The Tigray conflict is flaring up again as the TPLF regains control of key areas. A split within the TPLF has led to power struggles, with regional leaders urging federal intervention. Accusations of foreign interference by Eritrea and Egypt complicate the situation further, leading to fears of a renewed civil war in Ethiopia.
The Tigray region of Ethiopia is facing renewed conflict nearly two and a half years after the Pretoria agreements concluded a previous civil war. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has recently regained control of Adigrate, the region’s second-largest city, dismissing the provisional government established by the federal government. The TPLF accused the previous administration of being aligned with Addis Ababa and has begun efforts to assume power in other areas of Tigray.
In the wake of these developments, the dismissal of four high-ranking military officials by Getachew Reda signals a move towards consolidating power within the TPLF amidst a deepening rift in the party. The TPLF, once the ruling party of Ethiopia, is currently divided into factions, with Reda leading a more diplomatic group. In contrast, the faction headed by Debretsion Gebremichael advocates for a more aggressive stance against the federal government.
As tensions rise, Tigray President Reda has called upon the federal government to intervene, asserting that the actions of the TPLF’s breakaway faction represent a criminal agenda that does not serve the people. He has sought support from Western ambassadors to discuss diplomatic measures to prevent further conflict, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to uphold the Pretoria Agreement.
The TPLF faction has denounced the claims of the interim administration, stating that their military leadership cannot be dismissed arbitrarily and remains crucial to the region’s stability. They further accused the interim government of being contrary to the interests of the Tigrayan people and warned against actions that could exacerbate instability.
Regional opposition parties have sided with President Reda, denouncing the actions of the TPLF faction as a coup attempt, while implicating Eritrea and potentially Egypt as actors in the destabilization efforts. Concerns about foreign intervention in Tigray’s leadership crisis have prompted calls for international community involvement to avert a wider regional conflict.
Egypt and Eritrea have been accused of playing significant roles in this crisis, allegedly backing the hostile faction within TPLF. Recent rumors suggest military leaders of the TPLF are involved in smuggling operations through Eritrea. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea continue to strain as mutual accusations abound, indicating a potential for further conflict in the Horn of Africa.
The developments in Tigray highlight the fragile peace established by the Pretoria Agreement, as rival factions within the TPLF vie for power. Calls for federal intervention by regional leaders reflect the urgent need for diplomatic engagement to prevent a descent into renewed civil strife. The involvement of external powers like Eritrea and Egypt exacerbates the situation, necessitating a nuanced approach to ensure regional stability and uphold the interests of the Tigrayan people.
Original Source: www.agenzianova.com
