The fragile peace in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region shows alarming signs of unraveling as residents brace for potential renewed hostilities. In Mekele, the regional capital, a palpable tension hangs over daily life despite the absence of active combat. Local tour guide Gebreegziabher Berehe, 37, exemplifies the growing desperation as his livelihood evaporates amid escalating geopolitical tensions. “My colleagues and I now face serious economic and moral crises, even before hearing the sound of any gun,” Berehe lamented, reflecting the psychological toll on civilians who survived the previous devastating conflict.
The November 2022 peace agreement that ended two years of brutal warfare appears increasingly fragile. Tigrayan authorities accuse Ethiopian federal forces of violating the truce with recent drone strikes, while Addis Ababa alleges neighboring Eritrea is mobilizing and financing armed groups within Tigray. This complex web of accusations has created a dangerous standoff with potentially catastrophic humanitarian consequences.
Complicating matters further, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s renewed push for Red Sea access through Eritrean territory has drawn sharp condemnation from Asmara. Eritrean government spokesperson Yemane Gebremeskel dismissed Abiy’s ambitions as “delusional malaise,” prompting Eritrea to unexpectedly warm relations with its former Tigrayan enemies. This shifting alliance landscape has raised alarms in Addis Ababa, prompting call-ups of reserve forces.
The humanitarian situation continues deteriorating with farmers reporting critical shortages of fuel, fertilizer, and transportation. Johannes Tesfay, a chili farmer north of Mekele, summarized the prevailing anxiety: “What can we do? All we can do is pray. We need global community help for reconciliation.”
International bodies including the United Nations, European Union, and United Kingdom have issued urgent calls for restraint. The volatility has already disrupted air travel, with Ethiopian Airlines temporarily suspending flights to Tigray following clashes in disputed border areas. With memories of communication blackouts and travel restrictions fresh in their minds, many residents are actively seeking escape routes before potential renewed conflict traps them indefinitely.