Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced plans to appoint a new leader for the Tigray region, urging Tigrayans to submit candidate suggestions via email. This move comes as tensions escalate following the ousting of interim President Getachew Reda, sparking fears of renewed conflict in the war-ravaged region.
Getachew Reda, who was appointed as part of the Pretoria Agreement that ended the brutal 2020-22 civil war, fled to Addis Ababa earlier this month amid a power struggle within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The faction led by former leader Debretsion Gebremichael took control of the regional administration, deepening internal divisions and raising concerns about the region’s stability.
Prime Minister Abiy stated that the interim administration had failed to establish conditions for elections, necessitating the extension of its mandate by another year. By involving the public in the selection process, Abiy aims to stabilize the political turmoil in Tigray. However, critics argue that this move threatens the self-governance of the region and undermines the Pretoria Agreement.
Hailu Kebede, a member of the opposition, warned that the prime minister’s decision sets a dangerous precedent. “If the prime minister can appoint a president in Tigray, he can do so elsewhere,” he noted, suggesting that the federal government may exert more control over regional administrations.
Tigray has struggled to recover since the peace deal, facing delays in demobilizing TPLF forces and ongoing humanitarian crises. The international community, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, has expressed concern over the power struggle, stressing the importance of avoiding a return to violence.
Prime Minister Abiy acknowledged that Ethiopia’s military is stretched thin due to ongoing conflicts in the Oromia and Amhara regions. Addressing parliament last week, he reaffirmed his commitment to peace, stating, “My answer is peace.”
With the region still reeling from a war that claimed an estimated 500,000 lives, the success of Abiy’s strategy remains uncertain. His decision could either provide a path to stability or further inflame tensions in Tigray and beyond.
