Ethiopian govt to establish interim Tigray administration

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Friday the creation of an interim government in the northern Tigray region, a territory previously controlled by rebels who have been embroiled in conflict with federal forces. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which initiated a significant offensive against government troops on September 23, has since been repelled and lost control of its strongholds, including the capital Mekelle.

Prior to this, Tigray had been uncontrolled by Addis Ababa and did not take part in the recent federal elections, which were won decisively by Abiy’s Prosperity Party. The interim administration, aimed at establishing a stable political environment for free and transparent elections, will govern Tigray for six months, according to Abiy’s office, following a cabinet decision.

The TPLF leadership, however, has been unwilling to negotiate peace and instead declared the conflict a "devastating war." The region has a history of conflict with federal forces, most notably a 2020-22 war that claimed an estimated 600,000 lives. A 2022 peace deal was signed, but lingering discontent over the terms persists among Tigrayans.

The interim government also announced the appointment of five officials, including Mekelle’s mayor. Kjetil Tronvoll, a regional specialist at Oslo New University College, questioned the feasibility of the six-month timeline, particularly regarding party participation in elections and the establishment of a local branch of Abiy’s Prosperity Party in the region.

In September, the TPLF formed an uneasy alliance with several other armed groups opposing the government, and has grown closer ties with neighboring Eritrea, which has been at odds with Ethiopia. Addis Ababa accuses Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, alleging that thousands of Eritrean troops have been deployed to the Tigray region. In response, Eritrea claims that Ethiopia is planning to invade its territory and seize control of Assab port on the Red Sea.