Ethiopia's Abiy announces six-month interim administration for Tigray ahead of elections

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday announced an interim administration for the northern Tigray region. It is set to run the region for six months, with the stated aim of preparing for elections. France 24, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported the announcement.

The government's statement said the interim administration is meant to create "a stable political situation" so that free elections can be held. According to France 24, Abiy's office announced the decision on social media after a cabinet decision.

According to Al Jazeera, the government has appointed five officials to run the region, including the mayor of the capital, Mekelle. Al Jazeera reported that the officials will carry out directives and instructions from the federal government. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not name the other officials or the head of the administration. They also do not give an election date.

Recent fighting

The announcement follows fighting between federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF was allied with several other armed groups opposed to the government. It launched an offensive in September. France 24 reported that the offensive began on 23 September. TPLF forces were pushed back and lost control of Tigray's major cities, including the regional capital.

Al Jazeera reported that the offensive aimed to topple the Abiy government. According to Al Jazeera, TPLF fighters made early gains in the Afar region and later surrendered in Mekelle in early October. The reports do not include independent verification of these battlefield accounts. They also do not include casualty figures for the fighting since September.

Background

A 2020-2022 war between federal forces, then backed by Eritrean troops, and the TPLF left an estimated 600,000 people dead. A 2022 peace deal ended that war. According to Al Jazeera, key promises of the deal were not kept, including the return of displaced people and the disarmament of the TPLF. France 24 reported lingering discontent over the deal's terms. Al Jazeera reported that the TPLF announced in April that it was retaking control of the region. Al Jazeera described this as effectively ending the peace deal.

Tigray did not take part in Ethiopia's most recent national elections. According to France 24, those elections were held in June and were won by Abiy's Prosperity Party. Al Jazeera reported that the TPLF governed Ethiopia for nearly 30 years until 2018.

What is disputed

The role of Eritrea is contested. According to Al Jazeera, the Ethiopian government accuses Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, and Eritrea denies this. Each country has accused the other of inciting war. France 24 reported that the TPLF has moved closer to Eritrea. Al Jazeera reported that Eritrean troops who had entered Tigray withdrew after heavy Ethiopian drone strikes.

What each side says

France 24 quoted the prime minister's office as saying the TPLF leadership "did not desire peace" and started the latest "devastating war". The statement added that the people of Tigray "must break free from the cycle of conflict".

According to Al Jazeera, the TPLF had not responded to the announcement at the time of its report.

Al Jazeera reported that on Wednesday, the United States urged both sides to "de-escalate" during a phone call between Abiy and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Analysis

The interim administration places Tigray under federally appointed officials for a defined period. Its outcome is likely to depend on details the reports do not yet include: an election date, how a vote would be organised and monitored, and what happens if elections cannot be held within six months. The TPLF's response, still absent from the reports reviewed, could shape whether the arrangement is accepted or contested. Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea add a regional dimension. Possible scenarios range from a managed transition to renewed instability. The 2022 peace deal's unkept promises, which Al Jazeera said included the return of displaced people and TPLF disarmament, may also bear on the transition.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.