Residents in Ethiopia’s Tigray region express fears of renewed conflict as political tensions rise, threatening the fragile peace established after the civil war that caused significant casualties. Many are opting to leave or stock up on supplies, while the situation remains tense with accusations between the TPLF and interim administration. Local citizens, weary from past violence, remain vigilant amidst ongoing power struggles and unresolved issues with Eritrea.
Residents of Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, are expressing fears of renewed conflict as tensions rise. The fragile peace settlement made in late 2022, which ended a devastating civil war that resulted in approximately 500,000 deaths, is now at risk due to increasing political strife. In response, many citizens are preparing for the worst by either securing flights to Addis Ababa or stocking up on essential supplies while withdrawing their savings from banks.
Tseganesh Kassa, a war veteran with a severe leg injury, exemplifies the trauma experienced by many Tigrayans. She states that the war devastated her family and left her disabled. Displaced individuals still living in makeshift camps have not yet returned home, and Kassa emphasizes that “No one can handle another [war].”
The conflict began to settle when the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) reached a peace agreement. Following this, an interim administration was established to govern Tigray until elections could be organized. However, recent months have seen a power struggle unfold between TPLF leaders and the interim government, with mutual accusations of attempting to seize power and failing to support ex-combatants.
Furthermore, disputes over territories previously controlled by Tigray but now held by other factions add to the tension. Both parties suspect the involvement of “external actors” in treacherous activities, escalating fears of the peace deal collapsing and setting the stage for possible conflict with Eritrea. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, once allies during the Tigray war, have deteriorated post-peace accord, with Eritrea not signing the agreement and feeling scapegoated for wartime atrocities.
The Eritrean information minister dismissed allegations of troop abuses, claiming they are “fabricated.” In Tigray, officials demand the return of disputed areas currently under Amhara control, further complicating relations as Ethiopia seeks maritime access.
The potential for renewed hostilities is alarming for Mekelle’s residents, who express war fatigue. Tesfay Gebreabgzi, a young shoe-shiner, highlights a shift from the desire to fight during the civil war to an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. Haimanot Gebremariam, a local vendor, shares her family’s trauma, having lost one son to injury in the conflict and reveres the notion of returning to “the dark days.”
Despite the underlying tension, life carries on in Mekelle; businesses operate, with fewer security forces visible. However, the scars of war persist as many locals remain vigilant about unfolding events, paying close attention to developments from the interim administration and the newly appointed local mayor.
In summary, the situation in Tigray remains precarious, characterized by historical trauma, political power struggles, and the pervasive fear of conflict’s return. The long-term impacts of war linger significantly, as nearly a million displaced individuals remain without homes, and essential infrastructure is still in need of repair.
The Tigray region is in a volatile state, with residents wary of potential new conflicts despite a current peace agreement. Political strife and power struggles persist post-war, exacerbating fears among the population. Although daily life continues in Mekelle, the past trauma of conflict resounds as families hope for stability and the return of displaced persons. The implications of renewed violence could destabilize an already fragile region, making vigilance crucial in the face of uncertainty.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
