There has been fear that war could break out in the Tigray region of Ethiopia
Borkena
Toronto – Debretsion led faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) accused the Federal government of violating the Pretoria Agreement in a statement it issued this week.
It came after it completed a five days long meeting in Mekelle.
“The Federal government is enacting legislations and regulations that will be implemented on the People of Tigray ; conditions whereby the Federal government is making decisions unilaterally are being observed extensively,” it claimed in a statement released in Tigrigna language.
The Ethiopian government has not yet responded to the allegations.
A few days ago, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed Getachew Reda, who served as Interim President of Tigray region, as advisor to the Prime Minister on East African Affair. He was replaced by Let. General Tadesse Worede, who served as commander of “Tigray Army” and deputy president of Interim Administration.
Debretsion’s led faction, with support from hundreds of Tigray army commanders, ousted Getachew Reda who was appointed for a two years term in accordance with the Pretoria agreement. The Federal Parliament had to enact a new legislation allowing the Federal government extension of the period when there is a need for a federal government intervention in regions.
The Federal government has been accusing the Debretsion led faction, without naming names, of clandestinely working with the Eritrean government to stir conflict in the region – an accusation they both reject.
There have been fears that the escalating tension in the Tigray region could trigger war. Key politicians from the region like Gebru Asrat and Tsadkan Gebretensae speculate the war, if started, has a potential to be a regional one.
There are over 270,000 armed forces in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. One of the key components of the Pretoria agreement was for the army to disarm about which Debretsion’s led faction of the TPLF is reportedly unhappy.
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