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News Tigray power feud escalates as regional military disowns interim admin
By Lwam Ataklti
January 25, 2025
The heads of the Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) have accused the Tigray Defense Force (TDF) of conducting a soft coup after the latter called for the formation of a new regional administration earlier this week.
The regional security forces, which had so far been neutral in the political feud between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the TIA, has joined the fray. Its representatives characterized the interim administration as impotent and accused its leaders of failing to fulfill the duties hoisted on them under the terms of the Pretoria Agreement.
Lt. Col. Gebre Gebretsadiq, who spoke on behalf of TDF leaders, said that TIA President Getachew Reda and other key officials are ignoring their responsibilities and disregarding public interest. He labeled their alleged refusal to give up power as a “betrayal.”
The Lieutenant Colonel urged the interim administration to focus on the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement and the return of territories occupied by other forces to their constitutional status.
He claimed that the government is confusing the people by continuously promoting “reform and change” agendas with ambiguous origins and targets. Additionally, he accused the military of releasing wartime atrocity perpetrators without holding them accountable.
TDF representatives within the TIA cabinet will also be replaced if they fail to live up to their responsibilities, according to the Gebre.
Lieutenant General TadesseWerede is a member of the cabinet serving as head of security and the official TDF representative, but Gebre did not mention him by name.
The heads of TDF have decided to unify all security structures in the region under a single command, according to the Lieutenant Colonel, who declared he would not accept any changes made by dissolving the regional councils.
He underlined the TDF’s opposition to the presence of ‘unlawful armed forces’ and the establishment of training camps intended to strengthen them.
Gebre called for the disarmament process to be carried out in accordance with the Pretoria Agreement, with a focus on regional security and stability, as well as military readiness.
The Tigray Interim Administration, led by GetachewReda responded by saying that the regional security forces’ move to dismiss the administration is “illegal” and “unacceptable.
It accused the security forces of openly collaborating with illegal groups beyond their duty to “spread lawlessness” and “disintegrate the security forces.”
The interim administration, which termed the security forces’ statements as “unknown” and “unusual,” said that it had convened an emergency meeting to address the issue. It further asked security personnel to reject the decision and not carry out any commands, as the action risks a “coup” and the Pretoria Agreement.
Alula Hailu, deputy chairman of the opposition SalsayWeyane party, characterizes the armed forces’ support of the TPLF and its chairman, DebretsionGebremichael (PhD), as inappropriate.
“The Pretoria agreement issue is just a cover,” he said during an interview with The Ethiopian Reporter.
Similarly, AmdomGebreselassie, chairman of Arena Tigray party, rejected the statement, arguing that the leaders do not represent the TDF.
He said that his party had confirmed that approximately 25 senior military officers have acknowledged that they will not participate in supporting either of the feuding TPLF factions.
He also accused Debretsion’s faction of the TPLF of relying on the support of the Eritrean government.
The TPLF’s political leadership has been split for almost a year now, with the rift between the two factions deepening over the past several months.
Despite taking part in several discussions with federal officials about the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, they have continued to exchange threats and intimidation, accusing one other of “working with the federal government or with Eritrea.”
The security forces, who have an independent representative in the region’s interim administration under the Pretoria Agreement, have also stated that both factions of the party should refrain from conflicts.
But the statement issued two days ago suggests the TDF is likely to enter the fray in support of the faction led by Debretsion. Analysts who are keeping a close eye on the situation harbor serious concerns it could spiral into armed conflict.
In a press statement released on Friday, SalsayWeyane expressed its concern over the military’s siding with one faction instead of maintaining neutrality and stabilizing the region.
“Tigray remains tragically engulfed in a profound crisis stemming from the TPLF’s internal political decay, characterized by rampant corruption and destructive infighting. This internal strife is further exacerbated by the Ethiopian government’s persistent failure to honor the commitments outlined in the Pretoria agreement,” reads the statement. “In a deeply concerning development, senior leaders within the Tigrayan military have brazenly declared their support for a specific TPLF faction, attempting to seize power through force. SalsayWeyaneTigray equivocally condemns this act of unlawful power-grabbing.”
Analysts see the military’s siding with one faction as a sign of one of two things to come. One could be a target to replace Getachew’s administration with the TPLF old guard led by Debretsion, positioning the TDF as a kingmaker in the region.
The second could see the security forces take power, analysts say.
Other sources claim that Debretsion’s faction and the regional military have come to an agreement on maintaining control of the widespread and lucrative illicit gold mining taking place in Tigray. These sources say Getachew’s faction lacks access to the gold site or other kinds of leverage, leaving it unable to assert itself in Tigray’s transactional politics.