According to reports, Ethiopia have released seventy detained contract relief drivers to Tigray, working for Catholic aid, and six u.n. employees. Reportedly, thirty- six drivers are still being held along with ten u.n. employees. Reportedly a year of conflict in Ethiopia has resulted in a food crisis in Tigray and forced many from their homes.
According to reports, Tigrayans governed Ethiopia for three decades until 2018, when increased building around the capital resulted in mass protests from farmers as far as 80 km from Addis Ababa.
Reportedly, in October government forces targeted Tigrayan forces, who attacked and took over of an army base in Tigray and advanced towards the capital, taking over cities in the Amhara region. According to a report, electricity and aviation services were cut in Tigray. Recent reports are that 400,000 Tigrayans are starving, much aid is blocked and it is uncertain whether aid reaches Tigray. Reportedly, no journalists are allowed in Tigray, and the few international aid workers permitted aren’t allowed secure communications, USB sticks or to take photos.
According to a report, the Ethiopian government are in the process of privatisation, excluding banking, telecommunication and transportation companies. Reportedly, Ethiopia exports gold, twenty one per cent of total exports.