Ethiopia has imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals seeking to enter the northern Tigray region, as concerns grow over rising political tensions and uncertainty following a fragile post-conflict recovery.
The measure, confirmed by local officials on Tuesday, effectively halts international visits to a region that had only recently reopened to foreign tourists following the end of a devastating civil war in 2022.
“I can confirm that foreigners are banned from travelling to Tigray, but we still do not know the reason behind the decision,” said Wondimu Asamnew, an associate of Tigray’s regional leader Debretsion Gebremichael.
The federal government has not yet issued a formal statement on the travel restriction. Likewise, Ethiopian Airlines, the sole commercial carrier operating flights between Addis Ababa and Mekelle, has declined to comment.
The travel suspension has sparked concern among local officials, particularly those in Tigray’s Culture and Tourism Bureau, who fear the decision could undermine ongoing recovery efforts. “Such restrictions are an obstacle to the peace and stability we are striving to achieve,” a spokesperson said.
According to regional reports, several foreign passengers attempting to board flights from Bole International Airport to Afar and Tigray were turned away, allegedly on orders from Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).
The travel ban comes at a sensitive time, as internal political tensions continue to simmer within Tigray. Though it is unclear if these tensions directly prompted the ban, the move raises fresh doubts about the durability of the peace agreement signed in November 2022 between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The two-year conflict that began in 2020 resulted in massive human and infrastructural losses, with over 600,000 deaths, widespread displacement, and a severe humanitarian crisis, according to African Union estimates.
While the cessation of hostilities brought an end to active fighting, the path toward political reintegration and economic recovery remains uneven. Aid access, governance disputes, and lack of clarity around regional autonomy continue to strain relations between Addis Ababa and Mekelle.
Observers warn that restricting international access to the region—especially without clear communication—may deepen mistrust and weaken transparency efforts during a critical phase of rebuilding.
As the situation develops, international organizations and diplomatic missions are expected to seek clarity on the directive and its implications for humanitarian operations, peace monitoring, and tourism in northern Ethiopia.