Renewed Fears of Conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Prompt Calls for Dialogue

Infighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray has sparked fears of renewed conflict, primarily with Eritrea. Despite a peace agreement in 2022, regional instability remains as rival factions clash. Getachew Reda’s leadership faces challenges from Debretsion Gebremichael, raising concerns among residents. International calls for dialogue hint at the precarious situation, stressing the potential for war.

Recent infighting among rival factions in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has heightened fears of renewed conflict, with residents and analysts expressing concerns regarding a possible resurgence of war with neighboring Eritrea. The embattled administrator of Tigray has formally requested assistance from the federal government as he faces a challenge to his authority, while international embassies advocate for “urgent dialogue” to mitigate ongoing tensions.

Tigray previously endured one of the century’s most devastating wars between 2020 and 2022, resulting in an estimated 600,000 fatalities, where local forces opposed the federal government, allied militias, and Eritrean troops. Despite a peace agreement reached in November 2022, the region continues to experience instability, with escalating disputes among factions and deteriorating relations with Eritrea.

Veteran Tigray politician Getachew Reda was appointed to lead an interim regional administration, but his leadership has been contested by Debretsion Gebremichael of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Recently, Debretsion’s forces took control of Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest city, prompting fears among residents of a return to the violent past.

Getachew has responded to this unrest by suspending three generals from the Tigray Defence Forces, accusing the rival faction of an aggressive takeover. Kjetil Tronvoll, a professor at Oslo University, noted the precarious situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, suggesting that a new conflict could emerge triggered by varying geopolitical interests and dissatisfaction with the 2022 peace agreement.

Since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, relations with Ethiopia have fluctuated dramatically, marked by a brutal war over territorial disputes from 1998 to 2000. While Abiy Ahmed’s government initially restored peace and received a Nobel Prize for these efforts, tensions have resurfaced following the conclusion of the Tigray conflict. Reports of Ethiopia intensifying its campaign against Eritrea have surfaced, raising alarm regarding the potential for renewed hostilities.

Western embassies, including those from the United States and the European Union, have issued statements urging the avoidance of violence and encouraging all parties to adhere to the 2022 peace agreement. France has advised its nationals in the region to prepare for emergencies and exercise caution, highlighting the seriousness of ongoing internal clashes in Tigray, particularly in Adigrat and Mekele. The Ethiopian government has yet to respond to these requests for assistance apart from the regional calls for non-military support.

The current tensions in Ethiopia’s Tigray region pose a significant risk of renewed conflict, especially concerning relations with Eritrea. Despite the peace agreement established in 2022, internal rivalries and deteriorating inter-state relations threaten to undermine stability. Calls for urgent dialogue from international embassies underscore the need for resolution, emphasizing that without proactive measures, the region could descend back into turmoil.

Original Source: www.france24.com