By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Addis Ababa, 23 September 2026 – African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called for the immediate de-escalation of renewed military tensions in northern Ethiopia and urged the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to resume direct talks.
In a statement, Youssouf expressed deep concern over what he described as the seizure of the airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire by Tigray forces, the detention of federal personnel and the disruption of civilian flights. He also raised concern about reports of fighting in parts of southern Tigray and the Afar Region.
The chairperson said the seizure of civilian airports was inconsistent with obligations under the Pretoria Agreement, signed by the Ethiopian government and the TPLF on 2 November 2022. He warned that the renewed tensions and recently formed political and military alliances could undermine progress towards peace.
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Youssouf urged all sides to exercise restraint, halt actions that could further escalate tensions and resume talks within the framework of the Pretoria Agreement. He also called on Ethiopia's neighbours to avoid steps that could intensify the conflict and to support efforts to calm the situation.
The tensions come days after the TPLF and six other groups announced a new political and military alliance that said it sought to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. The Ethiopian government has accused the alliance of receiving support from Eritrea, while Asmara has previously denied such allegations.
The renewed hostilities have raised fears that northern Ethiopia could face another large-scale war as people in Tigray and neighbouring regions continue to recover from the humanitarian toll and destruction of the 2020–2022 conflict.