Instability in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Signals Potential Conflict with Eritrea

The Tigray region of Ethiopia is experiencing rising tensions that may lead to renewed war with Eritrea. Reports indicate instability following a split within the TPLF, which could have severe humanitarian implications for the region. Key figures, including the head of Tigray’s interim administration, have expressed concerns over external influences and the potential for the Tigray people to suffer once more due to escalating violence.

The Tigray region in Ethiopia faces increasing instability, as revealed by multiple reports stating potential military conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. On March 15, an unnamed source informed ACI Africa of alarming conditions, confirming reports of expert warnings regarding an impending war. Although Church leaders have not yet commented, there are indications of heightened tension, including flight cancellations in the area.

The backdrop for this potential conflict stems from a two-year civil war that concluded with a peace agreement in November 2022, leading to significant losses in life. Reports highlight fresh instability, with Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae, a key figure in Tigray’s interim administration, suggesting that “at any moment, war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out.” Concerns are exacerbated by a schism within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which previously clashed with Ethiopian forces during the civil war.

This fracture within the TPLF is critical, as it has resulted in a faction now managing Tigray with the federal government’s approval and another opposing faction. Tensions escalated on March 11 when a dissident faction captured the town of Adigrat, further complicating the situation in Tigray, which has already seen violence following the conflict with Eritrean troops.

Getachew Reda, the head of Tigray’s interim administration, has articulated concerns over the dissidents, alleging ties to Eritrea, while emphasizing the possible involvement of external actors in the region’s unrest. Reda asserted the implications such a conflict would have, stating, “what concerns me is that the Tigray people may once again become victims of a war they don’t believe in.”

Experts warn that renewed violence could not only impact Tigray but also destabilize the wider Horn of Africa, exacerbating existing humanitarian crises. As highlighted in reports, a new war could undermine the reconciliation efforts initiated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. The ongoing crises in neighboring Sudan and Somalia further intensify the urgency of the situation in Tigray, where aid efforts are already challenged by internal conflicts and funding cuts.

The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is increasingly precarious, with indications of potential conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea compounded by internal strife within the TPLF. The implications of renewed violence could result in widespread humanitarian crises in an already volatile Horn of Africa. It is crucial for stakeholders to seek diplomacy and stability to prevent a recurrence of devastating conflict.

Original Source: www.catholicnewsagency.com