Ethiopia does not want war: PM
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has reiterated that the nation does not seek war, despite reports of federal forces gathering near the Tigray region. This development has heightened concerns about the potential for renewed conflict.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has reiterated that the nation does not seek war, despite reports of federal forces gathering near the Tigray region. This development has heightened concerns about the potential for renewed conflict.
The Tigray region experienced significant unrest in 2022 following a two-year conflict involving federal forces, local militias, and the Eritrean army against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF, which was a dominant force in Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades, faced marginalization and a ban after Abiy, a non-Tigrayan, assumed power in 2018.
Estimates from the African Union suggest that the conflict resulted in at least 600,000 fatalities. Although a ceasefire was maintained for over two years, hostilities between federal and Tigrayan forces resumed in November last year and again in January.
Recent weeks have seen substantial deployments of federal troops along the Tigray border, with Tigrayan forces also mobilizing in response.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has reiterated that the nation does not seek war, despite reports of federal forces gathering near the Tigray region.
Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the importance of resolving issues through dialogue, stating, "We don't want war," during an interview aired by the Ethiopian news agency. In a rare instance, Abiy communicated in Tigrinya, the regional language, highlighting that some parties were hindering dialogue and solutions.
Conversely, Amanuel Assefa, the TPLF's deputy leader, claimed in an interview that the "federal government is preparing itself to wage a war against Tigray." The federal government has accused the TPLF of strengthening ties with Eritrea, which could strain relations with Addis Ababa. The TPLF has denied these allegations.
Eritrean authorities have accused Ethiopia of harboring intentions towards the strategic port of Assab. The two countries previously engaged in a conflict from May 1998 to June 2000 over several contested border towns.
Prime Minister Abiy also addressed concerns regarding Eritrea's intentions, asserting that Eritrea would "not hesitate to destabilize the country" and warning, "If it tries, I believe it will be its last attempt."
Based on reporting by Africanews.
