Ethiopia Plans New Tigray Administration as Fighting Returns

Ethiopia’s federal government is preparing to establish a new administrative structure in Tigray and hold a regional election within months, according to Abraham Belay (PhD), former president of Tigray’s interim administration, as fighting returns to the northern region nearly four years after a peace agreement ended a devastating two-year war.

In an exclusive interview with state-affiliated Fana Media Corporation, Abraham said the government would establish new administrations from the local kebele level upwards, with residents participating in the process. The aim, he said, is to create a structure through which Tigray’s population can govern itself and restore stability in the region.

The transition is expected to be completed within a short period, Abraham said, adding that preparations were under way for a regional election within months.

The announcement comes as renewed fighting threatens to unravel the fragile peace established by the 2022 agreement that ended Ethiopia’s two-year civil war. Fighting broke out again in Tigray on September 23 between federal forces and Tigrayan forces, reviving one of the country’s most serious political and security crises.

Abraham said federal forces were working to remove what he described as illegal armed groups from the region.

The renewed conflict has raised fresh concerns over civilian security and the implementation of the 2022 peace agreement, which ended a war that killed large numbers of people and displaced millions.

Abraham called on Ethiopians to support the federal government’s efforts, saying the planned transition would enable Tigray’s population to participate in the country’s development.

Source: FSX Business News