Ethiopia has appointed a new leader for the interim administration in the northern Tigray region, following months of internal disputes that threatened to unravel the fragile peace established after the region’s brutal civil war.
The appointment comes as Tigray continues to grapple with the lingering effects of a devastating two-year conflict, which ended with a 2022 peace agreement. The war — one of the deadliest in recent history — claimed an estimated 600,000 lives and saw Tigrayan forces battle against Ethiopian federal troops, allied regional militias, and Eritrean forces.
On Tuesday, Tadesse Werede, the former deputy of outgoing interim leader Getachew Reda, was named as the new head of the Tigray administration. His appointment follows an escalating power struggle between Getachew and Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which dominated the region for decades.
In an internal document seen by AFP, Tadesse pledged to “carry out his responsibilities diligently,” promising to focus on key priorities such as disarmament, resettling displaced people, and preparing the region for long-awaited elections.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed the leadership transition, describing it as peaceful and orderly. “We have officially and peacefully implemented a program to facilitate the transfer of power,” he wrote.
Abiy expressed confidence in Tadesse’s ability to steer Tigray through this sensitive period, noting that he “has a clear understanding of both the strengths and shortcomings of the previous administration, and many believe he is well-positioned to guide Tigray through this critical transition.”
Despite the relative calm in the region since the peace deal, full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement has stalled, fueling divisions among Tigray’s political elite.
Tensions recently boiled over when armed supporters of Debretsion seized control of Adigrat, Tigray’s second-largest city, removing the mayor appointed by Getachew’s administration.
Analysts say Getachew’s position had weakened in recent months, with the renewal of the interim administration’s mandate providing federal authorities with an opportunity to replace him.
The African Union, whose headquarters are in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, has voiced “deep concern” over the resurgence of tensions in Tigray, urging all parties to recommit to peace and stability.
