DW Amharic – Fears of displaced residents beginning returning to Tsagibji and Abergele districts in Amhara Region
Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – Fears of displaced residents beginning returning to Tsagibji and Abergele districts in Amhara Region
Esayas Gelaw
October 5, 2026 (Meskerem 25, 2019 EC)
Following the restoration of the administrative structure, residents which began to return to Abergele and Tsagibji districts of Wag Hemra Zone in Amhara Region after months of displacement, residents have faced severe transportation shortages, sorrow from loss of life, and concerns over security and hunger, residents say.
Following the restoration of the administrative structure and return of relative peace after months in Abergele and Tsagibji districts of Wag Hemra Zone in Amhara Region, displaced residents taking refuge in Sekota City began returning to their homes. Abergele and Tsagibji districts which were under control of ADM or Agew Shengo militants for months since Miyazia 2018 EC (corresponds to the period between April 9 to May 8, 2026) have now come under control of state security forces. Fighting between ADM, which is a member of the alliance force, and state forces had left more than 56,000 residents displaced from five different districts taking shelter in Sekota City, leaving behind their homes. The return of relative peace has prompted displaced residents to begin returning to their homes. “This area has repeatedly been impacted by war, it’s not just now. Students have suspended their education to transition into the realm of marriage which is an area where they face various plights, but now at least the district is entirely liberated so even if it’s just for the time being, we are able to breathe” they said.
The increased cost of transportation to return
“We are entering now, we are entering the city. They are welcoming us, they are extending warm wishes. The area has been filled with white it looked as though there weren’t any people there before” they said.
According to Ato Wedaje Belay returning displaced residents from Sekota City to Abergele District, located 65 kilometers away, are being asked 1,000 birr in payment for transportation which has forced many displaced residents to make the long journey on foot.
“There is transportation. But transportation is now 1,000 from Sekota to Abergele which is 65 kilometers, it’s 1,000 birr. We asked authorities for vehicles, but the majority are in wartime service, so the vehicle shortage has caused severe hardship for some people.”
In relation to the conflict, there was heavy fighting over three consecutive days in and around Sekota City causing significant loss of life, said residents of Abergele and Tsagibji districts who fell into deep mourning over the loss of life. “There has been mourning and more mourning throughout the week, but we have mourned two more people every day for the last four weeks. There were youths, they were very impressive youths. Just within one week. There were more than 20 youths, the time has been spent mourning” they said.
“Were they killed in the war?” “Yes, in the war. We have spent the week mourning. We have been draped in black clothing.”
This area has been a protracted conflict area since 2013 EC (corresponds to the period from September 11, 2020, to September 10, 2021) and even now there are fears the armed conflict will intensify. “In our area there are TPLF forces. In addition to them, there are ADM forces. These are the two forces. Starting from 2013 EC it can be said the area has been a battlefield or a warfront, but now for the time being there is a respite. But this does not mean everyone wants peace and not until there is an inclusive peace process, otherwise I do not think we will be able to say we are free without fear” they said.
In addition, the area has been exposed to recurrent drought related to nature, so residents fear the combination of recently observed climate change and war will expose the zone to a severe hunger crisis. “There is no harvest. The harvest has been impacted by drought. There is no rainfall in Abergele District. At the zonal level there has been a rain shortfall across Wag. Currently there hasn’t been migration because there is war everywhere, but currently the hunger is more frightening than the war” they said.
Administrators of Tsagibji and Abergele districts did not respond to our attempts to contact them by phone or message for additional information on the matter, so it was not possible to include their comments.
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