Ethiopia PM names interim Tigray government, eyes polls in six months

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has appointed an interim administration in the northern Tigray region to restore stability and pave the way for elections within six months, following renewed fighting between federal forces and a rebel alliance.

The move comes after the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) launched an offensive against government forces last month, reigniting a conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives between 2020 and 2022.

The latest hostilities have further strained relations between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea. Addis Ababa has accused Asmara of supporting the rebels, allegations Eritrea denies.

The TPLF, which dominated Ethiopian politics for decades before Abiy took office in 2018, has suffered significant territorial losses. Federal troops have reportedly captured large parts of Tigray, including the regional capital, Mekelle.

Interim administration tasked with restoring stability

According to Abiy's office, the caretaker administration will serve for six months, focusing on restoring peace, rebuilding institutions and creating conditions for free and transparent elections.

The prime minister urged Tigray residents to move beyond years of conflict and embrace lasting peace and development.

"To attain the peace that has long eluded them, to secure their right to self-administration, and to finally enjoy the fruits of development, which have been out of reach for many years the people of Tigray must break free from this cycle of conflict," Abiy said in a statement posted on X.

The administration will also oversee the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and facilitate the return of people displaced by the fighting.

The TPLF has not immediately commented on the appointment.

Humanitarian challenges persist

Tigray continues to grapple with the devastating humanitarian consequences of the 2020–2022 war, which displaced millions and pushed hundreds of thousands towards famine.

According to the United Nations refugee agency, approximately 750,000 people remained internally displaced in the region as of February.

The humanitarian situation has been further complicated by drought conditions linked to El Niño, threatening livelihoods and food security.

The renewed fighting raises concerns about the region's fragile recovery, with the success of the interim administration likely to depend on restoring security, facilitating humanitarian assistance and creating an environment conducive to credible elections.

(With input from the wires)