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Addis Ababa — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said his government does not want a return to war, as tensions rise between federal authorities and leaders in the northern Tigray region, raising fears of renewed conflict.
In an interview broadcast by Ethiopian state media, Abiy said disputes should be resolved through dialogue rather than military confrontation.
“We believe problems should be resolved only through dialogue. We don’t want war,” the prime minister said.
The remarks come as regional officials in Tigray claim that federal forces have been building up troops near the region’s borders, prompting concerns that the fragile peace established after the devastating civil war could collapse.
Fragile Peace After a Devastating War
Tigray emerged from a two‑year conflict in 2022, after federal forces — supported by regional militias and Eritrean troops — fought against fighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The war, one of the deadliest conflicts in recent African history, is estimated by the African Union to have caused the deaths of around 600,000 people.
A ceasefire agreement ended large‑scale fighting in November 2022, but tensions between the federal government and Tigrayan authorities have continued.
Clashes were reported again in November 2025 and January 2026, raising concerns that the peace process remains fragile.
Military Movements Raise Alarm
Reports of troop deployments near the Tigray border have intensified concerns among regional observers.
According to officials in Tigray, large numbers of Ethiopian federal troops have been positioned near the region for several weeks, while Tigrayan forces have also increased their presence.
In an interview with AFP, Amanuel Assefa, the deputy leader of the TPLF, accused the federal government of preparing for a new military confrontation.
“The federal government is preparing itself to wage a war against Tigray,” he said.
The federal government has not confirmed preparations for military action.
Eritrea Adds Regional Complexity
The situation is further complicated by tensions between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea.
Ethiopian authorities have accused the TPLF of strengthening ties with Eritrea, a claim the group denies.
Relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara remain fragile despite a historic peace agreement in 2018, which helped earn Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.
Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of seeking access to the Red Sea port of Assab, a strategic issue that has heightened regional tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Abiy warned that Eritrea could attempt to destabilize Ethiopia if the situation escalates.
“We will not give it a chance to hurt our people once again,” he said.
Risk of Renewed Conflict
Analysts say renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia could destabilize the wider Horn of Africa region.
The earlier war in Tigray triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displacing millions of people and severely damaging infrastructure across northern Ethiopia.
Diplomatic observers say sustained dialogue between federal authorities and regional leaders will be critical to preventing another large‑scale conflict.