Handover Of A Burning Baton: Tadesse Werede Takes Helm In Tigray

Getachew Reda was a staunch critic of Abiy Ahmed during the two-year war

A two-year administrative vacuum and months of an increasingly tense scramble for power in post-war Tigray have seemingly culminated with Lieutenant General Tadesse Wrede, commander of the region’s security forces, taking charge of the embattled Tigray Interim Administration.

This week, Tadesse replaced outgoing President Getachew Reda, whose tenure was marked by political feuds and a losing struggle to assume full control of the region.

Getachew now serves as an advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Tadesse, who was Getachew’s deputy in the TIA and head of the regional cabinet secretariat, secured the top administrative position through his status as head of the Tigray security forces, commonly known as Tigray Defense Forces (TDF).

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His ascension has been received positively by members of the public, who want to see the return of constitutional order in Tigray, and by senior members of the TDF, the faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) led by Debretsion Gebremichael, and the federal government.

In a social media statement, the Prime Minister asserted confidence in the new TIA President’s ability to understand the region’s challenges and strengths.

During the swearing-in ceremony on April 8, 2025, the new President signed a document outlining his administration’s primary responsibilities.

Among the eight items listed are commitments to work towards the return of nearly one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Tigray and to bring about a swift conclusion of the disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation of ex-combatants in accordance with the Pretoria Agreement.

The TIA is charged with ensuring the rule and enforcement of law while coordinating the massive task of rebuilding the war-torn region.

The document also states the interim administration will immediately end any unconstitutional and illegal activities and affiliations that deviate from the constitutional and legal orders, national sovereignty or the provisions of the Pretoria agreement.

The clause would compel Tadesse and his administration to end informal relations and affiliations that could affect the national interest, such as those that have allegedly transpired between members of the TPLF and the Eritrean government.

Getachew, who harshly criticized Tadesse for TIA failures over the past two years during an interview with BBC this week, has previously claimed the TPLF faction led by Debretsion has established working relations with Asmara.

The one-page agreement has also authorized TIA to lay the groundwork for democratic elections.

Tadesse officially began his duties on Thursday with a cabinet meeting that laid out “strategic directions and operational guidance”, according to reports.

The newly-appointed President emphasized the need to stabilize the region following months of political turmoil and to stride towards post-war economic recovery and ensure peace and security.

“The full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement stands at the center of all our efforts,” he said.

During the cabinet meeting, Tadesse signaled an upcoming reshuffle at the highest levels of the TIA but refrained from revealing the details of the changes underway.

His appointment and subsequent announcements have been welcomed by the Debretsion and other members of the TPLF, who have pledged their support and expressed readiness to cooperate with the TIA under its new leadership.

Speaking at an event honoring the new President, the TPLF Chairman said the regional administration should focus on its core missions: reinstating Tigray’s constitutional autonomy, safeguarding its territorial integrity, returning IDPs to their place of origin, and ensuring a swift transition to an elected regional government.

“We are fully prepared to work with the TIA and ensure that it achieves its foundational objectives,” said Debretsion.

Gebru Asrat, a former TPLF member who served as president of Tigray Regional State for the decade leading up to 2001, has doubts over the genuineness of the warm welcome.

“The challenge so far has been the region’s security forces not submitting to the administration and its political power. These things have been said before,” said Gebru, who is also a founding member of the opposition Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty party.

“The TPLF faction led by Debretsion has repeatedly stated that it does not want a swift implementation of DDR and there are also allegations it is obstructing the process. Therefore, one of the challenges for the new President will be that leaders of the party splinter group recognize that if the issues of disarmament and return of IDPs are resolved, they will no longer be able to utilize the agenda to their benefit. I do not believe they will accept the Lieutenant General’s move towards these goals.”

Gebru characterizes Tigray’s present state as “anarchy”, pointing to widespread illicit gold mining, land grabbing, and human trafficking, which he says have created “very favorable conditions” for corrupt officials and their associates.

“I don’t think they want to have a reliable system. The issue of disarmament is an especially great concern as these groups investing in illicit mining have only managed to do what they do because they are armed,” he said.

The senior political figure urges the TIA and federal government to work out a mechanism for guarantees on what happens after disarmament.

He sees public concern about potential attacks or invasion from Eritrea or the federal government as the biggest obstacle to DDR implementation in Tigray.

“What happens if armed forces enter the region after DDR is completed? The people consider all these possibilities. A system of guarantees is essential,” he said.