Tigray Conflict Resurfaces: Power Struggles and Regional Tensions in Ethiopia

The Tigray region of Ethiopia is escalating into potential conflict after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) seized control of Adigrat and the airport in Mekele, challenging the interim administration. Leadership divisions within TPLF and external influences from Eritrea and Egypt complicate the situation, prompting calls for federal intervention and international assistance to avoid further violence. The ongoing power struggle threatens to destabilize the region significantly.

Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray is on the brink of renewed conflict, nearly two and a half years after the Pretoria agreements concluded a violent civil war. On Wednesday, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which governed Ethiopia until 2018 but has recently fractionalized, seized control of Adigrat, the region’s second-largest city, ousting the interim administration appointed by the federal authority. TPLF leadership announced the appointment of Radae Gebreezgiabiher as the new local mayor, condemning the prior administration as disloyal to Tigray and aligned with the Addis Ababa regime.

Following the Adigrat takeover, TPLF forces captured Mekele’s airport, signaling intentions for further power shifts throughout Tigray. This resurgence in violence follows a significant leadership rift within the TPLF, exacerbated by the removal of four senior military commanders deemed unfavorable to the stability of the region. The factional divide sees a more radical group under Debretsion Gebremichael gaining influence, following a shift in party leadership and sentiment.

In light of these developments, Tigray’s president, Getachew Reda, has sought federal intervention, claiming that the actions of the TPLF faction threaten both public order and governance. He highlighted concerns related to military overreach and called for diplomatic discussions with Western ambassadors aimed at preventing another civil war. Reda’s appeals emphasized the need for unity among stakeholders to sustain the fragile peace established by the Pretoria accords.

The TPLF faction, now positioned against Reda, has dismissed accusations of seeking foreign intervention, asserting their legitimacy in protecting Tigray’s interests. Tensions escalated after the dismissal of military leaders, with leaders of this faction accusing the interim administration of being manipulated by external forces, warning of instability.

Regional parties opposing Reda have allied with the interim administration, accusing the TPLF-led faction of attempting a coup with Eritrea purportedly instigating conflict. They called for international support to counteract what they perceive as aggressive foreign involvement, particularly pointing fingers at Egypt and Eritrea, amid speculation regarding clandestine military support for the TPLF faction.

Amidst deteriorating relations with Eritrea, accusations of collusion in disrupting Ethiopian governance are surfacing, suggesting deeper geopolitical complexities. Reports indicate clandestine arms support during prior conflicts, raising alarms about Egypt’s altercations with Ethiopia. Any escalation could implicate wider regional actors and warrant a severe realignment between nations in the Horn of Africa.

The situation in Tigray is precarious as tensions heighten within the political landscape, threatening a return to civil war. The TPLF’s recent activities signal a stark shift in regional control, exacerbated by leadership divisions and external influences. Regional powers such as Eritrea and Egypt are increasingly viewed as complicating factors, prompting calls for international mediation to preserve the fragile status quo established post-conflict. Immediate diplomatic engagements and solidarity among Tigray’s factions are crucial to avert further destabilization.

Original Source: www.agenzianova.com