Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Faces Instability Amid Internal Conflicts and External Threats

Ethiopia’s Tigray region faces instability due to TPLF faction conflicts, leading to flight cancellations and fears of renewed violence. TPLF splits raise concerns over collaboration with Eritrean forces, potentially inciting further conflict. The head of Tigray’s interim government urges support from the federal government to maintain peace amid tensions.

The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region remains precarious, marked by the cancellation of flights due to fears of renewed violence. These concerns stem from a rift within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which previously battled against the federal army during a brutal two-year conflict and now governs the post-war interim administration in Tigray.

The TPLF is divided into factions—one that collaborates with the federal government of Ethiopia and another that opposes it. This division was exacerbated when a dissident faction seized control of Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest town, alleging that the current leadership is compromising Tigrayan interests. The interim administration has countered by accusing the dissidents of colluding with Eritrean forces.

In the midst of increasing unrest, Getachew Reda, head of Tigray’s interim administration, has sought support from the Ethiopian government to counteract the actions of dissidents, who deny any affiliation with Eritrea. On March 10, Mr. Getachew expressed concerns about the potential harmful consequences for the Tigray people if invigorated conflict transpires.

The evolving situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region signals significant diplomatic and humanitarian risks. The split within the TPLF and the involvement of regional actors could lead to a resurgence of violence, jeopardizing the fragile peace established in 2022 and potentially resulting in further humanitarian crises across the Horn of Africa. Authorities emphasize the imperative need for unity to avert a repeat of past conflicts that devastated the region.

Original Source: www.aciafrica.org