Beyond the Headlines: Will there be lasting peace in Tigray?

On June 28, Ethiopia’s federal government declared a ceasefire in Tigray.

Mekelle, the capital of the restive region, sprang to life as thousands flooded the streets chanting and dancing, many draped in Tigrayan flags.

The announcement was supposed to end eight months of war, in which at least 7,500 people were killed.

Hundreds of thousands more have been forced to flee their homes in the fighting between government troops, their allies and Tigrayan rebels.

Ethiopia called on the rebels to adhere to a unilateral ceasefire, saying it “needs two to tango”. But the Tigrayan rebel spokesman, Getachew Reda, said the offer was a “joke” and declared they would not stop fighting until all federal troops were removed from the region.

The International Rescue Committee confirmed the destruction of a critical bridge allowing aid into Tigray, intensifying concern about relief supplies reaching those in dire need. The US estimates that 900,000 civilians are “likely already experiencing famine conditions”.

Addis Ababa said two major aims for what it calls the “law enforcement operation” in Tigray had been achieved: freeing federal soldiers detained by the rebels and weakening the rebels’ military capabilities.

Analysts and diplomats, however, say the rebels now appear to control most of Tigray and have benefited from a deep well of popular support in the region.

On this week’s Beyond the Headlines, Taylor Heyman looks at whether a lasting peace is possible in Tigray.

Mother Roman Kidanemariam, 35, holds her malnourished daughter, Merkab Ataklti, 22 months old, in the treatment tent of a medical clinic in the town of Abi Adi, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo

Gebre Kidan Gebrehiwet, 2, is treated for malnutrition after fleeing from the town of Abi Adi with his mother, Abeba Tesfay, at the Ayder Referral Hospital in Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo

Birhan Etsana, 27, from Dengelat, uses a nasogastric tube to feed her malnourished baby, Mebrhit, who at 17 months old weighs just 5.2 kilograms (11 pounds and 7 ounces), at the Ayder Referral Hospital in Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo

Abeba Gebru, 37, from the village of Getskimilesley, sits with her malnourished daughter, Tigsti Mahderekal, 20 days old, in the treatment tent of a medical clinic in the town of Abi Adi, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo

An Ethiopian woman scoops up portions of yellow split peas to be allocated to waiting families after it was distributed by the Relief Society of Tigray in the town of Agula, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo

Displaced Tigrayan women sit in a metal shack to eat food donated by local residents at a reception center for the internally displaced in Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo

A woman stands in line to receive food donations at the Tsehaye primary school, which was turned into a temporary shelter for people displaced by conflict, in the town of Shire, Tigray region. Reuters

Tigrayans stand in line to receive food donated by local residents at a reception center for the internally displaced in Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo

An Ethiopian woman leaves with a portion of yellow split peas after it was distributed by the Relief Society of Tigray in the town of Agula, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo

Displaced Tigrayans queue to receive food donated by local residents at a reception center for the internally displaced in Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP Photo