Fresh unrest is brewing in Ethiopia’s north. On Wednesday, officials from the Afar region accused forces from neighboring Tigray of launching attacks, seizing six villages, and shelling civilian areas with heavy artillery.
The alleged assault on Megale district marks a troubling escalation in a country still reeling from the 2020–2022 civil war, which claimed an estimated 600,000 lives. The Afar administration warned it would take defensive action if the attacks persist.
A History of Conflict
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), once dominant in Ethiopian politics, has had strained relations with the central government since being sidelined in 2018. Though the war officially ended, tensions remain high. In May, the TPLF was banned from political activity, and last month, the federal government accused it of forging military ties with Eritrea and preparing for renewed conflict.
Budget Cuts and Displacement
The federal finance ministry recently halted a 2 billion birr ($13.1 million) disbursement to Tigray, citing concerns that funds were being diverted for military use. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told parliament that this misallocation is deepening the suffering of ordinary citizens. Today, the region remains financially strained, with nearly one million people still displaced.
As Ethiopia struggles to rebuild, the latest flare-up underscores the fragility of its internal peace and the urgent need for dialogue and reconciliation.
Source: The Africa Report