Ethiopia’s Tigray interim government requests federal intervention after a TPLF faction seized key towns, raising fears of renewed civil war. TPLF’s actions may signify a potential coup attempt, complicating the peace established post-conflict. Internal fragmentation within the TPLF adds to the instability as leaders urge international oversight to prevent further deterioration.
Ethiopia’s Tigray interim government has requested federal intervention after a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) took control of key towns. The faction seized Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest town, and appointed a new administrator, displacing the interim government’s appointed official. The following night, they captured Adi-Gudem, where injuries were reported during an assault on a government building. These events revive concerns about the possibility of renewed civil conflict.
The TPLF previously engaged in a devastating two-year conflict against federal forces, concluding in November 2022 with a peace agreement. This agreement facilitated the formation of a TPLF-led interim government. The warfare, which began in November 2020, resulted in significant casualties, displacing millions, and left many facing famine in Ethiopia. Following the end of the conflict, the TPLF has faced internal fragmentation.
In October, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael removed interim government head Getachew Reda from the party, along with four of his cabinet ministers. In response, Reda suspended four senior military leaders whom he suspected of supporting Gebremichael’s faction. A Wednesday statement from the Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau warned of a potential crisis in the region.
Reda labeled the TPLF’s actions as a possible coup attempt, urging the international community—critical to the peace agreement—to closely observe the escalating situation in Tigray. He mentioned, “The parties to the Pretoria Agreement should really take into account the deteriorating situation in Tigray….”
Conversely, TPLF deputy chairman Amanuel Assefa contended that the current issues are unrelated to the Pretoria agreement, focusing instead on law enforcement matters. He asserted the TPLF’s legitimacy concerning the agreement, minimizing the reasons for any actions perceived as violations.
The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is increasingly precarious, marked by factional conflicts within the TPLF and calls for federal intervention. The TPLF’s recent actions have reignited fears of civil war, following a devastating conflict that had previously shaken the region. Both internal disputes and external observations remain crucial as stakeholders assess the potential repercussions of escalating tensions on peace in Tigray.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
