Ethiopians celebrate Meskel and call for peace amid fighting

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-27T15:05:35.266Z • Permanent link

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called for an immediate ceasefire in the country's ongoing conflict, amid celebrations of the ancient festival of Meskel. The two-day festival, which commemorates the discovery of the True Cross, is a significant cultural event in Ethiopia, attracting millions of pilgrims from across the country. However, this year's celebrations took place against the backdrop of intense fighting between government forces and rebel groups in the Tigray region.

The conflict, which began in November 2020, has resulted in widespread human rights abuses, displacement, and economic devastation. According to the United Nations, over 2 million people have been displaced, and thousands have been killed. The Ethiopian government has faced international criticism for its handling of the crisis, with many accusing it of human rights abuses and failing to protect civilians. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Abiy Ahmed acknowledged the scale of the problem, saying "We have a lot of work to do to address the humanitarian crisis and to rebuild our country.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government has announced plans to deploy more troops to the Tigray region, in an effort to quell the rebellion. The decision has been met with skepticism by many, who fear it will only exacerbate the situation. The United States, for example, has urged the Ethiopian government to engage in dialogue with rebel groups, rather than relying on force. As the situation continues to deteriorate, it remains to be seen whether Abiy Ahmed's call for a ceasefire will be heeded.

The conflict in Ethiopia has significant implications for the global AI and tech ecosystem. Many major tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, have operations in the country, and the instability has raised concerns about the potential impact on their supply chains and operations. Research communities, too, have been affected, with many Ethiopian researchers and scientists facing difficulties in accessing funding and resources. The conflict has also highlighted the need for greater investment in digital infrastructure, as many rural areas remain disconnected from the internet.

In particular, the crisis has raised concerns about the impact on the country's burgeoning tech sector. Ethiopia has been investing heavily in digital infrastructure, with a goal of becoming one of the top 10 tech hubs in Africa by 2025. However, the conflict has threatened to derail these plans, with many investors and researchers choosing to pull out of the country. As a result, the country's tech sector is facing a significant crisis, with many fearing that it may never recover.

The conflict in Ethiopia is part of a larger pattern of instability in the Horn of Africa. The region has been plagued by conflict for decades, with many countries struggling to recover from the legacy of colonialism and conflict. The Ethiopian government's decision to deploy troops to the Tigray region is reminiscent of similar decisions made by other African governments, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.