Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – General Gu’ush Gebre (Fenqel), commander of Tigray’s Army 15, which operates near the Ethio-Eritrean border, has rebelled against the TPLF and issued a statement of opposition.
In a statement issued today, Army 15 led by General Gu’ush Gebre (Fenqel) alleged that Tigray has been embroiled in conflicts due to the TPLF. This allegation follows its ‘recent evaluation’ regarding the current situation of Tigray and the alleged TPLF.
Army 15 is said to have stationed in the Adigrat area near the Eritrean border where it is said to have closely monitored the relationship between TPLF and Eritrea, particularly of following the opening of the Ethio-Eritrean border with the approval of the TPLF and the Eritrean government.
In what is described as a change of stance, the senior leaders of Army 15 have criticized the relationship between the TPLF and Eritrea.
The Army 15 leaders stated that they believe the relationship initiated by the TPLF, led by Debretsion Gebremichael, with Eritrea is illegal. They expressed that the relationship between the TPLF and Eritrea brings no benefit to Tigray and urged this ‘unhealthy’ relationship to stop without any preconditions.
In their statement, they indicated that they do not support any actions that could lead Tigray into another war.
The leaders of Army 15 also expressed their opposition to the approach of the Tigray Interim Administration under General Tadesse Worede.
The statement further expressed grave concern and stated their oppositon regarding the Tigray Interim Administration led by Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, specifically to his recent move to make administrative changes in the South Tigray and Southeastern Tigray zones.
It is recalled that General Tadesse Worede recently reshuffled leadership in the two zones and deployed forces to implement the administrative changes. This led to conflict in various parts of Raya, and to de-escalate the tension, the officials who had been removed were returned to their positions.
In the statement, Army 15 accused Tadesse Worede of dividing Tigray’s territories without reclaiming them. They further accused him and his administration of creating instability and deep division in the Tigray and called his administration of choosing a “divisive” path
They further alleged that they asked the Interim Administration to take corrective measures and to revise its approach of reclaiming the Tigray territories in accordance with the Pretoria Agreement. They also noted that trust and collaboration with the federal government is the only option to reclaim the disputed areas that are considered Tigray’s territory
Following the statement of opposition from the Army 15 leaders, it has been reported that tension has risen in and around Adigrat. It is also being suggested that General Gu’ush and his colleagues could be arrested for separating themselves from the majority of military leaders who have given their allegiance to the TPLF and instead voicing their opposition.