Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, announced on Friday the formation of a transitional government in the northern Tigray region. This decision was made following an increase in clashes in recent weeks between a rebel coalition and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces.
Reasons for Forming a Transitional Government
Ahmed stated in a declaration: "To achieve the peace that they have long been deprived of and to secure their right to self-governance and benefit from the fruits of development that have been inaccessible for years, the people of Tigray must break this cycle of conflict." These remarks were published on the social media platform X.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister's Office announced on social media that "repeated efforts" to resolve the conflicts in this region have ultimately failed. It also accused the leadership of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) of unwillingness to pursue peace, stating that this group has initiated a devastating war instead of seeking peace.
Responsibilities of the Transitional Government
According to the Prime Minister's Office, a temporary administration has been appointed in the region to ensure peace, which will govern Tigray for six months. This office has outlined 10 essential tasks for this transitional government, including holding "free and fair elections" within six months.
Other responsibilities of this transitional government include resettling displaced communities, restoring public services, and protecting essential infrastructure. Last September, the TPLF and six other armed groups launched an attack against Abiy Ahmed's government, leading to the retreat of government forces and the loss of strongholds, including the regional capital, Mekelle.
Ethiopia also accuses Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, while Asmara denies this accusation, claiming that Addis Ababa is using this conflict as a pretext to justify military action and seize the Red Sea port of Assab.
More than 600,000 people lost their lives in a civil war from 2020 to 2022, and the region still struggles with a large number of internally displaced persons.
