Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced plans to appoint a new leader for the embattled Tigray region, as tensions escalate and fears of renewed conflict mount.

The region’s interim president, Getachew Reda, recently fled to Addis Ababa following internal divisions within the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which governs the area. In an unconventional move, Abiy has invited Tigrayans to submit suggestions for the region's new leader via email.

The ongoing power struggle has raised alarms over the potential resurgence of the brutal civil war that devastated Tigray between 2020 and 2022, claiming an estimated 500,000 lives.

Abiy criticized the current Tigray leadership for failing to lay the groundwork for elections after the conflict ended. The war was halted by a peace agreement that established an interim administration tasked with overseeing the region until elections could be held. Getachew was installed as interim leader under this arrangement, replacing former president Debretsion Gebremichael.

However, two weeks ago, Debretsion and a faction within the TPLF seized control of the Tigray administration, deepening divisions within the region.

Addressing the situation on social media, Abiy stated that “considering the realities on the ground,” appointing a new interim president was necessary. He also announced that the interim administration’s two-year mandate would be extended by another year.

Despite the peace deal, Tigray continues to grapple with major challenges, including delays in disarming TPLF fighters and severe humanitarian crises.

The political turmoil has drawn international concern, with the US, UK, and European Union warning that stability in the region must be preserved to prevent a return to violence.

Amidst these tensions, Abiy acknowledged that Ethiopia’s military is already stretched thin due to ongoing conflicts in the Oromia and Amhara regions. Addressing parliament last week, he reiterated his commitment to peace.

The Tigray war saw atrocities committed by all sides, including Ethiopian government forces, the TPLF, and Eritrean troops backing Addis Ababa. Human rights organizations have documented mass civilian killings and widespread sexual violence throughout the conflict.