Is Ethiopia’s Tigray region about to break away?

Is Ethiopia’s Tigray region about to break away?

Leaders of Ethiopia’s Tigray region are stepping up their feud with the federal government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. They say they will no longer recognise the administration in the capital, Addis Ababa, or its laws. The warning came after the electoral commission delayed elections due in August because of the coronavirus emergency. Tigray defied the federal government’s postponement order and went ahead with local elections, a move Abiy called “illegal”. The argument is raising concerns Tigray’s leaders are laying the groundwork for the creation of a breakaway state. Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra Guests: Tsedale Lemma – Editor-in-chief, Addis Standard newspaper William Davison – Senior Ethiopia analyst, International Crisis Group