TPLF, in a controversial move, today reinstated Debretsion Gebremichael as Tigray President. Tigray’s sole influential political party, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), has been at loggerheads with the Ethiopian federal government for over a year.
In September 2020, regional election was held in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. As a result of the election, Tigray Regional State Council was formed and Debretsion Gebremichael was chosen as the regional president of Tigray. However, the election was rejected by the Ethiopian federal government. Ethiopian parliament declared the election null and void. In November 2020, war broke out between Tigray regional forces and the Ethiopian federal forces which were supported by the Eritrean military. After two years of deadly war, in November 2022, warring parties signed Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) called Pretoria Deal. Pretoria Agreement stipulates that 2020 election in Tigray was null and void.
In March 2023, TPLF leader Getachew Reda was appointed as Tigray Interim President by the Ethiopian Prime Minister. The appointment was made in consultation with TPLF. In late 2024 and early 2025, tensions again rose between TPLF and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. Getachew Reda was removed by TPLF in March 2025. He was removed from the party too. He fled to Addis Ababa and established his own political party.
In March 2025, TPLF recommended the name of Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede to be the President of Tigray. The Prime Minister appointed Tadesse Werede as Tigray President for one year. Last month, when Tigray President Tadesse Werede’s term expired, Ethiopian Prime Minister extended his term for one more year. However, TPLF rejected the extension. saying the federal government did not have any consultation with TPLF about the extension.
In a controversial move today, TPLF restored the regional council which was elected as a result of election in 2020. The council held a session in Mekelle Tigray today. Debretsion Gebremichael, who is TPLF chairman too, has been elected / restored as Tigray President. Mrs. Kiros Hagos and Mrs. Mihret Berhe have been elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the regional council respectively.
Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, whose term as Tigray President was extended for one more year by the Ethiopian Prime Minister last month, has been removed today by the TPLF. The restoration of 2020 regional council, removal of President Tadesse Werede, and reinstatement of Debretsion Gebremichael as Tigray President will worsen the ongoing tensions between TPLF and Federal Government. US, EU, African Union have been warning about the threat of resumption of war in Ethiopia. They are urging TPLF and Federal Government of Ethiopia to solve issues through dialogue. But the two rivals have largely been out of touch in recent months.
