Tigray leaders split as Ethiopia war flares up again
Many Tigrayans criticised the TPLF-led leaders for failing to address hunger and displacement
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has split amid renewed fighting in Ethiopia, with the conflict escalating once again. In its previous war with the Ethiopian federal government in 2020, the TPLF enjoyed internal cohesion, but now it lacks support from its former allies. The party has announced an alliance with six other armed groups, aiming to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government, but it also faces internal challenges.
The TPLF's grip on Tigrayan society has weakened since the end of the last war in 2022, as it has faced economic hardships, increased competition from rival parties, and defections of key members. Recently, armed men detained four veteran military leaders who questioned the new war plans. The resurgence of fighting, attributed to Tigrayan forces seizing control of main airports and attacking federal forces in neighboring regions, has shattered the four-year-old peace deal.
The alliance's effectiveness is questioned, with some experts believing Eritrea, a neighboring country, might be providing support to the TPLF and other armed groups. However, Eritrea denies these allegations. The TPLF's weakened position is evident in the polarization of Tigray's society, where people are divided into 'patriots' and 'traitors'.
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