Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed gives Tigray 72 Hours to Surrender

In an increasingly escalating situation, Tigrayan forces have been given a 72 hour ultimatum to surrender before the Ethiopian federal military begins an offensive on Mekelle, the regional capital of Tigray. Africa News reports that advancing Ethiopian troops plan to force the city to surrender by shelling it.

According to Africa News, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front said, in response, that it’s forces were digging trenches and standing firm. The region has thus far refused to surrender.

Tigrayan leaders say Tigrayans have been marginalized since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has took office two years ago. They say Tigrayans have been removed from senior roles in the government and the military.

Mediation efforts by the international community have failed, with the Prime Minister insisting that this was not a conflict or war but a law enforcement operation.

The conflict which began in early November has seen hundreds killed, with 30,000 having fled to neighboring Sudan.

Umm Muhammed Umar

Middle East Report

22 May 2026 | 11:17 CAT 4-minute read Iran holds firm Iran’s most recent map of the Strait of Hormuz, released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), declares expanded control over more than 22 000 of maritime space, advancing into the territorial waters of...

Ratepayers warn of boycott over proposed eThekwini tariff hikes

21 May 2026 | 12:57 CAT 2-minute read Frustration over proposed tariff increases and ongoing service delivery concerns spilled onto the streets of Durban as ratepayers and civic organisations marched to City Hall in protest against eThekwini Municipality’s draft...

The Asia Pacific Report

21 May 2026 | 11:40 CAT 1-minute read The plight of the Rohingya remains one of the world’s longest-running humanitarian crises, with growing concerns over safety, accountability and the future of millions of displaced people. Speaking on Radio Islam International’s...

The Africa Report

19 May 2026 | 11:46 CAT 4-minute read Digital fraud crisis in Africa Africa is experiencing a rapidly accelerating digital fraud crisis as cybercriminals exploit the continent's booming mobile connectivity. Driven by AI tools, deepfakes, and social engineering, fraud...

Middle East Report

15 May 2026 | 11:45 CAT 3-minute read Strait of Hormuz: a competition of endurance The 2026 conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has devolved into a high-stakes war of attrition between the United States and Iran, marked by a collapsed, fragile ceasefire and persistent...

The Resilience Of President Ramaphosa

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 14 May 2026 3-minute read Reigniting the impeachment debate around accountability and constitutional processes in his concord drama, President Cyril Ramaphosa is once again at the centre of political and legal turbulence,...