Borkena
Toronto – On Tuesday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the appointment of Tadesse Worede as the Interim President of the Tigray Region Interim Administration.
The administration was established to serve for two years in accordance with the Pretoria Agreement, which ended the two-year war between the TPLF-led Tigray Regional Administration and the Abiy Ahmed-led federal government from 2020 to 2022. When Getachew Reda was appointed as president of the administration, among its core missions were restoring services in the region, disarming, demobilizing, and reintegrating TPLF fighters (or the “Tigray Defense Force,” as it is called in the region) into the community (DDR), and facilitating the return of displaced people (IDPs) to their homes in Welkait.
Getachew Reda’s two years in office ended without achieving DDR or the return of IDPs. From the series of remarks he has been making recently, much of his time in office was spent resisting obstacles that other TPLF leaders placed in his path, as well as a deadly power struggle. In fact, he was ousted in what has been described as a “creeping coup” before being formally removed by the federal government. He found himself in Addis Ababa weeks before the federal government announced that his term had ended. He later revealed that there had already been an assassination attempt orchestrated by the Debretsion faction.
The Interim Administration required an extension, which involved extensive consultation. As Abiy Ahmed announced this week during the ceremony for Tadesse Worede’s appointment, a legislative adjustment was necessary. The Ethiopian Parliament approved legislation outlining conditions for federal government intervention in regional authorities during crises. The federal government is now empowered to extend the Interim Administration’s term by up to two years.
It was in this context that the Tigray Interim Administration’s term was extended for one year. Regarding the appointment, about a week before Tadesse Worede was named interim president, Abiy Ahmed posted a message on his social media in Tigrinya, calling for regional residents to propose candidates for the position via email. This move faced resistance and criticism. The Debretsion-led TPLF faction opposed it, viewing it as a unilateral action that violated the Pretoria Agreement and the federal constitution. Outside the TPLF leadership, Abiy Ahmed was criticized for failing to recognize that many Tigrayans in rural areas lack internet access.
It appears the appointment of Lt. General Tadesse Worede as interim president had already been discussed. Debretsion’s TPLF faction reportedly agreed to Tadesse Worede’s appointment. This seems to have been a move to ensure Getachew Reda, who leads another TPLF faction, did not remain in power. In February, over 200 military commanders supporting the Debretsion faction held a meeting and decided to remove Getachew Reda—laying the groundwork for what was termed a “creeping coup.”
Tadesse Worede has signed a covenant with the federal government. Among the key commitments are maintaining peace and order in Tigray, ensuring the return of IDPs, and disarming TPLF combatants. He has also agreed to address what the federal government termed “illegal relations undermining sovereignty”—an apparent reference to alleged ties between the Debretsion-led faction, some military commanders, and the Eritrean government, though the federal document did not explicitly name them.Another key task is to prepare the region for election.
Tadesse Worede’s appointment was a major political event in Addis Ababa. Abiy Ahmed invited members of the diplomatic corps, including representatives from the African Union and European Union. For Debretsion’s TPLF faction, the appointment is seen as a victory, as Tadesse is said to be sympathetic to the TPLF. Additionally, Tadesse previously served as deputy president under Getachew’s administration, representing the “Tigray Defense Force,” which he once commanded.
Politicians like Gebru Asrat, a former Tigray region president and TPLF executive member, appear uneasy about Tadesse Worede’s appointment. “In whose name is he coming to power?” he asked in an interview with The Reporter.
Tensions between the two TPLF factions escalated, intensifying the power struggle and worsening security in the region. Fears of renewed conflict arose. Gebru Asrat believes Tadesse Worede’s appointment may not resolve Tigray’s instability, noting that the Debretsion-led TPLF claims Tadesse as their choice. The concern is that he may prioritize the TPLF’s interests.
Gebru argues that “a change of personality is not enough.” He highlighted urgent regional issues: the army currently lacks a commander, and he suggests integrating it into the government structure. There has been a report that the federal budget allocated to the region reportedly funded over 270,000 fighters, leaving social services and public operations underfunded.
He also urged the Interim Council—established under Getachew’s administration—to become functional and for the new cabinet to include opposition and civil society members. Another key suggestion is implementing the Pretoria Agreement, which the Debretsion-led TPLF resists apparently due to its disarmament provisions.
Abera Nigussie, a Tigrayan lawyer and opposition member, called Tadesse Worede’s appointment “not unexpected.” In an interview with Anchor Media, he remarked that the appointment represents a loss for Abiy Ahmed. During the ceremony, Abiy claimed the transfer of power was “peaceful,” but Abera disputes this, calling it a dangerous precedent where “the barrel of the gun” prevailed over the people’s will. He warned that the process legitimizes armed struggle.
Tadesse Worede has admitted he faces a difficult position, though he reportedly enjoys support from much of the army and the Debretsion faction. Yet, he mentioned the need for change among the youth in the region.
Meanwhile, reports suggest the TPLF faction—allegedly engaged in clandestine ties with Eritrea (which both deny)—is secretly pushing for secession. Analysts argue that the status of Welkait and Raya regions is the only factor deterring the TPLF.
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The decision to appointment General Tadesse Worede has military reasons than civilian. The Tigrayan military officers are among the best in the world. The general is an accomplished and a recoginized military leader and commander who defeated the joint forces of Abiy Ahmed, Eritrea and Amhara. Now the oromo dominated government army is losing in the Amhara region and the military expertise of battle tested generals like general Tadesse is badly needed. It is expected that the Tigrayan general Tadesse will assume the non official role of general commander of the government army.
You are dilutional Tegadaly, I always wonder how your inner brain is configured. You are very far from reality. I feel like you are lying to yourself. Please accept your defeat, TPLF is now back to ZERO let alone this ignorant General who fought his own country with retarded people to oversee the army. The king knows what he is doing, you just wait until he dismantles TPLF residue, they are done bro, join us at Prosperity party, get out of darkness, get out of hunger, get out of shortage of everything….
@Digital Tigraway
„The Tigrayan military officers are among the best in the world. The general is an accomplished and a recoginized military leader and commander who defeated the joint forces of Abiy Ahmed, Eritrea and Amhara.“
You mean best in initiating war and take no responsibility?
What a shame.
Tigray people need to wake up and demand TPLF for accountability.