Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Friday an interim administration would be established in the northern Tigray region, which has been controlled by rebels who have clashed with federal forces in recent weeks.
The federal government caretaker administration, which aims to create “a stable political situation so that free and transparent elections can be held”, will administer Tigray for the next six months, Abiy’s office said on social media following a cabinet decision.
This comes after Ethiopian government forces announced it had expanded their control across northern Tigray, entering the historic city of Aksum, as the pro-government militia claimed Eritrean troops suffered heavy losses and retreated toward the border.
The renewed fighting threatens the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement, which ended a two-year war in Tigray.
Ethiopia and Eritrea, allies during that conflict, have since fallen out over regional security and Addis Ababa’s efforts to secure sea access.
