The political crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has deepened following a dramatic power struggle within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Rival forces loyal to former regional leader Debretsion Gebremichael have seized key government offices, raising fears of renewed conflict in the war-ravaged region.
The latest escalation comes after Debretsion’s faction, accompanied by armed soldiers, took control of the mayor’s office and Mekelle FM radio station in the regional capital, Mekelle. Gunfire was also reported in Adi-Gudem, a town near Mekelle, where the dissident forces reportedly arrested the mayor and took over his office.
Tigray’s interim president, Getachew Reda, has accused the rival faction of attempting to overthrow his administration. Getachew was appointed leader under a 2022 peace deal between the TPLF and the Ethiopian federal government, which ended a brutal two-year civil war that claimed an estimated 500,000 lives. However, growing tensions and delays in implementing the peace agreement have exacerbated divisions within the TPLF.
In response to the attempted takeover, Getachew suspended three generals from the Tigray Defence Forces, accusing them of trying to destabilize the region. He has also called on Ethiopia’s federal government to intervene, though he did not specify what kind of assistance he was seeking. Currently in Addis Ababa for consultations, Getachew has vowed to return to Tigray and restore order.
Amidst the rising tensions, Getachew has accused external actors, particularly Eritrea, of supporting the dissident faction in a bid to destabilize Tigray. Eritrea, which played a significant role in the previous war and was accused of mass killings and sexual violence, has denied involvement. Two close allies of Debretsion have also rejected claims of Eritrean backing and downplayed the risk of another full-scale conflict.
The international community has expressed concern over the deteriorating situation. The United States, Britain, and the European Union have urged all parties to avoid violence, while France has advised its nationals in Tigray to stock up on emergency supplies and exercise extreme caution. The African Union has also voiced “deep concern” over the unfolding crisis.
With Tigray still struggling to recover from the previous war, the region now faces renewed instability, threatening the fragile peace and political future of Ethiopia.
