Tigray on Edge as Rival Factions Clash Amid War Fears

Scientists have discovered that tectonic plates in northeast Africa are gradually pulling apart, a movement that could potentially form a sixth ocean within the next one to 20 million years. Currently, the region encompassing Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea is shifting at a rate of approximately 0.3 inches (about 0.76 cm) annually, according to research published by the London Geographical Society. The East African Rift System, known for its active tectonic activity, shows signs of significant geological changes as magma shifts beneath the Earth's surface. Notably, the emergence of a large fissure in Ethiopia in 2005 alerted researchers to the accelerated movement of these plates. Should the separation continue, it is predicted that the rift valley will eventually sink, allowing water from the Indian Ocean to flood into the resulting basin, thus creating new coastlines and altering climate patterns in the region. Geological experts suggest that similar processes previously led to the formation of the Saudi Arabian peninsula, highlighting the potential for dramatic geographical transformations over time.

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.