UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed grave concern over the sudden outbreak of intense military clashes across northern Ethiopia. In a statement issued by UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to prevent further destabilization. The fighting, which has spread across the Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions, risks triggering a broader regional conflict.
The renewed fighting threatens to dismantle the historic 2022 Pretoria Agreement, a diplomatic framework that successfully halted two years of fighting between federal troops and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Guterres urged all signing parties to honor the accord and return immediately to dialogue under its framework. The UN is offering its good offices to mediate and facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The conflict has led to a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between Addis Ababa and Asmara. Ethiopia’s foreign minister has accused Eritrean troops of launching an “all-out invasion” of Tigrayan territory, while Eritrea’s government has rejected the claims, accusing Addis Ababa of orchestrating an “unprovoked war of aggression” aimed at forcing regime change in Asmara.
Military reports indicate that combat has intensified, with Ethiopian drone strikes hitting positions near the northern town of Adigrat. Federal troops have regained control of Tigray’s regional capital, Mekelle, following a tactical withdrawal by TPLF forces last week. The military escalation has thrown humanitarian operations into disarray, with thousands of civilians displaced across central, northwestern, and eastern Tigray.
UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher has appealed to all warring factions to grant immediate, safe access for relief convoys attempting to deliver emergency food and medical assistance. Humanitarian agencies have stressed that any future civilian relocations must remain safe, voluntary, and dignified. In neighboring Amhara, a government program designed to return displaced families to their home villages was abruptly halted due to a breakdown in local security.
Eritrea has formally petitioned the United Nations Security Council to impose Chapter VII sanctions on Ethiopia, amid escalating tensions between the two nations. The UN warning comes as diplomatic relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara reach a boiling point. Guterres reminded neighboring states of their obligations under the UN Charter to respect territorial integrity and refrain from interfering in domestic affairs.
The conflict has significant implications for regional stability and economic growth. Developing economies in the region face a sharper slowdown, with growth slipping to 4% in 2026, according to UNCTAD. The private sector is vital to fully unlocking the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), but the ongoing conflict poses significant challenges to regional trade and economic integration.
Key points
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate halt to hostilities in northern Ethiopia.
- The conflict threatens to dismantle the 2022 Pretoria Agreement and trigger a broader regional conflict.
- The humanitarian situation is dire, with thousands of civilians displaced and humanitarian operations severely disrupted.
