TPLF Central Committee Convenes In Axum As Administrative Rift Deepens | The Reporter Ethiopia

A high stakes meeting of the proscribed Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) Central Committee in Axum is intensifying fears of a political rupture in Tigray, with mounting indications that the party could move to reject the region’s interim administration and push to restore its pre-war government structure.

The meeting, which began on April 15, 2026, is widely expected to focus on the fallout from the extension of Interim Administration President Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede’s mandate, an issue that has exposed a widening divide between TPLF and the current regional leadership.

Though the TPLF refrained from explicitly stating that its central committee meeting would focus on the TIA president, it has confirmed that it is convening a formal session, stating that the meeting, launched on this Wednesday is expected to deliberate “in depth” on key agenda items and evolving political developments, with concrete directions and decisions anticipated.

Regional political leaders who spoke to The Reporter maintain that the language is deliberately vague, noting that when a party at this level signals “decisions,” it usually means internal consensus has already been shaped and the meeting is about formalizing a course of action, not debating one.

Politicians and observers say the gathering could produce decisions that directly challenge the legitimacy of the interim administration, raising the risk of renewed confrontation with the federal government.

Yosef Berhe, vice chairman of the Baytona Party, expressed his belief that the TPLF is seeking to dismantle the interim arrangement and reinstate the pre-war regional government. He warned that the party may formally reject the president’s appointment and begin moves to reassert its former authority.

“They could declare that they do not accept the president and proceed to restore the previous government,” he said.

However, he also suggested that TPLF is unlikely to make such a move outright, given the risk of triggering another conflict. Instead, he predicts its central committee may attempt to frame the push as a grassroots demand originating from local councils, a strategy the politician says has already been used in parts of the Central Zone, where three woreda councils have called for the dissolution of the interim administration.

“This is often presented as public pressure, but it is coordinated,” he said, adding that ambiguous statements could be used to gradually undermine the current administration without directly escalating tensions.

He also noted that TPLF often frames such moves as public demands and may issue ambiguous statements to create pressure on the interim administration, similar to what occurred during Getachew Reda’s tenure. According to him, they may avoid directly rejecting Tadesse but instead argue that his appointment process is illegitimate.

Alemseged Aragay, vice chairman and foreign relations head of Tigray Independence Party (TIP), warns that the situation has reached a dangerous turning point. While he believes that TIA President Lt. Tadesse had previously aligned with TPLF’s interests, the party has now shifted to openly rejecting the extension of his tenure.

He stated that he believes the TIA President had for long been implementing TPLF’s interests over the past year. However, he noted that TPLF has now declared the president’s power extension as illegal and unacceptable, “raising the possibility of renewed conflict.”

Although there are many factors that could lead to war, Alemseged emphasized that the region is not in a position to endure another round of conflict. He added that if TPLF rejects the president, it is unlikely that relations with the federal government will remain stable.

“The region is not in a position to carry another round of war,” he said.

The controversy follows an announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister on April 8 that the term of Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, who had led the Tigray Interim Administration for one year, has been extended by another year.

Following this extension, numerous reactions have emerged. In particular, TPLF stated that the extension violates the Pretoria Agreement and lacks legitimacy, fueling widespread reports claiming that there is a growing rift between the president and TPLF.

President Tadesse also gave a briefing this week addressing these and related issues. In his remarks, he revealed that the budget allocated to the Tigray region had been cut off since October and that relations with the federal government had been severed for the past three months.

He explained that although an agreement had previously been reached to ease tensions following developments in Tselemt (a contested area between the TIA and Amhara regional government), there had been no communication with the federal government for about three months, except at the level of offices and ministries.

Regarding opposition to the extension of his term, he said, “Saying ‘we do not accept it’ is a matter of rights, so there is nothing I can do about it.” However, he added that rejecting the appointment itself is not acceptable, describing such a stance as “childish.”

Responding to criticism about traveling alone to Addis Ababa, he said, “Tigray’s politics is difficult; it has become like a husband and wife who do not trust each other and quarrel.”

He then stated that although he would have preferred to travel with cabinet members, he was uncertain how they would be received.

The president also acknowledged that there is interest in restoring the pre-war government and regional council but stressed that any process must follow legal and institutional procedures. He warned that “attempting to change government through social media agitation and unrest” is not only incorrect but could lead to conflict.

“The people of Tigray have had enough of war. I have fought for more than 50 years; I am not someone who acts simply because I am told to do so,” said Tadesse.

Former fighters and TPLF central committee members have also voiced opposition through the TPLF-affiliated Woyen newspaper, arguing that the appointment violates the Pretoria Agreement and that the region should not be governed by what they described as a “puppet” administration.

They stated that appointing leadership in violation of the agreement indicates a lack of commitment to peace and that restoring the former government would help return the region to its previous status.

The TPLF has then began its meeting in Axum on Wednesday  as political actors and observers say this signals growing pressure on Tadesse’s administration and suggest he may face a fate similar to that of Getachew Reda.

For his part, the president reiterated that while there is interest in restoring the former government, all actions must follow legal procedures.