Ethiopia’s Tigray officials request federal intervention after a faction of the TPLF seized town control, raising fears of renewed conflict. The TPLF has split since the 2022 peace agreement, leading to accusations of power grabs and the need for federal support to maintain stability.
Officials in Ethiopia’s Tigray region are calling for federal intervention following a recent seizure of the town of Adigrat by a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This factional takeover raises concerns about the potential resurgence of conflict in a region still recovering from a devastating two-year war that ended in late 2022 with a fragile peace agreement.
The TPLF, which has governed Tigray since a peace deal established an interim administration in 2023, has experienced internal divisions leading to a split into two factions. On Wednesday, Getachew Reda, leader of one faction and head of the interim administration, accused rival Debretsion Gebremichael of taking over Adigrat, an action confirmed by Debretsion’s faction on social media.
Getachew Reda expressed alarm at the recent developments, asserting that hostile actors are jeopardizing the region’s stability. He urged the federal government to intervene, stating, “The federal government must… understand that those acting in the name of the security forces are agents of a backward and criminal clique.” He emphasized the need for federal support to prevent further violations of the Pretoria Agreement.
Calls for comment were directed to several government officials and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office, but responses have not been forthcoming. This political turmoil within the TPLF emphasizes the fragility of peace efforts following years of conflict in northern Ethiopia.
The Tigray region’s current political instability highlights the risks of renewed conflict as internal factions of the TPLF vie for control. The call for federal intervention underlines the urgency to uphold peace agreements and stabilize the region to prevent further humanitarian crises, emphasizing the sensitive nature of the political landscape in Ethiopia.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
