Ethiopia’s Tigray Region is facing an unstable situation marked by cancelled flights and fears of renewed violence due to a split in the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The conflict, involving Eritrean forces, complicates peace efforts following a 2022 agreement. Tensions within TPLF, accusations of foreign influence, and humanitarian concerns dominate current developments, with potential implications for millions affected in the Horn of Africa.
The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region has been described as “unstable,” with reports of cancelled flights amid fears of renewed violence. These concerns stem from a split within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party of Tigray, which previously engaged in a violent conflict against Ethiopia’s federal army that lasted two years.
During this conflict, Eritrean forces supported the Ethiopian federal army by intervening in the Tigray region. The peace agreement signed in November 2022 has since created tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as Reuters states that Eritrea was not part of the negotiations. Analysts suggest that the worries regarding renewed conflict are linked to the TPLF’s division into factions—one that collaborates with Ethiopia’s federal government and another that opposes it.
On March 11, a faction of the TPLF captured Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest town, amid accusations against the Tigray leadership for betraying the interests of their people. Concurrently, the interim administration claimed that these dissidents were collaborating with Eritrea. Furthermore, Tigray’s interim head, Getachew Reda, has sought Ethiopian governmental support against these dissidents, who deny any links to Eritrea.
Getachew expressed concerns regarding the escalating tensions, stating, “What concerns me is that the Tigray people may once again become victims of a war they do not believe in.” He pointed towards external actors, specifically Eritrea, as possible influencers seeking to incite disorder for their own benefit. Recent reports indicate that a new conflict could undermine the historical reconciliation efforts between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which earned Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.
A resurgence of violence may further complicate the humanitarian crisis in the already distressed Horn of Africa region, where aid efforts are hampered by ongoing conflicts in neighboring Sudan and Somalia. The precarious conditions facing millions could deteriorate significantly if hostilities re-emerge in Tigray, exacerbating the complexities of providing essential assistance.
The unfolding situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region highlights the fragility of peace following the previous conflicts. The internal divisions within the TPLF pose significant threats of renewed violence, while tensions with Eritrea further complicate the dynamics. The calls for support against dissidents and external influences underscore the urgent need for a stable resolution to avert a larger humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
