On Tuesday, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told reporters that the Ethiopian army’s seizure of Mekelle would be followed by a "visible change" in Tigray’s governance and security.

The adviser, former Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) member Gebru Asrat, said the operation marked a turning point that would allow the federal government to restore basic services and begin a political dialogue with regional leaders.

"We will see a concrete shift on the ground, not just rhetoric," Gebru told a press conference in Addis Ababa.

Gebru’s comments came as United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres, who visited the region last month, urged Addis Ababa to ensure humanitarian aid reaches displaced civilians and to open space for an inclusive political process.

Security gains and humanitarian concerns

Federal troops entered Mekelle on Monday after weeks of intense fighting that left the city’s infrastructure largely crippled. Residents described streets littered with shell fragments and power outages that persisted for days.

Humanitarian agencies, including the World Food Programme, have warned that more than 2 million people remain in need of food assistance, with access hampered by damaged roads and sporadic security checks.

Political backdrop

The Tigray conflict erupted in November 2020 when the central government launched a military campaign against the TPLF, accusing it of attacking a federal base. After two years of stalemate, the federal forces advanced from the south and east, culminating in the capture of Mekelle, the region’s capital.

International observers, including the African Union, have called for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement. Ethiopia’s government has signalled willingness to discuss constitutional reforms that would grant greater autonomy to regional states, a long‑standing demand of the Tigrayan leadership.

Challenges ahead

Analysts caution that security on the ground remains fragile. Reports of isolated skirmishes in rural districts suggest that not all armed groups have laid down arms. Moreover, the return of displaced residents will strain already overstretched health facilities.

Gebru acknowledged these hurdles, saying the government would deploy “trusted” administrators to oversee reconstruction and that an independent commission would monitor the rollout of aid.

UN officials have welcomed the promise of a "visible change" but stressed that any progress must be accompanied by unrestricted humanitarian corridors and a clear timeline for political negotiations.

In the coming weeks, the Ethiopian government plans to hold a regional conference in Addis Ababa to discuss the future of Tigray’s autonomy, while the United Nations will convene a high‑level meeting on the humanitarian situation later this month.