Ethiopia’s Tigray: War Has Ceased, But Over 700,000 Displaced Remain in Limbo

Edited By: Widad WAHBI

More than a year and a half after the signing of the peace agreement that formally ended the brutal civil conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the humanitarian toll continues to weigh heavily on the region’s displaced population. Despite hopes raised by the November 2022 accord, an estimated 700,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are still living in makeshift shelters, unable to return to their homes—many of which lie in contested or militarized zones.

In the regional capital of Mekelle, a powerful scene of civil resistance unfolded between June 18 and 20, as thousands of displaced individuals took to the streets and public squares to demand immediate and secure repatriation. Protesters, holding signs and chanting slogans such as “Enough is enough!” and “Let us go home!”, gathered under the scorching sun, voicing their frustrations and fears as another rainy season approached—one that could further complicate logistics and living conditions.

Among them was Teklay, a former sesame farmer from western Tigray. Now elderly and frail, he leaned on a wooden stick as he recounted the devastation of his life. “It’s been four and a half years since everything stopped. I had land, livestock, a home. Now, I live on handouts,” he lamented. His story mirrors that of tens of thousands, uprooted by a war that shattered livelihoods and severed communities.

Local civil society organizations are leading efforts to draw international attention to the ongoing crisis. Muez Berhe, vice-president of the Tsilal Western Tigray Civil Society, which organized the demonstrations, emphasized that the protests were not only a plea for return but also a call to the international community. “Our hope lies in external pressure. Without it, these people may remain in limbo indefinitely,” he stated.

While the 2022 peace agreement brought an end to active hostilities between the federal government and Tigrayan forces, it has not yet resulted in the restoration of full access or security in key areas of western Tigray. Many displaced people fear returning to regions where ethnic tensions, contested governance, and the presence of armed actors still pose threats to safety.

With seasonal rains looming, humanitarian organizations warn that prolonged displacement could deepen vulnerability. Overcrowded shelters, limited access to food, and lack of sanitation have already triggered warnings from relief agencies.

The situation in Tigray today is emblematic of a broader dilemma faced by post-conflict states: how to translate a signed agreement into tangible peace, especially for those most affected. For the hundreds of thousands stranded far from home, peace on paper remains an unfinished promise.