Ethiopia's Amhara-Tigray talks may build confidence

Significance

The visit represents a milestone for the two regions, which have been divided by longstanding tensions that fuelled the two-year civil war in northern Ethiopia. The visit was intended to calm frictions and may signal a willingness to find a solution to the no-war-no-peace situation between the two regions.

Impacts

• Yilikal may visit Mekelle to meet the Tigrayan leadership and traditional and religious leaders.
• Improved Amhara-Tigray ties could aid detente between the Orthodox Church and its Tigray branch, which declared autonomy during the war.
• Renewed business and transport links could help reduce shortages and stem the rising prices of commodities in Tigray.
• Amhara-Tigray detente could help remove Amhara opposition to Tigray’s reintegration into national politics.
• Improving relations would also reduce the possibility of an escalation of conflict between Eritrea and Tigray or Ethiopia.