Tigray Government Seeks Federal Assistance Amid Escalating Unrest

The interim government of Tigray has called for federal intervention after a TPLF faction seized key towns, raising fears of renewed civil war. The TPLF’s internal divisions are evident, with a potential coup attempt under discussion amid escalating tensions. The international community’s involvement is emphasized as critical to maintaining peace.

The interim government of Ethiopia’s Tigray region has requested assistance from the federal government following the seizure of key towns by a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This unrest has resulted in injuries among residents and heightened fears of a resurgence of civil conflict. In recent developments, the TPLF faction overtook Adigrat, the region’s second-largest town, and subsequently captured Adi-Gudem, a town near the regional capital, Mekele.

Previously, the TPLF engaged in a devastating two-year war against federal forces, culminating in a peace agreement in November 2022 that led to the creation of a TPLF-led interim government. The conflict, which erupted in November 2020, has resulted in extensive casualties, displacing millions and placing numerous citizens at risk of famine. However, the faction has experienced internal divisions since the war’s conclusion, with October’s expulsion of interim government head Getachew Reda by TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael.

In response to these developments, Reda suspended four senior military commanders he believes to be aligned with Gebremichael. The Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau warned that the region may face a new crisis, emphasizing the volatile situation that threatens the fragile peace. Reda has characterized the TPLF’s recent conduct as a potential coup attempt, underscoring the critical role of the international community in monitoring the escalating tensions.

TPLF deputy chairman Amanuel Assefa contended that the current conflicts have no relation to the Pretoria Peace Agreement and assert that the TPLF and Tigray forces are its rightful stewards. He expressed confidence that their involvement would not breach the agreement, suggesting a legal rather than political dispute underlies the turmoil.

In summary, the Tigray region is experiencing significant unrest following the TPLF’s factional seizure of key towns, which has prompted the interim government to seek federal intervention. The internal fractures within the TPLF highlight the fragility of peace since the previous conflict. The international community’s vigilance is deemed essential to circumvent further deterioration and maintain order in the region, while conflicting narratives over the Pretoria Agreement complicate the situation further.

Original Source: apnews.com