Passenger flights between Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, and the northern Tigray region have been canceled due to increasing fears of conflict. Ethiopian Airlines notified passengers by text, attributing the cancellations to unplanned circumstances. No further comments have been made by the airline or the government regarding the situation.
Reports from Mekelle, Tigray's main city, confirmed the cancellations, as local airport staff were instructed not to report to work. The deteriorating situation follows a peace agreement from 2022 aimed at ending a brutal civil war, which has begun to unravel amid rising tensions over disputed territories prior to upcoming elections.
Recent clashes have been reported in the Mai Degusha area, further heightening concerns of renewed conflict. The area has a contentious history; during the previous conflict, the federal army and forces from the neighboring Amhara region occupied it. Although buses are still running, they face potential disruptions due to the ongoing instability.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), a key party during the previous conflict, faces internal division and a complex situation with the government, particularly as it approaches the national elections scheduled for June. Many citizens remain displaced, raising questions about their ability to participate in the electoral process.
As the political landscape shifts, the governor has previously stated that territorial disputes would be resolved through referendums, though many affected citizens are still in dire conditions following their displacement during the war.
As military movements signal the potential for increased conflict, concern is mounting about the TPLF's situation, which has deteriorated due to disagreements over electoral participation and legal status as a political entity.
