Office of the President of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration Condemns Army Leaders ‘s “attempt to dissolve the interim administration, disband the army, and sow anarchy”

UMD Media, January 23, 2025

The Office of the President of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration has issued a strong statement condemning what it described as an attempt by senior leaders of the Tigray Army to dissolve the interim administration, disband the army, and sow anarchy. The statement alleges that the actions align with an illegal group and are entirely outside the army’s mission and mandate. The statement of the Office of the President came hours after the senior leaders of the army issued a resolution in the presence of the press.

The Office of the President called the move “totally unacceptable” and criticized the use of the so-called “Army Leadership Orientation Program” to justify actions that deviate from the intended purpose of the Tigray Army. The statement described the declaration by the army’s top commanders as an “unusual act” that lacks both legal and moral justification, and it confirmed that the interim administration was not aware of the decision.

Emergency Meeting Called by Interim Cabinet

In response to what it referred to as an explicit effort that jeopardizes the Pretoria Agreement, the TIRA has called an emergency cabinet meeting to address the issue. The administration pledged to provide a detailed explanation to the public after assessing the situation.

“The actions of the army commanders are not only irresponsible but also put the safety of our people and the unity of our security forces at risk,” the statement emphasized. The administration called for an immediate halt to the “irresponsible decision” and warned of its potential to endanger the stability and security of the Tigray Region.

Call to Reject Illegal Orders

The statement also urged all security forces to reject the decision made by the army commanders, calling it illegal and a direct threat to the region’s fragile peace and unity. The Office of the President reiterated its commitment to ensuring the security of the Tigrayan people and upholding the terms of the Pretoria Agreement.

This latest development adds tension to an already complex post-conflict recovery process in Tigray. The Office of the President has warned that the unity and stability of the region could be at risk if these actions are not addressed immediately. Further updates are expected following the emergency cabinet meeting.