[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The federal government of Ethiopia in East Africa is escalating the risk of civil war by deploying military forces to the Tigray region, where tensions are high, and declaring a state of emergency.
On the 4th (local time), Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed deployed military forces to Mekelle, the capital of northern Tigray, and other areas, and declared a six-month state of emergency in the region, according to local foreign media reports.
The Tigray region has been in conflict with the federal government after unilaterally holding local elections last September amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government refused to provide financial support to the Tigray regional administration, and the Tigray region strongly opposed this, calling it a declaration of war.
Prime Minister Abiy ordered the deployment of federal troops to Tigray, stating that there had been "provocations and incitements" over the past few months and that "the last red line (a line that must not be crossed) has been crossed."
In a televised address to the nation, he warned that there were "several (military personnel) casualties" due to attacks on military camps in Tigray and that the Tigray regional militia's "end is near."
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), identified as the attacker of the military camp overnight, is well-armed. Prime Minister Abiy referred to the TPLF and the ruling party in the Tigray region collectively as "rebellious forces."
The Tigray region was the main political force before Prime Minister Abiy came to power in 2018, but later withdrew from the coalition, claiming marginalization during Abiy's reform process.
AP News analyzed, "Prime Minister Abiy's rule is now facing its greatest test." Tigray officials had opposed the general election originally scheduled for August, which was postponed due to COVID-19. The election delay extended Prime Minister Abiy's term.
William Davidson, a senior analyst at the think tank International Crisis Group (ICG), urged both sides to cease hostilities, saying, "War would be the worst outcome of the simmering tensions."
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