Disputed Land Conflict Displaces Thousands in Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA — A fierce battle over contested land along the borders of Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara regions has resulted in the displacement of nearly 29,000 individuals, according to the United Nations.
The conflict erupted last week in the Raya Alamata district, a region claimed by both Tigray and Amhara. Amhara officials have accused Tigray forces of initiating an invasion, a claim that is refuted by former rebels in Tigray.
Although a two-year civil war in Ethiopia came to an end in late 2022 following a peace agreement between the central government and Tigray forces, unresolved issues such as contested territories, disarming ex-combatants, and the reintegration of hundreds of thousands of displaced Tigrayans continue to pose challenges.
Raya Alamata, previously under Tigray control before the outbreak of war in 2020, is now under Amhara occupation. Reports indicate that Tigray forces have made advances in certain areas of the district in response to the recent clashes.
The UN has issued an urgent call for life-saving aid, noting that some families are seeking refuge in open spaces within nearby Amhara districts of Kobo and Sekota.
Meanwhile, the embassies of seven Western nations, including the US and the UK, have jointly expressed concern over the escalating violence. They have called for de-escalation measures and emphasized the importance of disarmament and demobilization. — BBC
