Tigray Leader Warns of Renewed Conflict Amid Territorial Seizures in Ethiopia

Tigray leader Getachew Reda cautioned about the risk of renewed civil war in northern Ethiopia after a key town was taken by a faction of the TPLF. He accused local military elements of attempting a coup and requested administrative support from the federal government, denying the need for military intervention. In response, 25 foreign missions supported the cessation of hostilities and urged de-escalation, emphasizing compliance with the Pretoria Agreement.

Getachew Reda, the President of the Tigray Regional Interim Administration, has issued a grave warning regarding the potential for renewed civil conflict in northern Ethiopia. This warning follows the seizure of the key town of Adigrat by a breakaway faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has recently fractured into two rival groups. Reda has accused this faction of forming alliances with external entities, including Eritrea, thereby escalating tensions potentially leading to renewed hostilities.

In his televised statement, Reda has called upon the federal government to provide necessary administrative support amidst these growing tensions. He further accused local military factions of an attempted coup aimed at undermining the ongoing Pretoria Peace Agreement, urging both the federal authorities and the international community to intervene strategically to avert destabilization in the region. Importantly, he clarified that he is not seeking military intervention, only administrative assistance.

In response to these developments, a coalition of 25 foreign missions—including those of the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union—issued a unified statement advocating for the cessation of hostilities. They reiterated their support for the terms of the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement, emphasizing its role in ending gunfire in the region and calling for de-escalation of tensions among the involved parties.

Since the signing of the Pretoria Agreement, the TPLF’s division in August has provoked a significant shift in the political landscape, resulting in the rejection of interim governance and the appropriation of key administrative and media assets in Tigray. Reda accused rival leader Debretsion Gebremichael of forcefully seizing control of Adigrat, an assertion confirmed by Debretsion’s faction via a social media statement. Reda’s governance has also seen the dismissal of three senior military commanders over allegations of conspiracy to incite internal strife.

Lastly, Getachew Reda expressed deep concern regarding the implications of these rivalries on the rehabilitation process intended to follow the Pretoria Agreement. He attributed the turmoil in Tigray to groups seeking political power that are unwilling to support the peace process, thus hindering essential recovery efforts for the region.

In summary, the Tigray region of Ethiopia stands on the brink of renewed conflict as political rivalries intensify and territorial disputes arise. Getachew Reda’s warnings highlight the potential dangers posed by factions within the TPLF and external influences such as Eritrea. The international community’s call for the cessation of hostilities underlines the urgency for diplomatic intervention to restore stability in Tigray and uphold the terms of the Pretoria Agreement.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr