ADDIS ABABA - With rebels abandoning control of Ethiopia's northern Tigray state, a new government-appointed mayor of its capital told AFP on Monday they will hold elections within six months.
Tigrayan rebels, who have run the region for years, launched an offensive against the federal government last month, but were ultimately forced to retreat and lost control of the state.
The fighting raised fears of a regional war, as the rebels had the backing of neighbouring Eritrea, which deployed thousands of troops in Ethiopian territory. But they were also forced to retreat after being pounded by drone attacks.
Some residual clashes were still occurring around the town of Aksum, a spokesman for pro-government forces said.
On Friday, the Ethiopian government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed established a new interim administration in Tigray, a region of around six million people, with a mandate to hold elections and re-house displaced people.
"Our role is to create the right conditions for elections by ensuring peace and stability across Tigray," Shishay Amare, the new mayor of state capital Mekelle, told AFP.
"I am confident that this will be done within six months, according to our plan," he added.
"We must also make sure humanitarian aid reaches people in need, help people recover from the psychological effects of the conflict, restart economic activities and reopen markets," Shishay said.
Rebel-controlled Tigray did not take part in the nationwide parliamentary elections in June, which saw Abiy and his Prosperity Party returned to power with an overwhelming victory, facing minimal opposition.
Around a million people remain displaced from the last civil war in northern Ethiopia of 2020-2022, which killed an estimated 600,000 people, according to African Union estimates.
The new Mekelle mayor said the sensitive issue of Western Tigray -- which is claimed by both Tigray and neighbouring Amhara state -- would be deferred to a later date.
"Our main task is to help displaced people return with their dignity respected. Questions about territorial integrity will be resolved through constitutional processes," Shishay said.
- AFP