Bank Account Freezes Linked to Tigray Cause Severe Hardship for Residents

Following the resurgence of conflict between Tigrayan forces and federal troops across three fronts, essential services including transport, network connectivity, and banking have been severely disrupted. Financial institutions have frozen bank accounts originally opened in Tigray, blocking both mobile banking operations and ATM withdrawals. This decision has stranded numerous residents and individuals who recently migrated from Tigray to Addis Ababa, leaving them unable to pay for basic necessities such as food and transport. Many affected individuals report being cut off from family communications while simultaneously losing access to their funds. Efforts to unblock accounts at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branches in Addis Ababa have seen limited success as strict restrictions remain in place. Additionally, individuals from the region report heightened security monitoring and administrative hurdles alongside these financial constraints.