General information
Part of Conflict: Ethiopia: Eritrea
Date of first stated goals of incompatibility: 1970-12-31
Comment on date of first stated goal of incompatibility: EPLF was formed in 1970 by a split in the Eritrean secessionist group ELF. One of the reasons commonly cited for the formation of the new group was that sections of ELF had been provoced by its Islamic traditionalism.
While EPLF attracted more of the young radical intellectuals and Christian highlanders, its goals remained the same as ELFs: the independence of Eritrea.
Date of first use of armed force: 1973-09-01
Comment on date of first use of armed force: During EPLFs first few years most of its military activities were directed against ELF, the group from which it had split in 1970. However, by September 1973 there are credible reports indicating that clashes took place between EPLF and the Ethiopian forces.
First Battle Related Death: 1973-09-01
Comment on First Battle Related Death: During EPLFs first few years most of its military activities were directed against ELF, the group from which it had split in 1970. However, by September 1973 there are credible reports indicating that clashes took place between EPLF and the Ethiopian forces. During the month the rebels launched some ssuccesful attacks, killing more than 25 Ethiopian soldiers.
Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1973-09-30
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: During EPLFs first few years most of its military activities were directed against ELF, the group from which it had split in 1970. However, by September 1973 there are credible reports indicating that clashes took place between EPLF and the Ethiopian forces. During the month the rebels launched some ssuccesful attacks, killing more than 25 Ethiopian soldiers.
Conflict issues
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1976
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1977
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): Government of South Yemen
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1978
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): Government of South Yemen
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1979
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1980
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1981
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1982
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1983
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1984
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1985
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1986
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1987
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1988
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1989
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5930 |
| Best | 5930 |
| Low | 5930 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1990
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 30633 |
| Best | 30633 |
| Low | 30633 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
1991
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 6907 |
| Best | 6907 |
| Low | 6904 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
2002
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Ethiopia): n/a
Side B (EPLF): n/a
Dyad Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1976 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1977 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1978 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1979 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1980 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1981 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1982 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1983 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1984 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1985 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1986 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1987 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1988 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1989 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: The first preliminary peace talks for a longer period between the government and the EPLF were held on 7-19 September 1989 in Atlanta, Georgia, and were headed by former US President Jimmy Carter. Earlier the same year Carter had mediated between the two parties, trying to bring the peace talks about. The main problem had been that the government refused to even discuss independence for Eritrea and the EPLF then had no interest in negotiations. However, EPLF had adopted a de facto ceasefire throughout the whole year that was unilaterally declared on 18 May following the coup attempt against Mengistu. Accordingly, EPLF had also halted its joint operations with the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front and the Afar Liberation Front. The talks in Atlanta focused mainly on procedural issues and on deciding for mediators or observers for the continuing talks. A set of procedural accords was signed. The talks resumed in Nairobi on 20 November 1989, again led by Carter, and the two sides decided to hold formal negotiations in early 1990.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1990 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: The ceasefire declared by the EPLF last May was ended in March when the rebels started their successful battle for the port of Massawa. According to the rebels this was provoked by the government’s refusal to agree to a number of goodwill measures concerning political rights of people living in areas occupied by the government demanded by EPLF. The only communication between the government and EPLF was about opening the rebel-held port of Massawa for letting food supplies in. The UN World Food Program reached this agreement through separate negotiations with the two parties. Apparently the two parties also met in Washington in October with the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, but no information about what was discussed can be found.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1991 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: During the year the rebel groups, including EPLF, made great gains in Ethiopia, advancing towards the capital and thus putting pressure on the government. On 22 April the Ethiopian parliament (Shengo) produced a peace package calling for a dialogue with all opposition parties and unity forces at a joint negotiating forum with the aim of creating transitional arrangements, giving legal guarantees for opposition parties to take part in political life and declaring a ceasefire. EPLF rejected this peace plan, keeping to its demands of independence.
A date for negotiations was settled but on 21 May President Mengistu resigned and left the country after pressure from advancing rebels, less than a week before scheduled negotiations were to begin in London. General Tesfaye Gebre-Kidan took over the administration and the government called for an immediate ceasefire with rebel groups. However, the insurgents vowed to continued fighting and would do so until the system changed. By this time EPLF had already defeated the government troops in Eritrea and has thus taken a de facto control over its whole territory. On 26 May the EPRDF (Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front) surrounded the capital and seized the main military bases, and the following day the rebels declared a ceasefire.
On 27 May the US-led negotiations were opened in London, where EPLF was represented by Issayas Afeworki. Simultaneously in Addis Ababa the EPRDF entered the capital and took over the control of the country with the support of the US, and almost all governmental soldiers gave up and fled the city. After only one and a half days of negotiations the parties had agreed to let the EPRDF set up a transitional government and arrange democratic elections within a year. Prime minister Tesfaye boycotted the talks on the second day since the rebels had taken the capital. On 29 May EPLF announced that an Eritrean interim government would be set up, in order to secure its future independence or self rule.
Victory: YES
Victorious side: B
Comment on Victory: The termination of the conflict between the government and EPLF was of a very special kind since EPLF took de facto control over the whole territory of Eritrea but never actually defeated the government completely on its own. The conflict will nevertheless be best described as terminated by a victory for EPLF. When the other rebel movement, EPRDF (Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front), entered Addis Ababa and overtook the power from the former government EPLF was also in control over its own territory and had thus won what they fought for. Furthermore, TPLF (leading party within EPRDF) and EPLF had previously made an agreement that Eritrea would be allowed to hold a referendum about independence when the Mengistu-government had been overthrown, and the incompatibility thus ceased to exist the day EPRDF gained control over the country.
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Victory
Date of termination: 1991-05-28
Comment on Termination: The termination of the conflict between the government and EPLF was of a very special kind since EPLF took de facto control over the whole territory of Eritrea but never actually defeated the government completely on its own. The conflict will nevertheless be best described as terminated by a victory for EPLF. When the other rebel movement, EPRDF (Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front), entered Addis Ababa and overtook the power from the former government EPLF was also in control over its own territory and had thus won what they fought for. Furthermore, TPLF (leading party within EPRDF) and EPLF had previously made an agreement that Eritrea would be allowed to hold a referendum about independence when the Mengistu-government had been overthrown, and the incompatibility thus ceased to exist the day EPRDF gained control over the country.
2002 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
