Ethiopia appoints interim government in Tigray ahead of elections

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:20 · Archive

Ethiopia has announced an interim administration will govern the northern Tigray region for six months before holding elections.

Ethiopia has announced that an interim government will take control of Tigray, the northern region that was previously governed by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Friday that the interim administration would serve for six months before free elections are held. Five officials have been appointed to run the state, including the mayor of the regional capital, Mekelle, and will carry out directives from the federal government.

The appointment follows the Ethiopian military's successful campaign against the TPLF, which launched an uprising in September after the party announced in April that it was retaking control of Tigray. This effectively ended a peace deal between the TPLF and Ethiopia's federal government. After some early gains, the TPLF fighters were defeated and lost Tigray's major cities, surrendering in Mekelle in early October.

Tigray had been outside federal government control and did not participate in June federal elections, which were won by Abiy's Prosperity Party. The region was the site of a devastating conflict between 2020 and 2022 that killed an estimated 600,000 people. The TPLF had governed Ethiopia for nearly 30 years before Abiy's party came to power in 2018. The TPLF has not yet responded to the interim government announcement.

How it is being reported

• Ethiopia announces instalment of interim government in TigrayAfter military pushed back TPLF uprising, PM Abiy Ahmed promises free elections within six months.Al Jazeera · 16 Oct, 14:54
• Ethiopia announces interim government in Tigray, aims for polls in six monthsEthiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday announced the appointment of an interim administration to prepare elections in the northern Tigray region previously controlled by the Tigray People's Liberation Front that has clashed with government forces since September. The recent conflict revived a war that killed hundreds of thousands between 2020 and 2022.France 24 · 16 Oct, 14:05

In this story: Ethiopia · Tigray · Tigray People's Liberation Front · Abiy Ahmed · Mekelle · Prosperity Party · Eritrea · Afar

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