General Tsadkan Gebretensae warns of imminent war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as military preparations near completion. Tigray may become a battleground, with rising tensions since the Pretoria Agreement. Former President Mulatu Teshome also cautioned against Isaias Afwerki’s influence on divisions within the TPLF, which could derail peace efforts. Eritrea has rejected such accusations, asserting that Ethiopia’s challenges are internal.
The Tigray Interim Administration has raised alarms about the imminent risk of war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, indicating that military preparations are nearing completion. General Tsadkan Gebretensae, Vice President of the Tigray Interim Administration, emphasized that the Tigray region could emerge as a battleground for potential hostilities. He characterized the conflict as ‘inevitable’ and accused Asmara of fostering hostility towards Ethiopia.
General Tsadkan warned of a possible escalation of conflict, stating, “At any moment, the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out.” He indicated that the consequences could extend beyond the two nations, potentially impacting Sudan and the Red Sea region. He expressed Tigray’s desire for peace but cautioned that with diminishing options for resolution, war may become the sole recourse.
He noted that the relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea has soured since the Pretoria agreement, which initially eased hostilities in Tigray. General Tsadkan stated, “Preparations are in their final stages,” and warned that stalling such preparations would become increasingly difficult. He accused Eritrea of predatory behavior, asserting that the nation perceives Tigray as a significant obstacle to its objectives.
Furthermore, he claimed that certain factions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and military have sought alliances with Eritrea to protect themselves from exposure. He pointed out the ambitions of these leaders, who may once have viewed Eritrea as a partner against Abiy Ahmed and now exhibit a dangerous thirst for power, indifferent to the plight of Tigrayans.
Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome echoed these sentiments, accusing Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki of exploiting divisions within the TPLF to undermine the Pretoria Peace Agreement. In a recent article, he warned that Isaias’s maneuverings risk reigniting conflict in northern Ethiopia and destabilizing the peace process.
Eritrea has rebutted these claims, with Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel describing them as an “audacious claim” that seeks to justify a warmongering agenda. The Eritrean government contended that Ethiopia’s internal issues should not be attributed externally, insisting that the roots of regional instability lie within Ethiopia.
In summary, escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as indicated by General Tsadkan Gebretensae and former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, may foreshadow the revival of conflict. The Tigray Interim Administration’s fears highlight the fragility of peace following the Pretoria Agreement, amidst accusations of manipulations by Eritrean leadership. Eritrea, on its part, has categorically denied these allegations, asserting the internal nature of Ethiopia’s turmoil. The situation warrants close attention given its potential regional implications.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
