Residents of Tigray Region Fear Renewed Conflict Amid Rising Tensions

Citizens in Mekelle, Tigray, fear a repeat of conflict amid rising tensions post-peace agreement. Tensions between TPLF and interim administration, coupled with unresolved territorial disputes with Eritrea, heighten anxiety. Despite a facade of normalcy, the community is weary of potential violence as they prepare for uncertain future developments.

Residents of Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, express fear of renewed conflict as tensions rise against the backdrop of the fragile peace agreement established in late 2022 after a devastating civil war. Many citizens have begun to prepare for the worst by either securing sold-out flights to Addis Ababa or stockpiling emergency supplies and withdrawing their savings from banks, driven by rising anxiety.

Tseganesh Kassa, an ex-combatant from Shire, shared the psychological toll of war, stating, “I am now a disabled person and my family has been [ruined] economically. I don’t want to see that again. Displaced persons still living in makeshift camps have yet to return home, and she emphasizes that, “No-one can handle another war.”

The conflict initially halted when Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed a peace agreement, establishing an interim administration. However, a power struggle has since emerged between TPLF leaders and regional officials, with accusations of attempts to seize authority by force, exacerbating tensions.

Both factions accuse each other of treasonous actions leading to fears that the peace agreement may collapse, with threats of conflict resurfacing not only within Tigray but also between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which had previously allied with the Ethiopian government during the war.

The situation remains precarious as historical issues resurface, with ongoing disputes over territorial claims and the return of displaced individuals. Concerns about crimes to humanity committed during the war linger as Eritrea’s information minister dismisses allegations of ongoing violations as “fabricated.”

Community members express deep fatigue from previous violence and trauma, with many cautioning against a return to a bleak past. Haimanot Gebremariam, a vendor, reflects on her family’s experience, wishing to avoid “the dark days” once more, while asserting ongoing fears for their future.

While Mekelle shows a façade of normalcy with businesses in operation, the atmosphere is tense. Young people occupy themselves with news from Tigray’s interim administration as they await decisive actions. Observers note that the future remains uncertain, with residents eager for clarity regarding developments that could disrupt their fragile peace.

The residents of Mekelle are grappling with uncertainty and anxiety as fears of renewed conflict overshadow the region. The fragile peace established after the devastating civil war hangs in the balance due to rising tensions between political factions. Despite the semblance of normalcy in daily life, the population remains acutely aware of the potential for resurgence in violence, driven by unresolved grievances and historical tensions with Eritrea. The collective trauma of past conflicts shapes their apprehensions about future instability.

Original Source: www.bbc.com