Ethiopia Prepares to Grant Tigray Region Autonomy Amid Ongoing Fighting

Abraham Belay, the former head of the Tigray Interim Administration, stated that Ethiopian authorities are preparing to form a new interim administration in the mentioned region and hold regional elections there within a few months.

The official news agency "ENA" quoted Belay as saying that the federal government is working on creating a new administrative structure that allows the residents of Tigray to manage the region themselves, contributing to the restoration of peace and stability.

The plan involves forming new administrative bodies starting from the "Kebele" level (an Amharic word meaning the smallest administrative unit) with direct participation from local residents.

Belay noted that preparations to end the transitional phase are proceeding rapidly, and regional elections are expected to take place within a few months.

The former official also reported that the Ethiopian Armed Forces continue their operations against illegal armed groups present in the region.

This statement by Belay came after Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, fell under the control of government forces and their allies.

Earlier, forces of the rebel movement - the Tigray People's Liberation Front - had left the city following an attack by pro-government formations.

Source: "ENA" Agency