Rival forces seize mayor’s office in key Ethiopian town, sparking conflict fears

A dissident faction of the ruling party in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has seized control of government offices and a radio station in the regional capital, Mekelle, raising fears of a fresh conflict.

The move comes amid a deepening internal power struggle within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the dominant party in the region. The split has sparked concerns of renewed violence, just over a year after a fragile peace deal ended a brutal two-year civil war between Tigrayan forces and the Ethiopian federal government.

Residents in Mekelle reported growing anxiety, with some withdrawing cash from banks in anticipation of possible unrest. “People are worried that the situation could quickly spiral out of control,” one resident told the BBC.

The TPLF has yet to issue an official statement on the developments, but analysts warn that the power struggle could destabilize the region. The Ethiopian government has also remained silent on the latest tensions.

The crisis threatens to undermine ongoing efforts to rebuild Tigray following the devastating war that left tens of thousands dead and millions in need of humanitarian aid. Observers fear that if the factional dispute escalates, it could draw in federal forces or neighboring regions, potentially reigniting conflict in the war-scarred region.