Addis Ababa – As Ethiopia struggles to recover from the devastating Tigray war, a western-backed pro-TPLF group known as Sahan is advocating for a new policy that would distance Ethiopia from its former allies during the two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia.
Sources indicated that, the group is pressing for Ethiopia to adopt a more independent foreign policy and to develop partnerships with countries that have a history of supporting the TPLF, a reference usually interpreted to mean the West.
Representatives from the Nairobi-based western-backed group accused of disseminating malicious propaganda and misinformation in support of the TPLF during the war have visited Addis Ababa this week and held talks with senior officials.
The visit has shocked many and unnerved Ethiopia’s allies in the region and beyond.
During the talks, the group argued that Ethiopia’s previous alignment with countries such as Eritrea and Somalia was a mistake and contributed to the violence and human rights abuses that occurred in Tigray.
Despite this, Sahan representatives reportedly charmed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during their visit, leading many to accuse the Prime Minister of falling into a trap set by the west, which could have dire consequences for Ethiopia.
Many people have been surprised by Ethiopia’s potential shift in stance toward Sahan, given the damage the group caused during the Tigray conflict. During the conflict, Western countries also backed the TPLF rebel group.
According to sources, upon return from Ethiopia, the group’s officials have boasted that they have managed to create a rift between the Ethiopian military and intelligence, NISS officials in an attempt to exploit this divide to undermine Ethiopia and the wider region. The move by Sahan has raised concerns among Ethiopian authorities, who fear that the group may be attempting to destabilize the country.
The Tigray conflict, which began in November 2020, has claimed the lives of thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
The conflict erupted when the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) defied the central government by holding regional elections, which were deemed illegal.
The Ethiopian government responded by sending in military forces to quell the rebellion.
Sahan Research is controlled by Matt Bryden, a former UN official. During his reign as the head of the UN monitoring Group, Bryden has aided TPLF in gathering false evidence against Eritrea, leading to the UN sanctions on the country.
Meanwhile, the group’s calls for a change in foreign policy have been met with resistance from some quarters.
Critics argue that Ethiopia’s alliances with Eritrea and the Somalia were necessary for the country’s security and stability, and that a shift in policy could lead to further instability in the region. The Ethiopian government has yet to comment on Sahan’s alleged activities.
Since prime minister Abiy Ahmed came to power on 2018, Ethiopia has maintained strong ties with its neighboring countries, including Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia.
These relationships have been crucial to the economic development of the country, as well as maintaining regional peace and stability.
However, officials say that Sahan group suggested that these ties should be severed in favor of Western countries, which they see as more sympathetic to the TPLF cause.
Observers are warning that Ethiopia needs to be cautious in its dealings with groups like Sahan, given the potential for harm to the country. It is essential that Ethiopia’s leaders remain vigilant and do not allow themselves to be taken in by groups with ulterior motives.
The TPLF ruled Ethiopia for nearly three decades before being ousted by Abiy Ahmed’s government in 2018.
The conflict has strained Ethiopia’s relations with key allies, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on several Ethiopian officials.
Despite having lost the war which led to its disarmament and a peace deal with the government, Ethiopian intelligence officials believe that the group is still seeking to regain power through interest group such as Sahan as part of a covert western-backed plot to enable the group retain the power.
Sahan Research, which describes itself as an independent research and policy institute, has been advocating for military intervention in ending the conflict and restoring peace in Ethiopia.
The think tank, accused of promoting TPLF’s agenda in Ethiopia and the wider region has also been critical of Abiy Ahmed’s government, accusing it of human rights abuses and authoritarianism.
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