Ethiopian Crisis : Daily Current Affairs

Ethiopian Crisis

UNHCR is warning that a full-scale humanitarian crisis is unfolding as thousands of refugees flee ongoing fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region each day to seek safety in eastern Sudan.

A “full-scale humanitarian crisis” is unfolding in Ethiopia, the United Nations refugee agency said , with more than 27,000 now having fled heavy fighting to Sudan.
Ethiopians fled the ongoing fighting in Tigray region, prepare to cross the Setit River on the Sudan-Ethiopia border in Hamdait village in eastern Kassala state
The pace of the exodus, some 4,000 a day, may also indicate “massive displacement” within the Tigray region.
Ethiopia’s prime minister warned that a deadline for rebel northern forces to lay down arms had expired, paving the way for a final push on the Tigray region’s capital in a two-week conflict destabilising the Horn of Africa.
UNHCR is on stand-by to provide assistance in Tigray when access and security allow.

The TPLF was founded in 1975 as a resistance army of the Tigrayan people against the military dictatorship, which was called the Derg.
The leftist Derg, which was established in 1974, would change its title in 1987 but practically remained in power till it was ousted by the armed rebels in 1991.
The TPLF played a crucial role in ousting the junta and they were welcomed as national heroes in 1991.
TPLF leader Meles Zenawi took over as the interim President in 1991 and became the first elected Prime Minister in 1995.
He is largely seen as the architect of the country’s ethno-federal system and remained in power till 2012.
But over the years, the government led by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a coalition put together by Mr. Zenawi, was accused of being increasingly authoritarian and there were frequent mass protests in the regions.
Though the EPRDF contains regional political parties such as the Amhara Democratic Party, the Oromo Democratic Party and the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement, the TPLF remained the dominant political force.
In 2018, the EPRDF chose Mr. Abiy, a former military intelligence officer, to lead the government amid growing protests and a political deadlock.

Though the EPRDF provided a stable rule with high economic growth for 17 years, there was mounting criticism against the country’s ethno-federal arrangement.
The Tigray people make up roughly 6% of the population, while the Oromos have a 34% share and the Amharas 27%.
While the TPLF controlled the levers of power through the EPRDF, the Oromos alleged marginalisation.
As Prime Minister, Mr. Abiy purged TPLF functionaries from key government posts, released political prisoners (jailed by the TPLF-led government) and promised freer media.
He reached out to Eritrea, a sworn enemy of the TPLF, which shares a long border with the Tigray region.

The TPLF saw the formation of a new party as an attempt by Mr. Abiy to consolidate more power in hands.
On November 3, TPLF militants attacked a federal military command in the Tigray region and captured military hardware and equipment, prompting Mr. Abiy to declare the military operation.
Mr. Abiy’s outreach to Eritrea had outraged the TPLF, which had fought a prolonged war with the Eritrean government along the Tigray border.
The rebels fired rockets into Eritrea from Tigray, threatening a wider regional war in the Horn of Africa. Tigray rebels also fired rockets into the neighbouring Amhara region.
The Tigray region shares a border with Sudan. The TPLF enjoyed good relations with Sudan’s ousted dictator Omar Bashir.
Sudan has a border dispute with Ethiopia. If Sudan’s new rulers (the transition government includes civilian and military leaders) keep the old links with the TPLF active and the border open for the rebels, the conflict could go on.
If it does, it could derail Mr. Abiy’s reform agenda at home as well as the diplomatic agenda abroad.

Sudan and Ethiopia share a common boundary that stretches over 1,600 kilometers (994 miles).
The border was drawn following a series of treaties between Ethiopia and the colonial powers of Britain and Italy. However, to date, this boundary lacks clear demarcation lines.
Sudan’s al-Fashqa region which covers approximately 600 km, is a rich fertile land conducive for agriculture. For decades, Ethiopia has allowed its farmers to plant crops there.
Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir largely turned a blind eye to his country’s territorial incursion. However, Sudan’s transitional authorities, who took over after popular protests which eventually led to the ousting of al-Bashir, have initiated talks with Ethiopia in a bid to have to Ethiopian farmers withdraw.