Life is slowly returning to normal in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, after government forces and their allies regained control of the city earlier this month.
Footage filmed on Wednesday shows pedestrians and vehicles moving through busy streets, market vendors reopening their stalls, although damaged buildings remain visible.
“It has been about a week since peace was restored,” said business owner Mehari Berhe.
“Shops are reopening, and private schools have resumed classes. Public schools have not yet reopened, but I expect classes to resume in time,” he added. “We hope the peace process continues.”
Residents said business is picking up after looting disrupted trade.
“The business climate is improving compared with before. Although the looting that took place earlier slowed business activity, we are now seeing significant improvement,” reported Kibrom Gidey.
Ethiopian federal forces and allied fighters regained control of Mekelle on October 3 after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) withdrew from the city. The withdrawal followed renewed fighting that began on September 23.
The clashes have threatened the 2022 peace agreement that ended Tigray’s two-year civil war, which left thousands dead and millions displaced.
Source: Viory
