Tigray Faces Ongoing Humanitarian and Political Crisis in 2025

Kulu Media: Mekelle, Tigray – The Tigray region of Ethiopia continues to grapple with a multifaceted crisis marked by lingering effects of conflict, political instability, and an escalating humanitarian emergency in 2025. Despite the cessation of active hostilities, the area remains in turmoil.

The aftermath of the two-year war, which officially ended with the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022, has left Tigray in a state of recovery that appears to be faltering. Recent reports highlight that unexploded ordnance poses a significant threat, particularly to children, contributing to civilian casualties and disabilities. The conflict has left an indelible mark, with more than half of the civilian casualties during the war suffering from long-term disabilities.

Humanitarian challenges have intensified, with famine conditions echoing the catastrophic events of the 1980s. A lack of sufficient aid, exacerbated by corruption scandals leading to the suspension of food assistance, has resulted in reported deaths from starvation. The situation is dire, with an estimated two million people at risk of starvation, particularly in areas still controlled by non-Tigrayan forces.

Politically, Tigray is witnessing internal strife. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is embroiled in a power struggle, raising fears of renewed conflict. The Ethiopian national elections body has suspended the Tigray regional party’s activities for three months, citing breaches of internal laws, further destabilizing the region’s political landscape.

Efforts to restore peace and normalcy are challenged by the incomplete withdrawal of Eritrean and Amhara forces from certain areas of Tigray, which continues to fuel ethnic tensions and violence against civilians. This situation has led to accusations that the Ethiopian federal government might be employing a divide-and-rule strategy to keep Tigray politically weak.

Educational investments aimed at rebuilding and rekindling hope among Tigray’s youth have started, with initiatives from UNICEF and other international bodies. However, the overarching humanitarian crisis overshadows these efforts, with schools often doubling as shelters for the displaced rather than centers of learning.

International response has been mixed. While some aid has resumed, the scale is deemed insufficient by local authorities and NGOs. Calls for more concerted international pressure on the Ethiopian government to address these issues have grown louder, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to both political stabilization and humanitarian aid.

The crisis in Tigray, while less in the global spotlight compared to previous years, remains one of the most pressing humanitarian and political challenges in Ethiopia. The region’s struggle for recovery and peace continues to be a test of both national will and international commitment to prevent further deterioration into chaos and suffering.