Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae warns that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea seems inevitable with military preparations in their final stages. He highlights the risk of Tigray becoming a battleground and urges for urgent peace efforts and the implementation of the Pretoria agreement to avert conflict. The article also reflects on internal divisions within Tigray and concerns raised by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome regarding Eritrea’s intentions.
Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae, Vice President and member of the Democratization Cabinet Secretariat of the Tigray Interim Administration, has cautioned that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea appears increasingly unavoidable. With military preparations nearing completion, he articulated concerns that Tigray could become the focal point of this potential conflict. Tsadkan emphasized that any imminent war could extend beyond Ethiopia and Eritrea, affecting Sudan and the broader Red Sea region.
In his commentary for The Africa Report, Tsadkan noted the deteriorating ties between Addis Ababa and Asmara since the Pretoria peace agreement. He raised alarms that as war preparations continue, it becomes increasingly difficult to prevent escalation. The general accused Eritrea of engaging in “predatory state behavior,” motivated to exploit neighboring countries, specifically regarding its ambitions toward Ethiopia and Sudan.
He characterized Tigray as the primary obstacle to Eritrea’s regional aspirations and highlighted that Asmara seems poised to initiate conflict to achieve its strategic objectives. Additionally, Tsadkan warned of internal divisions within Tigray that could exacerbate tensions. He suggested that factions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) might prefer alignment with Eritrean interests to protect their power and past actions.
Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome echoed Tsadkan’s concerns, asserting that President Isaias Afwerki is seeking to exploit TPLF divisions to destabilize the peace agreement. In an opinion piece, Mulatu cautioned that these manipulations could potentially reignite conflicts in northern Ethiopia. He claimed that Eritrean actions may seek to undermine stability by supporting militia activity within the Amhara region.
Eritrea has dismissed these allegations, with Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel labeling them as unfounded and an attempt to promote a war-oriented agenda. Eritrea maintained that Ethiopia’s internal issues should not be externalized to neighboring countries and reaffirmed that the Pretoria Agreement is solely a matter for Ethiopia.
Tsadkan forewarned that renewed hostilities could yield devastating effects, predicting significant geopolitical shifts in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. He advocated for a commitment to peace through the full implementation of the Pretoria agreement, urging both the Ethiopian authorities and international stakeholders to intervene promptly to prevent conflict. However, he concluded that failing to avert war may necessitate ending the conflict swiftly, either through military or diplomatic channels, to serve the interests of Tigray and the wider region.
In conclusion, Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae’s stark warnings reflect the growing tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, highlighting the complexities and potential ramifications of a renewed conflict. Urging both national leadership and global figures to prioritize peace, he underscores the critical need for the implementation of the Pretoria agreement. The situation remains fragile, necessitating immediate action to avert a potentially catastrophic war that could reshape the entire Horn of Africa region.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
