Ethiopia plans interim Tigray set-up

ADDIS ABABA:

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Friday an interim administration would be established in the northern Tigray region, which has been controlled by rebels who have clashed with federal forces in recent weeks.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) launched a major offensive against government forces on September 23, before being pushed back and losing control of its strongholds, including the regional capital. The region had been outside of Addis Ababa's control and did not participate in June federal elections, which were resoundingly won by Abiy's Prosperity Party.

The federal government caretaker administration, which aims to create "a stable political situation so that free and transparent elections can be held", will administer Tigray for the next six months, Abiy's office said on social media following a cabinet decision. The TPLF leadership "did not desire peace", it said, instead initiating the latest "devastating war".