The TPLF group led by re-elected chair Debretsion Gebremichael has decided, in its concluded Congress, to bring its request for recognition as a party and the legitimacy of its Congress—deemed illegal by the National Election Board of Ethiopia—to the AU Panel of the Ethiopia Peace Process. This panel, which facilitated the Pretoria Agreement, has been from time to time overseeing the implementation of Pretoria Agreement and addressing disagreements between the Ethiopian Government and the TPLF, the signatories of the agreement. The resolution passed at the Congress labeled the TPLF faction led by Getachew Reda as treasonous and betrayers.
The TPLF Congress led by Debretsion Gebremichael purged Getachew Reda’s group from the party while offering an opportunity for those who were absent from the Congress, either unwillingly or unknowingly, to rejoin if they submit a written request. The Congress also rejected the establishment of the Advisory Council by the Interim Government, which will be created in place of the Tigray regional council disbanded by the Pretoria Agreement, as well as other initiatives it described as “elite-driven” and unacceptable.
Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Tigray’s largest political party, has split in two rival groups. One is led by newly elected chairman Debretsion Gebremichael and the other by Tigray Interim President Getachew Reda. National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) rejected TPLF Debretsion Group congress, calling it illegal. NEBE, it seems, won’t recognize the decisions made at the congress. TPLF Getachew Reda Group has also rejected the decisions made at Debretsion group congress.
Debretsion Group in a week long congress, which ended yesterday, elected new chairman, deputy chairman, central & executive committee members and central control commission members. The TPLF Debretsion Group elected a 9 member executive committee, 45 member central committee and 9 member central control commission.
The newly elected TPLF Central Committee includes 10 women, reduced from 13 in the outgoing Central Committee. Three women who are not part of the new Central Committee—Yalem Tsegay, Genet Arefe, and Almaz Gebretsadik—are currently serving as cabinet members in the Interim Administration.
Of the 16 cabinet members representing the TPLF in the Interim Administration, 12 including the President were part of the outgoing Central Committee. However, eight of these 11 either joined Getachew Reda’s group or were not re-elected. The three exceptions who remain in the newly elected Central Committee are Amaniel Assefa, Kiros Guesh, and Freweini Gerezgiher.
The cabinet members of the Interim Administration who were TPLF CC members are:
Mr. Getachew Reda – President
Mr. Beyene Mikru – Transitional Economy
Dr. Hagos Godifay – Collection, Resource Management, and Planning
Prof. Kindeya G/Hiwot – Social Development Transition Plan
Yalem Tsegay – Infrastructure
Mr. Amaniel Assefa – Coordinator of C/C
Dr. Eyasu Abrha – Agricultural and Natural Resources Development
Dr. Kiros Guesh – Tigray Education
Dr. Emmanuel Haile – Tigray Health
Ms. Genet Arefe – Technical and Main Education and Training
Ms. Almaz Gebretsadik – Development and Construction
Ms. Freweini Gerezgiher – Women’s Affairs.
Tigray Interim President Rejects General Werede’s Decisions