Families Reunited In Ethiopia

Tearful reunions were witnessed in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray as commercial flights resumed for the first time in nearly two years on Wednesday, 28 December.

The regional capital of Mekelle was largely cut off from the rest of the world 18 months ago, when a conflict erupted between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

A deal between the two sides was orchestrated last month by the African Union, which allowed the return of communications, much-needed supplies and commercial travel to the wartorn region.

According to local travel agents, the Ethiopian Airlines flights sold out within hours of their announcement. Many people were also seen jogging across the departures terminal, desperate to get on board.

“When I heard of the news [of the flights], I fell to the ground and cried,” 47-year-old Kahssay Hailu said. She has been trapped in the federal capital, Addis Ababa, since 2020 when she went to help her daughter prepare for exams.

“I lived here, separated from my husband and child whom I love,” Hailu added as she spoke with a reporter before embarking on her flight home.

Image Credit: Source