March 18, 2025

Tigray _ Ethiopian news _ Getachew

Borkena

Toronto – Getachew Reda, President of Tigray Interim Administration, had a highly rated , and revealing interview with Reyot Media this week. 

He discussed several issues related to the ongoing political tension in the region – which many fear could lead to a military conflict. 

Of about 13 billion birr Federal transfer to the region under this fiscal year, eight billion birr was spent on the regional forces in just seven months. 

Sheger cited him as saying public servants in the region were unable to receive their salaries. There were reports of public servants in the region over unpaid salaries but the reasons why they did not receive their salaries were unclear. 

Another key information Getachew revealed ( or rather confirmed) during his interview with Reyot Media is that the region has over 270,000 armed soldiers, 

According to the Pretoria Agreement  – which ended the two years war between TPLF led Tigray regional administration and the Federal government under Abiy Ahmed – was the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the armed combatants who were mobilized as “Tigray Defense Force.”

Tension development in the region after the two factions started what appears to be a power struggle to control regional government power. The Interim administration in the region is a Pretoria Agreement arrangement under the Federal government. Getachew Reda has been leading the administration as president for two years now. This week, he was reportedly removed from power after the faction under Debretsion Gebremichael took action with support from military leaders. However, Getachew Reda denies that he is removed from power. 

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