The European Union (EU) has voiced grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating security climate in Northern Ethiopia, issuing an urgent call for immediate de-escalation and a return to political dialogue.

The appeal follows alarming reports of expanding military engagements across multiple localities, alongside the seizure of the Mekelle, Axum, and Shire airports in the Tigray region by Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces.

Brussels also expressed deep unease regarding recent drone strikes executed by the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF). Emphasizing that regional differences cannot be resolved through armed conflict, the EU stressed that it is not yet too late for all parties to recommit to the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

Highlighting the severe toll on local populations, the European Union underscored that compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is absolute and non-negotiable. This mandates the continuous protection of civilians and the preservation of independent, impartial humanitarian relief efforts. Consequently, the bloc strongly condemns any military strikes impacting humanitarian convoys as well as any obstruction of vital aid access.

Reiterating its diplomatic stance, the EU confirmed its ongoing commitment to backing de-escalation initiatives, the African Union-led mediation framework, and constructive national dialogue to secure lasting stability.

The Republic of Djibouti has officially broken ground on a strategic, $160 million petroleum product storage terminal at the Damerjog Industrial Park (DDIP).

This high-profile ceremony brought together key regional leaders, including Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. They were joined by the President of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, alongside several distinguished members of the Djiboutian cabinet.

Spanning approximately 80 hectares within the DDIP, the infrastructure development is spearheaded through a powerful partnership between the Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH). This landmark venture marks a monumental step forward in regional economic integration and bilateral cooperation between Djibouti and Ethiopia.

Designed to significantly bolster energy security and streamline logistics across the Horn of Africa, the terminal will feature robust storage facilities and integrated fuel pipelines. For Ethiopia, the project provides a vital, cost-effective energy transit route that reduces reliance on traditional highway transport, mitigates supply chain bottlenecks, and guarantees long-term fuel stability.

Meanwhile, the initiative further cements Djibouti’s status as a premier regional logistics and energy hub.

The United States has issued a stern warning regarding potential additional sanctions following a large-scale military offensive launched by the leadership of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in northern Ethiopia.

In an official statement released today, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin J. Massinga expressed deep disappointment over the decision by TPLF leaders to reject ongoing peace efforts and pursue a military escalation.
The offensive, launched on Wednesday, threatens the fragile peace that has held since the Pretoria Agreement formally ended the 2020–2022 civil war.

“I am disappointed to see the leadership of the TPLF, that the United States sanctioned earlier this year, make the poor decision to launch a large-scale offensive today,” Ambassador Massinga stated.

The renewed hostilities sharply undermine African Union-sponsored dialogue led by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Just weeks earlier, the U.S. and the European Union had jointly backed Obasanjo’s mediation efforts, expressing hope that his diplomatic engagement would help reduce tensions and address humanitarian needs in the region.

Stressing that the conflict yields no benefit to the population, Massinga cautioned other armed factions against joining the escalation.

While emphasizing that Washington retains the punitive tools necessary to target leaders pushing the nation toward further instability, the U.S. envoy underscored that a political settlement remains the only viable path forward.

“While the U.S. has tools to sanction additional leaders who try to push Ethiopia down the wrong path, I still believe a reasonable political dialogue is the right way to go,” Massinga said.

This latest flashpoint approaches the four-year milestone of the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement. The peace process, however, has faced persistent strains, with both sides repeatedly trading accusations of non-compliance. Tensions escalated sharply last month when the TPLF announced an alliance with seven other armed groups aimed at challenging Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration.

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Getachew Reda, Minister and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Eastern African Affairs, announced that TPLF forces had seized control of federally administered airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire. The development immediately forced Ethiopian Airlines to suspend all scheduled commercial flights to the region.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf issued a statement urging “utmost restraint and immediate de-escalation.” He characterized the seizure of the airports as a direct contradiction of the Pretoria Agreement and called upon President Obasanjo to urgently re-engage the concerned parties.

Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are set to jointly lay the foundation stone today for a strategic petroleum product storage terminal at the Damerjog Industrial Park (DDIP).

Spearheaded through a partnership between the Dangote Group—led by African industrialist Aliko Dangote—and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), this landmark project marks a significant leap forward in economic integration and bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Scheduled to launch on September 24, 2026, the ambitious infrastructure development spans approximately 80 hectares within the DDIP and represents an estimated investment of $160 million. Designed to bolster regional energy capabilities, the terminal will feature a storage capacity of 375,000 cubic meters and a transit capacity of up to 5 million tons of petroleum products per year.

The facility will connect directly to the Damerjog-Nagad railway line and link to the Damerjog Liquid Bulk Port (DLBP) via a common collector system, ensuring seamless, highly efficient logistics and distribution.

The terminal is expected to serve as a vital catalyst for economic growth on both sides of the border. For Djibouti, the project will stimulate local economic activity, create hundreds of jobs, unlock service and maintenance opportunities for domestic enterprises, and further elevate the nation’s status as a premier regional logistics and energy hub.

For landlocked Ethiopia, the initiative provides a crucial alternative to heavy road transport, drastically cutting logistics costs, easing highway congestion, shrinking its carbon footprint, and securing a reliable, long-term energy supply.

Looking beyond the immediate terminal, the development forms the cornerstone of a much larger vision: the 120-kilometer Damerjog multi-product pipeline. Connecting the storage facilities directly to the border town of Dawanleh in eastern Ethiopia, this cross-border pipeline will ensure a sustainable, uninterrupted flow of refined petroleum products to the Ethiopian market.

Bound by deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, Djibouti and Ethiopia continue to set a benchmark for successful economic integration in Africa, with this strategic energy backbone paving the way for future regional resource sharing and expanded international trade.