Ethiopia-Eritrea Disputes Complicate Tigray Peace Agreement

The end of the major conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray regional forces in November 2022, formalized through the Pretoria Agreement, marked a significant turning point for regional peace. This agreement stipulated the disarmament of Tigrayan forces and mandated the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Tigray region, alongside reaffirming a commitment to restore constitutional norms and settle territorial disputes according to the Ethiopian Constitution. However, current tensions with Eritrea over control of Red Sea ports are now complicating these peace efforts. Observers warn that the deteriorating relations could turn the hard-won peace agreement into a political tool for vested interests. The regional dynamics between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which have historical rivalries and conflicts, could undermine the fragile peace in Tigray by creating external pressures. The situation is precarious as the Ethiopian government navigates these pressures while attempting to implement the terms of the Pretoria Agreement. Continued dispute over the Red Sea access could see Eritrean influence agitate for different engagements from within Ethiopia, which might disrupt the efforts to settle the longstanding issues within Tigray and further destabilize the region. The peace deal, initially seen as a beacon of hope, is now at risk of being manipulated for political ends, raising concerns among various stakeholders about the sustainability of peace in Tigray. Thus, both the domestic political environment and the external geopolitical pressures need to be carefully managed to foster a lasting resolution that upholds the principles laid out in the agreement and ensures stability across the Horn of Africa.