UN chief warns of ‘grave risks’ as fighting resumes in Ethiopia’s Amhara region

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns of ‘grave’ risk of regional destabilisation as Ethiopia-Eritrea clashes reignite in Tigray, with Eritrean forces accused of advancing 60km into Ethiopian territory

In a statement released Friday night in New York, Guterres called on all parties to halt hostilities and return to negotiations under the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which had previously ended Ethiopia’s devastating two-year civil war in Tigray.

The escalation risks unravelling fragile stability across Ethiopia’s Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions, threatening to drag neighbouring nations into a broader crisis. Guterres reminded regional states of their obligations under the UN Charter to refrain from threats or use of force against sovereign territories, while also appealing to influential actors to leverage their influence toward de-escalation.

The UN chief reiterated his readiness to offer diplomatic mediation, though his appeal comes as Ethiopia and Eritrea exchange accusatory statements and military strikes intensify.

The conflict’s immediate trigger was a breakdown in the Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022, which had established a framework for peace after federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) ended their war. Fighting resumed approximately two weeks ago, with both sides blaming each other for violations. Ethiopian government forces reportedly regained control of the regional capital, Mekelle, last week after TPLF forces withdrew, though clashes persist in surrounding areas.

Media reports indicate Ethiopian drone strikes targeted Eritrean positions in the Tigrayan town of Adigrat this week, though no casualties have been verified.

Ethiopia’s foreign ministry has accused Eritrea of launching an "all-out invasion" into Tigray, with Foreign Minister Teshome Toga claiming in a letter to the UN Security Council that Eritrean troops had advanced up to 60 kilometres into Ethiopian territory. Eritrea vehemently denies the allegations, with Information Minister Yemane Ghebremeskel dismissing them as an "unprovoked war of aggression" and accusing Ethiopia of seeking to destabilise Asmara.

The TPLF, which previously governed Tigray, has also been accused by Eritrea of orchestrating the conflict, though the group has not publicly responded to the latest claims.

The humanitarian toll is mounting as fighting disrupts aid operations. The UN’s humanitarian affairs chief, Tom Fletcher, has urged all parties to grant safe and unimpeded access to aid workers delivering food, healthcare, and other essential supplies. While UN teams remain prepared to resume operations in Tigray and other northern regions once security permits, ongoing hostilities have displaced populations across central, northwestern, and eastern Tigray.

In Amhara, a government-led effort to facilitate the return of displaced individuals from Kobo to their home areas has been suspended due to deteriorating security conditions. The UN has emphasised that any repatriation must adhere to principles of safety, voluntariness, and dignity.

For Malaysia and regional observers, the escalation in Ethiopia carries broader implications. As a key player in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia’s stability directly influences trade routes, security dynamics, and humanitarian corridors that affect neighbouring nations, including those in the Gulf and East Africa. The involvement of Eritrea—a nation with historical ties to regional powers—could further complicate diplomatic efforts, particularly if external actors intervene.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council may see it called upon to engage in discussions on the crisis, though no official statement has yet been issued by Kuala Lumpur.

The immediate outlook hinges on whether diplomatic channels can reopen under the Pretoria Agreement’s framework. Guterres’ call for restraint contrasts with the hardening rhetoric from both Addis Ababa and Asmara, raising concerns that the conflict could spiral beyond Tigray’s borders. With aid access restricted and military posturing escalating, the next critical test will be whether Ethiopia and Eritrea can de-escalate before regional tensions deepen further.

The UN’s readiness to mediate remains conditional on both parties’ willingness to engage, leaving the path to resolution uncertain amid mounting accusations and military manoeuvres.