Madar (International) - Ethiopia's government on Friday, October 16, 2026, set up a six-month caretaker administration for the northern Tigray region under federal supervision, according to a social media post by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office reported by AFP.
The move followed a resolution by the House of Federation and a binding Council of Ministers decision, according to Dawan Africa. Five officials were named to lead it: Assefa Abreha Hagos for administration and public services, Tewodros Aregawe W/Selassie for economy and reconstruction, Brigadier General Gebre-Egziabher Beyene Hailu for peace and security, Redae Halefom W/Selassie for political and public mobilisation, and Shishay Amare as mayor of Mekelle.
The administration's mandate is limited to routine governance, restoring security, services and institutions, helping displaced people return and preparing the region for "free and transparent elections," the same outlet reported. The government statement said the leadership of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) "did not desire peace" and accused it of starting the latest "devastating war."
The TPLF launched a major offensive against government forces on September 23 but was pushed back and lost its strongholds, including the regional capital Mekelle, AFP reported. Tigray did not take part in June's federal elections, won by the ruling Prosperity Party. The 2020-2022 war between Tigrayan and federal forces left an estimated 600,000 dead before the 2022 Pretoria peace deal.
The announcement comes amid fears of a wider conflict: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to "de-escalate."
