Understanding Ethiopia's Tigray War

The war in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray began in November 2020 and has been among the least understood conflicts in the world. It has resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths, more than the number who died in the 1984-5 famine. The conflict was orchestrated by senior advisers to Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, and Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki, and drew in Somali troops as well as Eritrean forces. Peace agreements signed in November 2022 ended the worst of the violence, but without resolving the war's underlying drivers. This book provides the first clear explanation of the factors that led to the conflict, unravelling their roots in Ethiopia's long and complex history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The war in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray began in November 2020 and has since inflicted more casualties than any other contemporary conflict in the world. Despite its magnitude, the war has been among the least understood, with international journalists banned and the region sealed off from the outside world. The conflict was orchestrated by senior advisers to Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, who referred to Tigrayans as "weeds" who must be uprooted and their place in history extinguished. The war drew in Somali troops as well as Eritrean forces and was characterized by brutal violence, including sexual abuse of women.

Peace agreements signed in November 2022 ended the worst of the violence, but without resolving the war's underlying drivers, which continue to feed a tense and uncertain situation. This book provides the first clear explanation of the factors that led to the conflict, unravelling their roots in Ethiopia's long and complex history. It describes the battles that were fought at such terrible cost and the immense suffering, particularly of women, who were brutally abused.

The war in Tigray has had far-reaching consequences, not only for the region but for the broader African continent. The conflict has highlighted the fragility of peace agreements and the need for sustainable solutions to conflicts. It has also raised concerns about the role of regional actors, such as Eritrea, in fueling conflicts and the need for international intervention to prevent further escalation.

The war in Tigray has also had a devastating impact on the local population. Millions of people have been displaced, and the region's infrastructure has been destroyed. The conflict has exacerbated food insecurity and health crises, and women and children have been particularly vulnerable to violence and abuse.

Despite the challenges, there are signs of hope for peace in Tigray. The Ethiopian government has made efforts to reach out to Tigrayan leaders and to address the underlying issues that led to the conflict. International organizations, such as the United Nations and the African Union, have also played a role in mediating the peace process.

In conclusion, the war in Tigray has been a tragic and complex conflict that has inflicted immense suffering on the local population. While peace agreements have ended the worst of the violence, the war's underlying drivers continue to feed a tense and uncertain situation. This book provides a valuable contribution to understanding the conflict and its consequences, and it highlights the need for sustainable solutions to conflicts and international intervention to prevent further escalation.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787388116