An Ethiopian official has promised significant changes in the northern Tigray region following the recapture of its regional capital, Mekelle, by government-allied forces amid renewed fighting that threatens the fragile peace agreement between Ethiopia and Tigray’s former ruling party.
Getachew Reda, a former Tigray regional leader who now advises Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, made the promise on Sunday, October 11, 2026, while addressing supporters who welcomed him and intelligence chief Redwan Hussein at Mekelle airport.
Reda pledged to deliver “visible change” in the region but did not provide specific details about the proposed changes or explain how they would be implemented.
Government-Allied Forces Regain Control of Mekelle
The development follows renewed clashes between Ethiopian government-allied forces and opposition groups led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
TPLF-led forces seized Mekelle’s airport on September 23 before withdrawing on October 3, when government-allied fighters entered the city. The withdrawal marked a significant shift in control of the regional capital after a fresh escalation in the conflict.
Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to Mekelle on Sunday, restoring air connections after services were disrupted by the fighting and the seizure of the airport.
However, the return of government-allied forces has not resolved the wider political and security crisis. Renewed hostilities have raised concerns about the future of the 2022 peace agreement, which ended a devastating two-year war in Tigray.
Renewed Conflict Raises Fears of Wider War
The earlier conflict, fought between 2020 and 2022, caused an estimated 500,000 civilian deaths from violence, famine and the collapse of essential health services, according to researchers at Belgium’s Ghent University.
The latest fighting has also intensified concerns about regional stability, particularly amid growing tensions between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of sending troops across the border and occupying parts of northern Ethiopian territory. Eritrea has rejected Ethiopia’s accusations of aggression and criticised its neighbour’s statements. Independent verification of the alleged troop movements remains limited.
The TPLF has also joined six other opposition groups in an alliance seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from power, adding another dimension to Ethiopia’s political and security challenges.
United Nations Calls for Dialogue
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the parties to end hostilities and return to dialogue, warning that continued fighting could destabilise the wider Horn of Africa region.
Although the promise of change offers a potential new direction for Tigray, the immediate priorities remain security, political reconciliation and preventing another devastating conflict.
Swifteradio.com
