Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has appointed a temporary administration for the conflict-hit Tigray region, setting a six-month deadline to organize elections as renewed fighting raises concerns about stability in the Horn of Africa.
Abiy’s office said the caretaker government would work to restore political stability and establish conditions for free and transparent polls within six months.
The move follows a fresh outbreak of fighting between federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which launched an offensive against Abiy’s government last month.
The latest clashes have revived a conflict that killed hundreds of thousands of people between 2020 and 2022, leaving Tigray with widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis.
Ethiopian troops, supported by a pro-government militia, have made significant gains since the latest fighting began, taking control of large areas of the region, including its capital, Mekelle.
The TPLF governed Tigray and wielded considerable influence over Ethiopian national politics for decades before Abiy came to power in 2018.
In announcing the caretaker administration, Abiy said its priorities would include ending the cycle of violence, restoring regional self-administration and helping residents benefit from development after years of conflict.
The temporary government is also expected to repair damaged infrastructure and facilitate the return of people displaced by the fighting.
The TPLF had not immediately commented on the appointment.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
Tigray is still struggling to recover from the devastating effects of the 2020-2022 war, which disrupted livelihoods, damaged essential infrastructure and pushed hundreds of thousands of people towards famine.
Data from the United Nations refugee agency showed that about 750,000 people in the region remained internally displaced as of February.
The humanitarian situation is further threatened by drought associated with El Niño, adding pressure on communities already affected by insecurity and shortages.
The renewed fighting has also worsened relations between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea. Addis Ababa has accused Asmara of supporting the TPLF-led rebels, an allegation the Eritrean government denies.
Ethiopia has also accused Egypt and Sudan of backing the rebel alliance. Both countries have rejected the allegations.
The tensions come amid broader competition for influence in the Horn of Africa, a region already facing political instability and security challenges.
There are growing concerns that the conflict could spread beyond Ethiopia’s borders, further destabilising the region.
Whether the caretaker administration can create conditions for elections within the six-month deadline will depend on the security situation, political cooperation and the ability of authorities to address Tigray’s continuing humanitarian and reconstruction needs.
