Former combatants in northern Ethiopia are handing in their weapons as a vital disarmament and reintegration process resumes in the Tigray region, opening the door for thousands of ex-fighters to transition back to civilian life.
The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) initiative, which had previously been suspended, is once again underway. Scores of young fighters who took up arms during the conflict are responding to the call for peace by reporting to a registration center at the Tigray Police Commission in the regional capital, Mekelle.
Before arriving in Mekelle to register, many of the young men surrendered their arms to nearby units of the Ethiopian National Defense Force. For fighters who have lived through the harsh conditions of war, officials say the revived program offers a crucial fresh start to help them establish stable socio-economic lives.
Officials at the National Rehabilitation Commission have reaffirmed their appeal to Tigrayan youth, many of whom were deeply impacted by the conflict, not to lose hope but rather to seize the opportunity to rebuild their futures. The initiative aims to reintegrate former combatants into society so they can actively participate in regional peacebuilding and development. Achieving this will rely heavily on coordinated backing from the Ethiopian government, local institutions, and international partner agencies. Former fighters registering at the center described the program's restart as an essential turning point toward lasting peace.
The resumption of the peace process coincides with a broader return to normalcy across Mekelle. Under the previous rule of the TPLF, residents faced severe oppression and instability. Local authorities report that the group forcibly conscripted educated young people straight from their classrooms and homes to serve political ends, forcing many youths to go into hiding to escape round-ups.
Following government peace-enforcement operations in the region, fear has largely receded, and everyday life in Mekelle is rapidly recovering. Streets that were once quiet are bustling again as residents move freely without dreading forced conscription.
Haftom Assefa, a local bank employee, says normal services and commercial activity have been restored across the city, including crucial infrastructure like banking and telecommunications. Having returned to work himself, Haftom expressed relief at being able to move around safely, calling on the government to create job opportunities for young people so that the newly gained stability can endure. Another local resident, Abreha, recalled the intense panic, security threats, and network disruptions that defined recent years under forced conscription. Today, he says, residents can finally come and go in peace, leaving the region with a sense of cautious optimism as it works to solidify a quiet, everyday normal.
