There have been stunning developments recently in Ethiopia’s grinding conflict between the national government and Tigrayan rebels in the north.

Last November, the news was all about the government’s invasion of the Tigray region by federal forces. When the government claimed victory after capturing the regional capital Mekelle, Tigray was firmly on the ropes and the leadership of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) were being arrestedor fleeing into the mountains.