Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed names caretaker government for Tigray and sets six-month election deadline

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has appointed a caretaker administration for the war-torn Tigray region and committed to holding free elections within six months, after the TPLF launched a fresh offensive last month that reignited a devastating conflict. The announcement followed federal troops and pro-government militias taking control of Mekelle and much of the surrounding region.

The renewed war has severed ties between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with Addis Ababa accusing Asmara of backing the TPLF rebels — a charge Eritrea denies.

Tigray still has around 750,000 internally displaced people from the 2020-22 war, which killed hundreds of thousands and pushed the region into famine.

Abiy said Tigrayans must 'break free from this cycle of conflict' to finally enjoy development that has 'been out of reach for many years.'