Foreign nationals have been barred from entering Ethiopia’s troubled northern region of Tigray, a senior local official confirmed on Tuesday, as tensions escalate between the federal government and regional authorities.
Tigray, which is still reeling from the devastating 2020–2022 civil war, had recently begun welcoming tourists again, particularly to historic sites such as the ancient city of Aksum. Tourism, though modest, had been a vital source of income for communities attempting to recover from the conflict.
“I can confirm that foreigners are banned from travelling to Tigray, but we still do not know the reason behind the decision,” Wondimu Asamnew, a close associate of regional leader Debretsion Gebremichael, told AFP.
Federal authorities, including Ethiopian Airlines—the only carrier flying between the capital Addis Ababa and Tigray’s capital Mekelle—have so far not responded to requests for comment.
The region’s Culture and Tourism Bureau voiced its concern over the restriction, warning that such measures were “an obstacle to the peace and stability we are striving to achieve.”
The sudden travel ban comes amid internal political strains within Tigray. However, it remains unclear whether these tensions directly prompted the move. The directive has not been publicly addressed by federal officials.
According to Africa Intelligence, foreign passengers attempting to travel from Addis Ababa to the Afar and Tigray regions have been turned away at Bole International Airport. The publication claims the order originated from Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), led by a former advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The two-year conflict, which ended in a peace deal in 2022, saw Ethiopian federal forces, Eritrean troops and allied militias fight against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The war left an estimated 600,000 people dead, according to the African Union.
Despite the formal cessation of hostilities, the region remains fragile. Humanitarian needs persist, and governance issues continue to affect Tigray’s reintegration into national political structures. The sudden travel ban raises fresh questions about the state of the peace process and the ongoing relationship between Addis Ababa and Mekelle.
