Reopening, but hardship remains
Businesses and financial services are gradually reopening in Mekelle, yet many households are struggling to afford necessities. Delayed salaries have left public employees struggling to cover food, rent and school costs, while years of conflict have depleted family savings.
"Things may be reopening, but that does not mean our problems are over. We still have expenses every day, and without our salaries, it is difficult to know how we will manage," said Gebregziabher, a public servant in Mekelle.
The funding crisis extends across the public sector. In March, Tigray's interim administration said it could no longer cover monthly salaries for about 137,000 civil servants because expected federal budget transfers had not arrived. In April, the regional finance bureau reported an 8.5-billion-birr (about $52,000) funding shortfall affecting salary payments and development projects.
Students fear losing more time
Renewed fighting has revived fears among students of another interruption to their education. Many already lost study time during the previous war and worry about falling further behind. Shewit, a grade 10 student in Adigrat, said uncertainty about classes and security had left him worried about his future.
"I have already lost so much time because of the war. I am afraid that if our education is disrupted again, I will lose another year and fall further behind," he said.
Some university students have left Tigray for Addis Ababa to seek transfers to other public universities. The Ministry of Education announced temporary placements at universities elsewhere in the country for students enrolled at institutions in Tigray. More than 5,000 returning students had applied by September 17-18, according to reporting on the ministry's programme.
Abel, a third-year student at Axum University, said: "I didn't want to leave, but I also can't keep putting my education on hold. I came to Addis to see if I can transfer to another university and continue my studies. I just want to finish what I started."
Border communities fear a wider conflict
Near the Eritrean border, military movements and conflicting accounts of troop deployments have heightened fears that fighting could spread beyond Tigray. On October 8, The Associated Press reported claims by a commander allied with Ethiopia's government that Eritrean troops had entered Adigrat and, the following day, Idaga Hamus. The AP said it could not independently verify the accounts. The conflict-monitoring organisation ACLED separately reported Eritrean troops crossing the border at Zalambessa. On October 13, Reuters reported that Ethiopian government forces had advanced into Zalambessa, citing people in contact with residents and other sources, though it remained unclear whether Eritrean troops or Tigrayan opposition fighters were still present.
The developments have unfolded amid worsening relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara. On October 8, Ethiopia's foreign minister, Gedion Timothewos, accused Eritrea of sending troops as far as 60km (37 miles) into Ethiopian territory in several areas of Tigray and appealed to the UN Security Council to respond. Eritrea denied invading Ethiopian territory, saying the accusations amounted to a declaration of war, and called on the Security Council to take action against Ethiopia. The two countries fought on the same side during the 2020-2022 Tigray war, when Eritrean forces supported the federal government against the TPLF.
An uncertain road ahead
On October 16, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a six-month caretaker administration for Tigray, tasked with restoring public services, helping displaced people return and preparing the region for elections. The federal government says the temporary administration will help restore stability and pave the way for elected regional leadership. The TPLF has opposed the federal advance, and it remains uncertain how effectively the new administration will operate.
For residents, the immediate concerns are whether salaries will be paid, schools and health facilities will function, and displaced families can return safely. In Zalambessa, Gebrehiwot said residents knew from experience what another conflict could bring.
"People are worried because we know what war means for this area. We have already suffered enough, and nobody wants to see things reach that point again," he said.