A series of significant developments have been reported in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, including a security incident in the capital, allegations of forced war fund collections, and widespread school closures.
Explosion Causes Panic in Mekelle
A security incident occurred in Mekelle on Sunday evening when an explosive device was detonated near the Adi Haki sub-city Business Campus, in the vicinity of the Homland Hotel. Preliminary reports from local authorities indicate the device was a hand-thrown bomb.
The city’s head of security, in a statement to FM 104.4, asserted that no casualties or property damage resulted from the blast. Officials attributed the act to “anti-peace forces” and stated that an investigation is underway to apprehend the perpetrators. Despite the official account, local sources reported that the explosion caused significant alarm among the civilian population.
TPLF Mandating War Contributions from Civil Servants
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), designated as an outlawed group by the federal government of Ethiopia, is reportedly intensifying efforts to raise funds for another military campaign. Reports indicate the group is now enforcing mandatory financial contributions from all government employees in areas under its control.
A specific directive has been identified in the Samre Woreda of the South Eastern Zone, ordering each government worker to contribute a minimum of 500 Ethiopian Birr. Sources indicate this policy was ratified by the TPLF’s high-level Ad Hoc Committee, with strict orders for compliance enforced under threat of demotion.
In a sign of internal dissent, some civil servants have begun resisting the order. Sources report instances of employees walking out of meetings called to organize the collections, with some explicitly refusing to “pay for another war.”
Widespread School Closures Follow Withholding of Teacher Salaries
The education sector in Tigray is facing a severe disruption as schools across much of the region have shut down. The closures are a direct result of the ongoing suspension of teachers’ salaries, which has led instructors to suspend all teaching activities. TPLF has been accused of siphoning budget support provided by the federal government in Addis Ababa.
Schools in multiple areas, including Maikentag, Tembein, Hawzen, and Ofala, are confirmed to be affected. In response to the closures, teachers and students have taken to the streets in several localities, holding public demonstrations to protest the situation.
