Tensions Deepen in Tigray as Salsay Weyane Rejects New TIRA Cabinet: A Tale of Two Factions, a Fractured Peace
April 23, 2025
By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa,Ethiopia
The political rift in Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray region has taken a new turn following the announcement of a fresh cabinet by the recently appointed president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA), Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede. In a press release issued today the opposition party Salsay Woyane Tigray rejected the newly formed cabinet, accusing the administration of deepening factionalism and sidelining inclusive governance.
“This illegitimate cabinet is fundamentally incapable of fostering a genuinely open political space or creating the necessary conditions for free, fair, and peaceful elections,” the statement reads.
Salsay Weyane’s statement signals growing dissatisfaction within the Tigrayan political landscape, emphasizing what it calls the “TPLF’s dominance over TIRA”—a grave concern for parties like Salsay Weyane, which has simmered since the signing of the Pretoria Agreement in 2022. The agreement aimed to end the brutal two-year war between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), establishing a transitional interim administration intended to be inclusive and representative of the region’s diverse political actors.
Getachew Reda, a former federal minister and prominent TPLF figure, was appointed president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) in 2023. His leadership was initially seen as a conciliatory move, aimed at bridging gaps between the warring factions and moving toward peaceful regional elections. However, his administration quickly came under fire for what critics described as political exclusivity and a failure to create an open democratic space.
Despite these criticisms, Getachew remained a central figure in the post-war transition. Following his recent resignation from the TIRA presidency, he was appointed as the Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the Horn of Africa—an influential role that signals both his continued political relevance and the federal government’s interest in leveraging his experience in regional diplomacy. This development has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a strategic move to ease tensions between the federal center and Tigray, while others see it as part of the broader political realignment within the TPLF.
Within TPLF itself, Getachew Reda’s leadership marked the rise of a new, somewhat reformist faction that sought to open TPLF’s doors to broader participation. However, his efforts appear to have alienated hardline traditionalists led by long-time TPLF chairman Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael. Analysts say this internal power struggle within the TPLF ultimately weakened Getachew’s grip on the administration.
His removal earlier this month and the appointment of Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede—a renowned military leader and former ENDF Northern Command commander—signaled a pivot back toward TPLF’s old guard. While Tadesse’s military credentials earned him respect during the conflict, critics now question whether his cabinet choices reflect a continuation of exclusionary politics.
“To our profound dismay, the new TIRA president has unilaterally appointed a cabinet, completely excluding all other stakeholders,” Salsay Weyane declared. “This cabinet… is composed entirely of members of a single TPLF faction.”
The cabinet formed under Tadesse Werede is reportedly dominated by loyalists from the Debretsion faction, sidelining individuals aligned with Getachew Reda and other non-TPLF groups. This move has sparked outrage among opposition parties and civil society actors who had hoped for a more pluralistic approach under the Pretoria Agreement’s mandate.
Salsay Woyane Tigray, a vocal opposition party that has consistently criticized TPLF’s hegemony, warns that the exclusion of alternative voices risks entrenching a “moribund political entity.”
“Such an administration is not only incapable of serving the needs of the Tigrayan people but will also serve as a tool to entrench the power of a moribund political entity,” the party wrote.
The group further accuses the new cabinet of dismantling institutions meant to ensure fair elections and democratic transparency, raising concerns that the next phase of Tigray’s governance could resemble a de facto one-party state.
The internal conflict between TPLF factions and the broader exclusion of other political groups threatens to derail the fragile peace process. Analysts warn that continued power consolidation under TPLF hardliners could lead to renewed unrest or even conflict, as excluded groups grow increasingly disillusioned.
Salsay Weyane’s call to action urges the federal government and international stakeholders to step in and “uphold the spirit of the Pretoria Agreement” by ensuring the interim administration reflects a genuinely inclusive platform.
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