A long drawn out struggle for power within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a dissident faction of the main political party in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray, has evolved into armed conflict.
The armed skirmishes came to a head with one of the factions taking control of the regional capital Mekelle and a radio station.
Getachew Reda, president of Tigray’s interim administration, has accused the rival group, led by Debretsion Gebremichael, of attempting to forcefully remove him from office.
Reda became Tigray’s leader following a 2022 peace deal ending two years of conflict with federal forces in the region, which killed an estimated 500,000 people.
Debretsion Gebremichael was previously the region’s leader but over the past year, relations have soured with the man who replaced him.
On Thursday, members of the Gebremichael faction accompanied by armed soldiers took control of Mekelle, an FM radio station and the mayor’s office in the city.
The forces reportedly arrested the town’s mayor and took control of the office.
Reda has suspended three generals of the Tigray Defence Forces, accusing the rival faction of trying to destabilise the region.
On Wednesday, Reda asked the Ethiopian government to “provide necessary assistance”, without specifying the kind of support.
The African Union (AU) said Friday that it has been closely monitoring the evolving situation within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) with deep concern.
The AU underscores the importance of stability and peace in the region, calling upon all parties involved to exercise restraint and engage in constructive dialogue.
In light of the current developments, the AU strongly encourages the parties to uphold the obligations enshrined in the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) between the TPLF and federal Ethiopia, in Pretoria, in November 2022.
The AU emphasised that adherence to the COHA is crucial for maintaining the hard-won peace and fostering an environment conducive to sustainable peace building, reconciliation and development.
MG/as/APA