UN Warns of Escalating Conflict in Northern Ethiopia

Editorial Deep Dive & Context

The United Nations has voiced grave concern regarding the deteriorating security situation across northern Ethiopia, where fighting is spreading across multiple fronts and increasingly disrupting humanitarian operations. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that Secretary-General António Guterres is closely monitoring developments and engaging with leaders to de-escalate the crisis, which threatens to reignite the full-scale war that erupted in Tigray in 2020. The conflict involves reports of drone usage and harm to civilians, prompting calls for maximum restraint and dialogue. Internet and call services have been largely cut off in the Tigray region, severely impacting banking and mobile transactions due to a lack of cash access. This escalation follows the November 2022 peace deal mediated by the African Union, though implementation progress had already been flagged as slow. Guang Cong, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, is coordinating with the AU and IGAD to resume dialogue. Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that insecurity is choking aid delivery; a recent drone strike hit a food assistance truck in northwestern Tigray, and road closures have paused humanitarian movements. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep alarm over airstrikes hitting schools and mortar strikes killing civilians. The situation is further complicated by below-average rainfall linked to El Niño, exacerbating extreme weather conditions and needs among displaced populations in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions

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