Current Affairs

Issue

The crisis between the Ethiopian government forces and rebel forces of Tigray could escalate into a full blown war if not controlled.

 

Background

The UN assumes that a civil war is in offering if the fighting in country’s northern region does not stop.

 

Details

• A UN report says that seven million people are in urgent need of food aid and no trucks have been able to reach capital of Tigray.

• The conflict started in November last year when Ethiopian Prime Minister ordered a military action against rebel forces in the northern region of Tigray. 

• The reason for conflict were years of disagreements that started between the Abiy government and political leaders in Tigray, as a result of reforms.

 

The escalation

• The conflict started as a domestic problem but became an international crisis after it spread outside the country’s borders due to refugee crisis.

• There were incidents of women and girl facing sexual and physical violence during the conflict. Rape was being used as tool of intimidation.

 

Underlying reasons

• Ethiopia is federal republic with each of its 10 provinces having independence on ethnic lines. The constitution gives them powers to secede.

• A similar incident happened in 1990s when Ethiopia’s province, Eritrea gained full independence using western support.

• The Prime Minister does not want the incident to be repeated and has taken measures to democratize the country, which is not acceptable to political leaders of Tigray.