Ethiopia and Eritrea face the possibility of conflict, endangering the peace process initiated by PM Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel laureate. Analysts suggest this could draw in regional powers and worsen humanitarian crises in East Africa, particularly affecting Sudan and Somalia. General Tsadkan Gebretensae warns about the imminent threat of war.
Clashes between Ethiopia and Eritrea signify a potential collapse of the peace established by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for this achievement. Analysts warn that such conflict could attract involvement from other regional powers and exacerbate ongoing crises in East Africa, further complicating humanitarian aid efforts for countries like Sudan and Somalia, already suffering from internal conflicts.
General Tsadkan Gebretensae, involved in Ethiopia’s Tigray interim administration, indicated a pressing threat of war, stating, “At any moment war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out.” His comments reflect rising tensions in a landscape marked by instability.
Between 2020 and 2022, a civil war in Tigray between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and Ethiopia’s central government resulted in catastrophic loss of life, with estimates indicating hundreds of thousands dead. This historical context underscores the fragility of peace in the region and the dire consequences of renewed hostilities.
The looming threat of conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea poses serious risks to the fragile peace established in recent years. The potential for broader regional involvement could lead to a humanitarian crisis, intensifying the difficulties faced by nations in East Africa. The historical context of the Tigray civil war serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of such conflicts.
Original Source: www.channelafrica.co.za