluded the Tigray war over two years ago, enduring divisions within the TPLF and tensions with Eritrea indicate a precarious situation.
Residents of Tigray are grappling with the repercussions of their previous conflict, as evidenced by acute scarcity of resources, long queues for fuel, and surging food prices, which collectively contribute to an atmosphere of anxiety. The scars of the prior war, which cost approximately 600,000 lives, leave many fearing a rebound of hostilities.
The situation escalated on March 11, when clashes erupted in Mekele, following the dismissal of three senior officers from the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF). Subsequently, the TDF regained control of important institutions and swiftly took over Adigrat, appointing a new mayor amid the turmoil.
At the core of the crisis are lingering disputes within the TPLF regarding the delayed implementation of the November 2022 peace accord. A significant number of displaced individuals remain unable to return home, while Eritrean troops continue to operate within Ethiopia, contradicting the peace terms.
“Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, an Oromo, is dragging his feet because he does not want this peace deal,” remarked Gérard Prunier, an expert on Ethiopian affairs. This sentiment reflects the perceived marginalization of Tigrayans from Ethiopian politics over the past decade, exacerbating existing tensions.
Furthermore, the rivalry between interim administrator Getachew Reda and TPLF president Debretsion Gebremichael underscores the intra-party conflicts influencing the broader situation. This contention is occurring as relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea deteriorate.
Recent intelligence reports indicate that Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has engaged with TPLF leaders in Asmara, fostering fears of external intervention in Tigray’s conflict. Prunier suggested that Afwerki’s motivations may be less about political alignment and more about fragmenting Ethiopia for his advantage.
As Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae advised in an editorial, there is an urgent need for preventative measures to avoid Tigray becoming a battlefield in a proxy conflict. His poignant remark, “We have suffered enough,” resonates as the Tigrayan community seeks stability and peace in an increasingly volatile environment.
In summary, Ethiopia’s situation remains precarious as internal divisions within the TPLF and escalating tensions with Eritrea threaten to ignite renewed conflict. The ongoing struggles of Tigray’s residents exacerbate fears of a return to violence, underscored by political disputes and the presence of Eritrean troops. As external actors possibly engage in the conflict, advocates are calling for urgent interventions to secure peace and recovery for the affected communities.
Original Source: international.la-croix.com
