Ethiopia’s Tigray region has requested federal intervention following the takeover of the town of Adigrat by a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Since the 2022 peace agreement, the TPLF has divided into factions, leading to increased tensions. The interim administration leader has emphasized the need for federal support to prevent a return to conflict.
On Wednesday, officials in Ethiopia’s Tigray region called for federal assistance due to the takeover of a town by a faction of the region’s main political party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This event raises concerns of a potential resurgence of conflict in a region still recovering from a devastating two-year war. The TPLF has governed Tigray’s interim administration since its establishment in 2023, following a peace agreement that concluded extensive violence in the area.
The conflict, which ended with a truce in November 2022, resulted in significant humanitarian crises with tens of thousands of casualties and millions displaced. Since the peace deal, the TPLF has experienced a split into two factions, both claiming rightful leadership. Getachew Reda, leader of one faction and head of the interim administration, reported that his contender, Debretsion Gebremichael, had forcibly gained control of Adigrat, a significant northern town.
Debretsion’s faction confirmed this takeover through an announcement on their official Facebook page. Further escalating tensions, Getachew dismissed three senior military leaders, accusing them of complicity in potential internal strife. He asserted that the federal government must act against those misrepresenting Tigray’s interests, emphasizing the need for intervention to avoid further destruction in the region.
Getachew stated emphatically that it was critical for the federal government to understand the gravity of the situation and to take action against what he termed a “backward and criminal clique” that jeopardizes the stability of Tigray. He expressed concern over potential violations of the Pretoria Agreement, a critical peace accord signed in South Africa in 2022. Notably, requests for comments from government officials and Debretsion concerning this situation remained unanswered as of the report’s release.
The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region highlights ongoing political tensions and the potential for renewed conflict following a recent town takeover. With two factions of the TPLF vying for control, calls for federal intervention underscore the fragility of the peace established after a brutal war. The urgency expressed by Tigray’s leadership reflects fears of escalating violence and humanitarian challenges if the situation remains unaddressed.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
