Ethiopia: Federal army controls Mekele amid heightened regional tensions
The Ethiopian federal army, accompanied by an allied militia, took control of Mekele, the capital of the Tigray regional state, on October 4, 2026. According to France 24, the city was occupied without fighting following the withdrawal of rebel authorities from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), who announced a temporary relocation of their structures to continue hostilities.
The resumption of fighting at the end of September in the north of the country comes against a backdrop of marked diplomatic tensions. Ethiopia accuses Egypt, Eritrea, and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of supporting the TPLF. For its part, Cairo has rejected these allegations, describing the situation as an internal Ethiopian crisis. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that his country had "absolutely nothing to do" with these events.
On the sidelines of an African Union meeting, the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and the head of the SAF met on October 4 in El-Alamein. They emphasized the need to respect international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. These discussions come as diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been severed, with Addis Ababa also having expelled an Egyptian diplomat.
The humanitarian and security situation remains fragile in Mekele. While telecommunications have been restored, businesses remain closed for fear of looting. At the same time, explosions have hit military buildings in Addis Ababa, marking an unprecedented escalation. The United States has called on the parties to respect the territorial integrity of their neighbors in the face of risks of the conflict extending into the region.
Our perspective
The Ethiopian crisis highlights the urgency of robust African mediation to preserve the stability of the Horn of Africa. The sovereignty of states and the protection of civilian populations must take precedence over geopolitical rivalries. Unity and dialogue within continental institutions are essential to prevent national disputes from turning into a regional conflict with disastrous human and economic consequences.
This article was written in French with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited below, then translated from French automatically. Read the original.
