May 11, 2025
Borkena
Toronto -In a recent interview with Woine Media, Debretsion Gebremichael detailed his faction’s actions following their controversial 14th party congress, which lacked recognition from Ethiopia’s National Electoral Board. Most significantly, he revealed the expulsion of Getachew Reda’s faction for allegedly violating party rules, resulting in their removal from the TPLF central committee and Tigray’s Interim Administration.
Furthermore, Debretsion warned about lingering supporters of Getachew in “southern Tigray” (Raya), stating his faction would soon decide on actions against them. This internal purge comes as Getachew’s loyalists and opposition groups like Salsay Weyane increasingly accuse interim administrator Tadesse Worede of being a Debretsion supporter.
Moreover, Debretsion raised the stakes by vowing to use all remaining powers of his party (his party does not have a legal authority at this point except military power) to restore what he called Tigray’s “territorial integrity.” This controversial plan, which could bring the TPLF into direct conflict with both the federal government and Amhara region, was framed as necessary for returning displaced people to their homes before the approaching rainy season.
Specifically, the territorial claims refer to Wolkait and Raya – areas incorporated into Tigray in 1993, two years after the TPLF took control of Ethiopia’s central government. While the TPLF maintains these areas as “sovereign Tigrayan territory under constitutional provisions”, Amhara groups argue they were never properly consulted and that the constitution was exclusionary.
Meanwhile, in Wolkait, local communities have maintained control for about four years now reclaiming their identity. The “Ye Tekeze Zeb” armed group is organized in the event of a military action from TPLF. These forces have repeatedly expressed their determination to defend the territory against any TPLF attempts at reconquest.
At the same time, Debretsion emphasized the urgency of returning displaced Tigrayans, including those in Sudan, before what would be their fifth rainy season in displacement. He placed full blame for the ongoing crisis on the federal government, while also citing the suspension of U.S. aid as worsening conditions.
However, federal authorities and opposition groups in Tigray have been accusing the TPLF of collaborating with external forces to reignite conflict in the region. Interim leader Tadesse Worede himself recently warned about the dangers of improper foreign relations for Tigray’s stability.
Despite these escalating tensions, the federal government has yet to comment on recent developments in Tigray following Worede’s appointment approximately one month ago, leaving many questions unanswered about the region’s fragile political situation.
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