A dramatic change is underway in northern Ethiopia following the announcement of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front’s reestablishment of its regional parliament – the same election that sparked the tragic Tigray War in 2020.
As a result, there might be more doubts about security in the city of Mekelle.
Ethiopia: New Restoration of the Regional Parliament Increases Political Tension
It was late Sunday when the TPLF released a statement confirming its decision to revive the regional government assembly of Tigray, a body that has been elected by millions of people.
As we all know, the Tigray government assembly was dissolved as part of the Pretoria Peace Accord, bringing an end to the vicious two-year conflict between federal forces and Tigrayans.
Now, however, the leaders of the region claim that the accord was breached, which led to such a significant decision.
A member of the party’s leadership believes that it was made without the necessary consultations in mind.
A Conflict That Has Impacted the Present
The conflict between Tigray from 2020 to 2022 had serious consequences, resulting in 600,000 deaths. Tigray Mekelle travel safety 2026. There were conflicts between federal forces supported by local and Eritrean militias on the one hand and the TPLF forces on the other hand; this is among the deadliest conflicts in Africa.
Even though hostilities have subsided, there still seems to be underlying tension. The TPLF was the political organization dominating Ethiopia for nearly three decades until the emergence of Abiy Ahmed. This organization was rendered illegal politically after he took power.
Movements Across Borders and Dynamics in the Region
Recent security events further complicate the situation. Federal soldiers were said to be positioned close to the borders of Tigray this year, although many of them have pulled out since then. Notwithstanding this development, Tigrayan forces continue to be positioned at important locations along the borders.
Ties with the neighboring countries remain delicate. The Ethiopian-Eritrean relationship has had a bumpy ride, marked by the highly contested border conflict from 1998 to 2000. Of late, there has been friction over access to ports.
Nonetheless, the leadership in Tigray indicates that they are ready to enter into dialogue with the neighboring regions and countries, including the Amhara region, Eritrea, and Sudan.
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Is It Safe to Travel to Mekelle Now?
For tourists who wish to travel to Mekelle, while the current state of affairs is not entirely safe, it is not entirely dangerous.
While there have been periods of stability within Mekelle compared to the conflict-filled years, essential services have slowly restarted. Nonetheless, the instability created by the return of the regional assembly presents additional dangers.
Travel warnings could be classified as “high caution” at this point due to:
- The unclear future path that may result from the dissolution of the interim administration
- Military activity along regional boundaries
- The possibility of escalation within a short period
In summary, it is not recommended that people make non-essential trips to Mekelle and its neighboring regions.
Most Recent Border and Business Alerts
In terms of business considerations, the changes hold a mixed significance.
The cross-border logistics corridors are still vulnerable, especially for those that are connected with Eritrea and Sudan. Although nothing like closure has been witnessed yet, the increased militarized alertness implies delays in the transportation of cargo.
For companies that are already working in or intend to work in Tigray:
- Logistics issues may continue to pose uncertainty due to possible security and control measures
- Regulations might not be clear since the legitimacy of the government is in question
- A wait-and-see attitude is expected in the near future
On the other hand, the lack of any large-scale military confrontation suggests that local economic activities have not come to a complete standstill.
Conclusion
Restoring Tigray’s regional parliament is not just a political move; rather, it is the manifestation of the fact that there are still some issues left unsolved since the previous conflict. This does not mean a direct start of the hostilities again, but certainly increases uncertainty amid the already fragile peace.
At the moment, Mekelle looks peaceful enough; however, the situation in the whole region requires careful thinking about your travel plans.
The choice that will be made by Ethiopia in the following weeks and months can either help reach a turning point toward peace or take the process back to where it was.
