Tigray-Amhara Tensions Escalate Over Territorial Disputes

Violent clashes erupted earlier this week in Raya Alamata, located in the South Tigray Zone currently under the control of Amhara forces, sparking accusations and escalating tensions between the two parties involved.

The Amhara regional administration released a statement criticizing the Tigray interim administration’s response to the alleged incorporation of Tigray lands into Amhara’s educational curriculum and maps. The Amhara administration labeled the Tigray interim administration’s actions as “aggressive” and accused them of making threats and inciting violence.

In a rebuttal, the Tigray interim administration expressed concerns over the Amhara regional government’s attempts to claim Tigray lands as their own, labeling these actions as “irresponsible.” They accused the Amhara region of attempting to dismantle Tigray and urged them to correct their actions immediately.

The Amhara regional administration defended its actions, stating that areas like Wolkait and Raya have longstanding questions of identity and self-governance. They alleged that the former Tigray regional government responded to demands for self-governance with arrests and violence, rather than following proper legal procedures.

The conflict escalated further when Tigray forces initiated an assault in Raya Alamata, leading to clashes in the region. The Tigray interim administration refuted claims of aggression by the TPLF and accused the Amhara forces of encroaching upon Tigray’s territory.

The recent strife in South Tigray is not an isolated incident, as clashes between Amhara and Tigray forces have been ongoing since mid-February 2024. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) reported clashes between the two forces in various districts, with the conflict persisting despite interventions by the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF).

The resurgence of conflict poses a threat to the peace established under the Pretoria agreement, as highlighted in the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The unresolved territorial issues between the two regional states could potentially lead to a resumption of conflict, despite efforts to address the situation by the federal government.

The rising tensions between the Amhara and Tigray regions underscore the fragility of the peace agreement and the need for immediate intervention to prevent further escalation of violence.