The Escalation of War in Ethiopia

# Summary Ethiopia is experiencing renewed large-scale conflict as the Tigray People's Liberation Front and allied militias launched assaults against federal forces in September 2026, with responsibility primarily attributed to the TPLF's bid to overthrow the government. The author argues that war in Ethiopia is not inevitable but reflects the deliberate choices of political elites who prioritize historical grievances and maximalist political demands over peace and governance. Ethiopia's structural problems—rooted in a failed ethno-federalist system and the absence of inclusive political leadership—extend beyond the current administration and will persist unless fundamentally resolved.