March 4, 2025
Borkena
Toronto – The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) seems to think that war between Eritrea and Ethiopia is inevitable. Yet, it is speaking out that “nothing will be achieved through war.”
In an interview with Brakhe Show, Amanuel Assefa, Deputy Chairman of the TPLF factions under the leadership of Debretsion Gebremichael, says “we are witnessing military shows that appear to be preparations for war.” The war, he says, will have a geopolitical danger , and that the two countries should think about it wisely.
“In my speculation the situation will not lead to a peaceful situation ; there is no question that it will lead to war,” he added.
He described the situation between the two countries as “worrisome.” He explained it. “If the two countries start war, it will be Tigray that will be the theatre of war. Our people endured many sufferings. We have got enough war.”
The Tigray region was devastated by the two years war between the TPLF led Tigray regional state and Abiy Ahmed led Federal government which also devastated the Afar and Amhara regions of Ethiopia.
Amanuel also remarked about reported TPLF military leaders and Eritrean government relations. He dismissed it as baseless ; no evidence whatsoever.
The TPLF or the security forces leaders will not pursue an anti-Ethiopian government move to ally with Eritrea or “other forces.” The “other forces” are not elaborated.
There have been allegations that some TPLF military leaders – who later expressed support to the faction under Debretsion Gebremichael – were smuggling gold from mining sites in Tigray via Eritrea. Eritrea has also denied it.
The TPLF seems to have a recent history of relations with Egypt. Getahew Reda, President of Tigray Interim Administration and leader of one of the TPLF factions, had disclosed a few months ago that Egypt delivered support to TPLF during the two years war against the Abiy Ahmed led government.
Egypt is now allying with Eritrea and Somalia apparently with the hope of weakening Ethiopia further. Last week, Egyptian FM Badr Abdelatty was in Asmara where he held talks with Eritrean president Isaias Afeworki on a range of issues including regional security.
The relation between Eritrea and Ethiopia is near a point of military confrontation after the two countries have been trading accusations. A recent OpEd piece by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Tehome published on Al Jazeera – which the Ethiopian government disowned later – accuses Eritrea of working with one faction of TPLF to stir conflict in the Horn of Africa region. Eritrea on its part accused Ethiopia of “war mongering.”
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