CONFLICT BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND TIGRAY PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT IN TIGRAY IN 2020
Yayan A Tampubolon (07041282227099)
I. Introduction
      In a country, conflict is an event that often occurs. This conflict arises because of differences in interests, ideas, and policies between people, groups, and the government. In a country it is almost impossible to have no conflict.
 This is because in each country there are various groups with various differences ranging from physicality, customs, knowledge, and also thinking (Aflah, 2023). One of the countries that is currently experiencing conflict is Ethiopia.
      The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia or known as Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries and the only country that has never been colonized in the African region. The Ethiopian region generally consists of a vast land mass of mountains and plateaus divided by the Great Rift Valley or a large rift valley that stretches from Syria to the east and from north to south of Ethiopia (Lumintosari, 2021).Â
The country also has 9 states, including Afar, Tigray, Orokia, Somali, Gambela, Banshangul/Gumuz, Harari, Dire Dawa, and Addis Ababa with various different tribes and cultures (Wijayanti & Aini, 2023). As well as directly bordering other countries including Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Kenya (Widiastuti, 2022).
      In addition, Ethiopia is also one of the countries in Africa for refugees. This is supported by an open-door policy and access to humanitarian aid for asylum seekers in Ethiopia. However, in 2020 this was reversed where many Ethiopians fled to other countries due to the civil war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front in Tigray due to the political transition of the government.Â
Ethiopia adopts a Parliamentary system of government where the highest power of Ethiopia lies in the hands of the Prime Minister who is elected and approved by the Ethiopian Parliament. Then, Ethiopia also adopted a federal system of government based on ethnicity where each state has special autonomy to manage and control itself (Widiastuti, 2022).
      This political transition occurred after Abiy Ahmed was appointed Prime Minister in April 2018 which made changes to the political world in Ethiopia. The TPLF party, which previously dominated the Ethiopian government, had a major role in the formation of the government and succeeded in overthrowing the military regime. With the party's dominance in Ethiopian politics, it is considered an obstacle to democracy and the root of the problem by the people of Ethiopia.
 So, in response to this, Abiy stated that he would carry out political reforms, unity, and reconciliation, which were welcomed by the Ethiopian people. However, the TPLF tried to be able to oppose the Abiy government.
