Ethiopia's federal government has announced the establishment of a six-month caretaker administration for the conflict-affected Tigray region, assigning it responsibility for restoring security, rebuilding public institutions and preparing the region for elections.

In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said the caretaker administration will work to restore peace and stability, rebuild damaged infrastructure, resume essential public services, facilitate the return of internally displaced people and create the conditions necessary for free and transparent regional elections within six months.

The government said the move was taken under the authority granted by Ethiopia's Constitution and the Council of Ministers following a decision by the House of Federation to establish a temporary administration for the country's northernmost region.

Government blames TPLF for collapse of peace efforts

The statement said repeated attempts to resolve the conflict through the Pretoria Peace Agreement had failed, accusing the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) of obstructing the implementation of the accord and resuming hostilities against the federal government.

"The destructive war launched by the TPLF leadership for the fourth time has once again ended in the TPLF's defeat. The people of Tigray must break free from the cycle of conflict to attain the peace they have long sought," the statement said.

According to the government, the caretaker administration is intended to help the people of Tigray secure their rightful place within Ethiopia's federal system, consolidate peace, focus on reconstruction and development, and strengthen lasting unity with the country's other regions.

Move follows renewed fighting

The announcement comes after renewed fighting between federal forces and the TPLF, which reignited tensions in northern Ethiopia despite the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement. Government forces recently regained control of the regional capital, Mekelle, and several other areas during a counteroffensive.

The renewed conflict has also heightened regional tensions, particularly with neighbouring Eritrea, while humanitarian agencies continue to warn of the difficult conditions facing hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians across Tigray.(ILKHA)