Ethiopian parliament has declared the Tigray administration illegal and voted to replace it with an interim administration in an emergency session. Interim administration will appoint officials, ensure the respect for rule of law, approve the region’s budget and facilitate the process of conducting elections.
Amid airstrikes on military targets in Tigray, Ethiopian parliament has declared the Tigray administration illegal and voted to replace it with an interim administration in an emergency session.
The Parliament decision empowers Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to enact measures against Tigrayan leadership which is perceived as illegal by his government. The federal government in a statement issued said that the interim administration will appoint officials, ensure the respect for rule of law, approve the region’s budget and facilitate the process of conducting elections.
The mounting tension in the region has raised fears of an impending civil war that could destabilise the entire country. Such a situation in Africa’s second-most populous country — with 110 million people — could adversely impact neighbours such as Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia. Some political experts even warn that some parts of Ethiopia might seek to break away from the federation. There have been international calls including from UN for a “de-escalation in the fighting”. According to reports, the conflict is deepening with the possibility of it spreading over to other parts of the country – and the region.
The TPLF that played a prominent role in Ethiopia’s military and ethnic federal political system as part of the ruling alliance felt marginalised when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed introduced sweeping political reforms. It decided to break away when Abiy attempted to transform the coalition accusing him of restricting the autonomy of various ethnic regions. Ethiopia’s regions enjoy considerable autonomy, owning their own security forces, their own parliaments, and the right to a referendum for self-rule.
When the central government canceled elections that was scheduled to take place in August because of the coronavirus the TPLF and other parties in the region set up their own election in September, culminating in the current crisis.
