Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated that his government is not pursuing another war, urging dialogue amid rising tensions in the northern region of Tigray. His comments come as regional authorities report an increased federal military presence near the area, heightening fears of renewed conflict.
Tigray emerged from a devastating two-year war in 2022 that involved federal troops, allied militias, and forces from Eritrea battling fighters of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. The conflict followed years of political dominance by the TPLF before Abiy, who is not from the Tigray ethnic group, assumed office in 2018. The group was later sidelined and proscribed.
The violence claimed an estimated 600,000 lives, based on figures from the African Union. A ceasefire that lasted more than two years began to weaken after clashes resurfaced in November and again in January.
Recent weeks have seen significant deployments of federal troops along Tigray’s borders, with regional forces also mobilising. The military movements have intensified concerns over a possible return to large-scale fighting.
In a televised interview aired late Thursday, Abiy said disputes should be settled through negotiations rather than force. He stressed that his administration remains committed to peaceful engagement.
Speaking in Tigrinya, a language widely used in Tigray, the prime minister said certain actors were hindering progress toward dialogue and solutions. He added that the TPLF leadership had shown little willingness to compromise.
However, a senior TPLF official, Amanuel Assefa, said in a separate interview earlier in the week that the federal government appeared to be preparing for renewed hostilities against the region.
Federal authorities have also alleged that the TPLF is strengthening ties with Eritrea, a claim the group denies. Relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara remain fragile despite past cooperation. Eritrea has accused landlocked Ethiopia of seeking access to its Assab port, an allegation Ethiopian officials reject.
Ethiopia and Eritrea previously fought a border war from May 1998 to June 2000 that resulted in heavy casualties.
Abiy further warned that Eritrea could attempt to destabilise Ethiopia. He said the government would act decisively to prevent any threat to national security or civilian safety.
