Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae warns of imminent war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with Tigray potentially becoming the main battleground. He cites the deterioration of relations post-Pretoria peace agreement and rising internal divisions within Tigray as complicating factors. Tsadkan emphasizes the need for urgent intervention to avert conflict and envisions significant regional changes if hostilities erupt.
Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae, an official in the Tigray Interim Administration, has expressed serious concerns regarding the potential outbreak of war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He claims that preparations for conflict are nearing completion, positioning Tigray to become a key battleground. Tsadkan indicates that while Tigray desires peace, escalating tensions may leave war as the only viable option.
The general noted that the relationship between Addis Ababa and Asmara has weakened since the Pretoria peace agreement, increasing the likelihood of conflict. He emphasized that as preparations advance, it becomes increasingly challenging to prevent an outbreak of war. Tsadkan criticized Eritrea for its aggressive policies and ambitions in the region, arguing that Tigray is viewed as a significant obstacle to those objectives.
Moreover, Tsadkan believes that internal divisions within Tigray could complicate the situation even further. He alleges that some factions within the TPLF might consider allying with Eritrea to protect their interests against the Ethiopian government, despite potential long-term consequences. Tsadkan characterized these factions as being driven by a “taste for power” and indifferent to the well-being of Tigranian people.
In a related context, former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome accused Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki of attempting to exploit TPLF divisions, suggesting these actions could endanger the fragile peace. He cautioned that Eritrean intervention risks escalating conflict in northern Ethiopia, undermining the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
Eritrean officials have dismissed these assessments as unfounded, asserting claims of their involvement are baseless and meant to justify a war-oriented narrative. They contend that Ethiopia’s internal strife should not be externalized, placing the blame solely on Ethiopia’s internal issues.
Tsadkan warns that renewed conflict would have catastrophic effects, predicting major geopolitical changes in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea if no resolution is reached. He advocates for the full implementation of the Pretoria agreement to prevent war and calls for urgent intervention by both the Ethiopian government and international stakeholders. He concludes that should war become unavoidable, swift resolution through military or diplomatic actions would serve the best interests of Tigray and the surrounding regions.
Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae has raised alarms about the looming threat of war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, highlighting the deteriorating situation despite Tigray’s preference for peace. The potential conflict could destabilize the region, influenced by internal pressures within Tigray and Eritrea’s aggressive tactics. Immediate action by the Ethiopian government and international aides is essential to prevent disastrous outcomes and ensure the full enforcement of the Pretoria peace agreement.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
