Ethiopia: Conflict has resumed between the federal army and Tigrayan rebels

In northern Ethiopia, hostilities are taking place between the Ethiopian Federal Army and rebels in the Tigray region. The two sides accuse each other of having broken a ceasefire signed last March.

In November 2020, Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, sent the federal army to dislodge the authorities in the Tigray region, which was then governed by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which was challenging his authority. From then on, conflicts kept breaking out between the two sides.

The new charges

“Disregarding the numerous peace offers made by the Ethiopian government, rebel forces in Tigray “launched an attack today at 05:00” (02:00 GMT) and “broke the ceasefire,” the Ethiopian government said in a statement on Wednesday 24 August. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Tigray rebel authorities, Getachew Reda, told AFP that Ethiopian federal forces “launched an offensive early this (Wednesday) morning at about 05:00 (02:00 GMT), we are defending our positions.

The Ethiopian government has confirmed that fighting has resumed in northern Ethiopia between the federal army and rebels in the Tigray region. While the day before (Tuesday 23 August), the Ethiopian Federal Army had accused the Tigrayan rebels of “moving towards their positions” or “bombing them”.

Retaliatory attack

The government statement said: “Our valiant defence forces and all our security forces are responding victoriously and in a coordinated manner to this attack. It calls on the international community to exert “strong pressure” on the rebel authorities in Tigray.

The new clashes in northern Ethiopia come after the government expressed its willingness to enter into negotiations with the Tigrayan rebels in the north on Thursday 18 August. And this under certain conditions. “The peace proposal has three components. Firstly, that peace talks take place in the coming weeks with a view to agreeing a ceasefire. Secondly, the establishment of a comprehensive political dialogue between the parties with a view to resolving the conflict. Thirdly, that other outstanding issues be addressed in a national dialogue,” said Billene Seyoum, spokesperson for the Ethiopian Prime Minister.

The announcement raised hopes for peace in a country where conflict has already left thousands dead and millions displaced to neighbouring Sudan. And where the region is deprived of essential services such as electricity, telecommunications or banking services…