France’s Foreign Ministry has cautioned its citizens against traveling to Tigray, Ethiopia, amid ongoing clashes between TPLF factions in Mekele and Adigrat. The region has been a conflict zone, with significant casualties. Internal divisions within the TPLF persist, raising fears of potential conflict escalation involving Eritrea. Experts express concern over the fragile geopolitical relations and the risk of renewed war.
France’s Foreign Ministry recently issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid Tigray, located in northern Ethiopia, due to ongoing internal conflicts. The ministry specifically mentioned clashes in the regional capital, Mekele, and the city of Adigrat, stating, “In view of the ongoing internal clashes in Tigray, particularly in Adigrat and Mekele, travel throughout the Tigray region is now formally inadvisable.” Furthermore, it advised French nationals currently in the region to exit Tigray as swiftly as possible.
Historically, the Tigray region has been plagued by conflict, particularly between federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a situation that persisted from November 2020 to November 2022. This conflict resulted in the tragic loss of over 600,000 lives, as reported by the African Union, before a peace agreement was made in Pretoria, South Africa. This pact intended to establish an interim governance structure until elections could take place; however, its implementation has faced significant delays.
Within the TPLF, tensions are rising, with Getachew Reda, appointed to manage the interim administration by Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy, contesting with Debretsion Gebremichael for leadership. Recently, Getachew suspended three military generals from the Tigray Defence Forces amid accusations that the opposing faction sought control over Tigray.
Concerns are also mounting regarding potential regional instability. Experts warn that Eritrea, Ethiopia’s historical rival, may exploit the internal strife to escalate aggression. Kjetil Tronvoll, a professor at Oslo University, indicated that, “We have been close to a new conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia for the past two years. We just do not know what will be the triggering factor.” Geopolitical interests and dissatisfaction with the 2022 peace agreement are contributing to this precarious situation.
The peace agreement, which garnered significant acclaim, including a Nobel Peace Prize for Abiy, momentarily reopened borders with Eritrea. However, relations have since deteriorated significantly. General Tsadkan Gebretensae of the Tigray forces noted recently, “A war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out at any moment,” indicating the volatility surrounding the current dynamics in the region.
In summary, France’s Foreign Ministry has issued a warning for its citizens to avoid Tigray due to escalating internal conflicts. The ongoing divisions within the TPLF and the risk of regional instability, particularly concerning Eritrea, underscore the gravitas of the situation. The historical context of past conflicts and the precarious balance of power reflect the urgent need for caution and the potential for renewed violence in this area of Ethiopia.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
