Ethiopia Conflict: A Convenient Resurgence
📰 THE STORY: Al Jazeera reports renewed clashes between government forces and Tigrayan rebels in Ethiopia, citing anonymous security and diplomatic sources about a 'deteriorating' situation and suspended flights. The article focuses on the immediate resumption of hostilities after a peace deal, without much context on the underlying drivers. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context:
The 2020-2022 Tigray War was not a simple internal dispute. It erupted following a breakdown of relations between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government, complicated by years of regional power struggles and ethno-nationalist tensions. The TPLF, while a regional party, dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades after overthrowing the Derg
regime in 1991, maintaining significant control over the military and economy. The conflict saw allegations of severe human rights abuses by all sides, including Eritrean forces who fought alongside Ethiopian troops. The initial peace deal in November 2022, brokered by the African Union, aimed to end a conflict that killed hundreds of thousands, displacing millions. The media rarely delves into
the long-standing Western support, particularly from the US, for the TPLF during its long reign, which provided it with significant institutional power and influence. Double Standard: The narrative often frames the Ethiopian government as the instigator, while glossing over the TPLF's own history as a dominant, sometimes authoritarian, force. Compare this to how Western-backed 'rebel' groups in