New Ocean on the Horizon: East Africa's Continental Drift Explained

Tensions have escalated in Ethiopia’s Tigray region following a coup that ousted interim leader Getachew Reda, leading him to flee to Addis Ababa. A rival faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), led by Debretsion Gebremichael, has seized control of provincial offices and local media, according to reports by The Guardian. Residents in Tigray are now gripped by uncertainty, with many withdrawing cash and attempting to flee the area. A recent skirmish has left three people dead, further heightening fears of imminent conflict. A resident noted, “Fear and uncertainty prevail,” as many plan to escape to Addis Ababa or neighboring countries. This upheaval coincides with rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which have strained since Ethiopia lost its access to the Red Sea post-Eritrea's secession in 1993. Despite Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s calls for peaceful negotiations regarding access to Eritrean ports, military movements at the border suggest a potential for escalation. Analysts warn that the volatile situation in Tigray could ignite wider conflict between the two nations, as efforts for peace confront ongoing rivalries.

The Tigray region of Ethiopia is on the brink of renewed conflict following a recent coup, as interim leader Getachew Reda fled to the capital, Addis Ababa. The coup was initiated by a rival faction of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), led by Debretsion Gebremichael, which seized control of provincial government offices and key infrastructure in the regional capital, Mekelle. Tensions escalated when Reda attempted to dismiss senior military commanders, leading to a split within the ruling TPLF party. The turmoil reignited fears of a return to violence, reflecting the region's troubled recent history, which saw approximately 600,000 fatalities during the conflict that ended in 2022, according to a British Medical Journal study. Residents report widespread fear, with many withdrawing cash and fleeing towards safer areas. Additionally, strained relations between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea have raised concerns of an interstate conflict, exacerbated by Ethiopia's military mobilization along the border. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue regarding access to the strategic Red Sea port of Assab but warned that without resolution, the situation could escalate further.

The United Nations has issued a grave warning that President Donald Trump's suspension of U.S. overseas funding could result in millions of additional deaths from AIDS. This announcement came during the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the potential consequences of a 90-day freeze on funding through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. "This is dramatic in many countries," Byanyima stated, highlighting that the U.S. is the largest provider of official development assistance worldwide. The suspension, ordered by Trump upon his return to office, has left humanitarian organizations scrambling to mitigate its effects. According to UNAIDS estimates, without necessary funding, additional AIDS-related deaths could increase by tenfold, reaching 6.3 million over five years, while new infections could rise to 8.7 million. Despite some life-saving treatments being exempt from the freeze, frontline workers in Africa report that healthcare facilities are already closing. Byanyima urged for immediate debt restructuring in affected nations to improve their health and education spending, as many are burdened by significant debt.