Residents of Mekelle, the largest city in Tigray, Ethiopia, expressed their fears to the BBC about the possibility of being drawn back into conflict. The fragile peace agreement signed in late 2022, ending a brutal civil war that claimed many lives, is now threatened by growing tensions.
Many residents are bracing themselves for potential conflict by either fleeing to Addis Ababa or stocking up on emergency supplies. The anxiety is palpable, with one resident stating, “It’s all because of the anxiety.”
The aftermath of the war has left lasting scars on individuals like Tseganesh Kassa, an ex-combatant from Shire. She suffered a severe leg injury during the conflict and now relies on crutches for mobility. She laments the impact of the war on her family, saying, “War rocked my family.”
The peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) led to the establishment of an interim administration. However, recent power struggles within the TPLF and Tigray’s interim administration have raised concerns about the agreement’s stability.
There are fears that the peace deal could unravel, potentially leading to a direct conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Allegations of gross abuses during the civil war, including mass killings and sexual violence, have strained relations between the two countries.
The return to conflict in Tigray or clashes between Ethiopia and Eritrea could have far-reaching implications for the region, which is already volatile. Despite the semblance of normality in Mekelle, residents remain wary of the possibility of further conflict and its devastating consequences.
Y no hay una fuerte presencia de fuerzas de seguridad en las calles.
Pero después de vivir uno de los conflictos más mortales de África en la memoria reciente, muchos están siguiendo de cerca cada pequeño desarrollo.
En una cafetería, los jóvenes están pegados a sus teléfonos, viendo clips de recientes declaraciones de prensa hechas por el jefe de la administración interina de Tigray, Getachew Reda, quien actualmente está a cientos de kilómetros de distancia en Addis Abeba para “consultas” con las autoridades federales.
En otra cafetería, un joven dijo que estaba esperando para ver qué haría el nuevo alcalde de la ciudad – quien fue nombrado el jueves por la facción disidente del TPLF – para calmar al público.
Todo el mundo, parece, está esperando a ver qué traerán los próximos días y semanas.
Más sobre la guerra civil en Etiopía:
[Getty Images/BBC]
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