The dispute between the Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed and the ruling party in Tigray is escalating, leading to fear of the breakup of the nation. Amid the pandemic, the federal parliament had agreed to postpone the August 2020 elections by 12 months. Despite this decision, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party of the region, announced plans to conduct regional elections on Wednesday.
Abiy's government has declared the elections illegal as it does not have the permission from the national election board. However, he has also ruled out sending the military to stop elections. On July 25 he said, "The federal government has no intention and interest to attack its own people,". Many of Abiy's supporters, including former army General Kassaye Chemeda, have called for military involvement in Tigray.
In response to an invitation from the federal government to discuss elections, the Tigray government has said an attempt to stop or disrupt elections will be seen as "tantamount to declaration of war".
The TPLF played a crucial role in overthrowing the Marxist regime in 1991. While it has never expressed a desire to break away from Ethiopia, it has always believed this right should be respected. Since Mr. Abiy's rise to power, the TPLF has lost its voice in the federal government. As a result, they have retreated into Tigray, raising concerns that its ties with Ethiopia were loosening.
Written by Anushree Appandairajan
Artwork by Aurora Brooks
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