Source: Geeska
The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has informed diplomats and military attachés stationed in Ethiopia about the government’s position on what it described as “Tsimdo,” initiative which officials claim could undermine the country’s sovereignty, Addis Standard reported.
Major General Teshome Gemechu, head of Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense, stated that the initiative was developed by groups opposed to Ethiopia’s national interests in collaboration with external actors. He stressed that the Ethiopian government had undertaken extensive diplomatic outreach to ensure foreign representatives clearly understood Ethiopia’s concerns and the potential consequences of any actions linked to the initiative. “Even if a situation arises tomorrow requiring major action where we may not need to seek anyone’s permission, it is important that our friends and those who work with us understand the premise,” Gemechu said.
In October last year, in a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos accused Eritrea and a “hardline faction” of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of forming a military alliance aimed at initiating conflict against Ethiopia. In the letter addressed to António Guterres, the minister stated that cooperation between Eritrean authorities and the TPLF faction had intensified, alleging that the partnership — referred to as “Tsimdo” — was preparing for an armed campaign targeting Ethiopia.
The letter also claimed that Eritrea and TPLF-linked actors were supporting and coordinating armed groups, including Fano militias associated with Amhara nationalist movements. Gedion further portrayed Eritrea as the principal force behind the alleged operations, accusing Asmara of pursuing long-standing efforts to weaken and destabilize Ethiopia through political, financial, and military backing of anti-government actors. Eritrea denies these allegations
This comes at a moment of significant political and security developments within Ethiopia, particularly as tensions in Tigray continue to escalate. The TPLF and the federal government have increasingly accused each other of violating the Pretoria Peace Agreement signed in 2022.
Earlier this month, the TPLF announced that the Tigray pre-war council had been reinstated and had resumed its official functions after being inactive for three years. Debretsion Gebremichael was elected as president of the Tigray administration, while Kiros Hagos and Mihret Berhe were appointed speaker and deputy speaker, respectively. The TPLF stated that the council’s reactivation was driven by what it described as repeated breaches of the Pretoria Peace Agreement by Ethiopia’s federal authorities. The council also authorized Debretsion to continue overseeing administrative restructuring until the next session convenes.
The development followed Addis Ababa’s decision to extend the mandate of Lt. Gen. Tadesse Worede as interim chief administrator for another year, arguing that the extension was necessary to stabilize the region and support implementation of the Pretoria accord. The TPLF opposed the move, characterizing it as undue federal interference in Tigray’s internal affairs. Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Tadesse rejected demands for his resignation, insisting that leadership transitions should follow legal and institutional procedures rather than political pressure campaigns.
Alongside this looming domestic crisis, Ethiopia’s relations with its neighbors have also been deteriorating. Sudan’s military authorities recently accused Ethiopia of participating in attacks inside Sudan, claiming they possessed evidence linking drone operations to Ethiopian territory. Sudan’s military government stated that several drones launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia carried out strikes across multiple Sudanese regions, including White Nile, Blue Nile, and the Kordofan states. Sudan described the incidents as violations of its sovereignty and international law, characterizing them as acts of direct aggression.
In response, Ethiopia denied the accusations. Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said Addis Ababa had shown restraint despite what it described as security threats emanating from Sudan. The ministry also accused factions involved in Sudan’s conflict of collaborating with fighters from the TPLF and alleged that Sudan’s military had provided them with financial and military assistance. Furthermore, Ethiopian officials claimed that Sudan had become a center for anti-Ethiopian activities.
Moreover, during a recent high-level visit to Eritrea by Egypt’s foreign minister, Cairo reiterated its position that only littoral states should have exclusive responsibility over Red Sea affairs. Ethiopia’s government subsequently accused Egypt of attempting to “encircle” Ethiopia and obstruct its “efforts to gain maritime access” — an issue that has remained a deeply contentious geopolitical dispute in the Horn of Africa.
The latest remarks by Major General Gemechu reinforce earlier accusations Ethiopian officials have made over recent months, at a time when the country’s relations with several neighboring states continue to deteriorate. Addis Ababa has increasingly become entangled in Sudan’s civil war and now faces accusations of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Relations with Eritrea have also worsened since the signing of the Pretoria Agreement, while Egypt has continued to pressure Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and broader regional security arrangements.
