The Tigray Conflict
GEORG LENNKH IN CONVERSATION WITH BELACHEW GEBREWOLD AND GERALD HAINZL
The Tigray Conflict
A powder keg for the African Horn
A war characterised by atrocities is raging in the Ethiopian region of Tigray, with the civilian population bearing the brunt. In response to international pressure, Addis Ababa has offered concessions on access to aid and promised to withdraw Eritrean troops. However, the prospects of a negotiated solution appear bleak. Deep-rooted Tigrayan resistance, combined with the determination of the Ethiopian and Eritrean authorities to keep Tigray's fugitive leaders out of power, means the conflict could develop into a protracted war. This would further devastate Tigray and severely damage Ethiopia, the lynchpin of the Horn of Africa. With a decisive victory for either side a long way off, the parties could consider a cessation of hostilities that would at least allow for an extended humanitarian response. This practical first step would reduce the suffering of the civilian population and ideally pave the way for a later return to dialogue. Georg Lennkh discusses the background to the conflict and the prospects of an early solution with political scientist Belachew Gebrewold and Africa expert Margit Maximilian.
Belachew Gebrewold, is an Ethiopian-Austrian political scientist and migration researcher. He is a professor at the University of Applied Sciences Management Centre Innsbruck and teaches at the University of Innsbruck.
Gerald Hainzl, Researcher at the Institute for Peacekeeping and Conflict Management at the National Defence Academy
Georg Lennkh, former Austrian Special Envoy of the Austrian Federal Government for Africa