Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - As ethnic contradictions intensify and separatist sentiments in various regions of Ethiopia increase, the risks of a new civil war in this African country increase.

The prerequisites for such a development of events are the resumed on 5 November 2020 armed clashes between the central authorities and the northern state of Tigray, where the People’s Liberation Front (PPLF) separatist group has been operating for many years.

It was this movement’s attempt to take control of the Ethiopian Armed Forces base in Tigray that forced the government to use forceful methods of pressure. Ethiopian authorities have also declared a state of emergency in the region for a period of 6 months, where they have already cut off the Internet and telephone communications.

In response, the regional authorities declared their readiness to oppose the movement of Ethiopian troops in Tigray and warned of “proportionate measures” in the event of any damage to the population, military and civilian objects.

Commenting on the situation, experts explain the resumption of hostilities by the following factors.

First, the state of Tigray, which has autonomous status, is trying to achieve its independence. For these purposes, in September of this year. In the region, elections to the State Council were held, which were not coordinated with the country’s government. The representatives of the NFOT won them. However, the Ethiopian authorities refused to cooperate with the new body and froze budget allocations for the "rebellious" region. It was these disputes that led to a direct military confrontation.

Secondly, representatives of the NFOT and the indigenous population of the region - the Tygrais - have actually ruled Ethiopia over the past 30 years, and Ahmed’s rise to power in 2018 led to their expulsion from the power structures. The group reacted with indignation to the adopted in August of this year. A.Ahmed the decision to postpone parliamentary elections for an indefinite period, which allowed the Prime Minister of the country to stay in power.

On the whole, the “new outbreak of violence” in Ethiopia is regarded by most experts as the result of a toughening of the struggle for power between various political clans, which are guided by the interests of individual ethnic groups in the multinational African country.