As tensions escalate in Tigray, the region’s Interim President, Getachew Reda, has issued a stark warning about alleged efforts to create instability by a faction led by former Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) Chairman, Debretsion Gebremichael. In an official letter addressed to Vice President and Coordinator for Peace and Security, General Tadesse Woreda, Getachew condemned unauthorized military movements and called for immediate action to prevent further unrest.

The letter, dated March 5, explicitly accuses elements within the army leadership of backing an illegal assembly organized by the Debretsion faction. Among those copied in the letter are Maj. Gen. Yohannes Woldegiorigis and Maj. Gen. Masho Beyene, who are allegedly supporting the group’s attempt to assert power through unofficial channels.

Military Involvement in Political Factionalism?

According to the letter, military units have been deployed in various districts in a manner that threatens public security and undermines the chain of command. The Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) President warned that such actions could incite internal conflict and make the region vulnerable to external threats.

The government also accused certain factions of orchestrating a “destructive movement” set to take place in the South, Southeast, Mekelle, and Eastern Tigray under the leadership of TPLF figures loyal to Debretsion. The letter states that the humiliation and suffering inflicted in the north, as well as in the west and central regions, are already well known. The warning suggests that, if left unchecked, these activities could plunge the region into renewed chaos.

Maj. Gen. Yohannes Woldegiorigis’ Public Appearance Raises Concerns

In a related development, Maj. Gen. Yohannes Woldegiorigis was seen speaking at a gathering organized by the Debretsion-aligned faction in the same week the letter was issued. His participation in the assembly has raised further questions about the involvement of high-ranking military officials in the faction’s activities.

His expressed support for the faction signals a widening rift within the Tigrayan leadership. The appearance of a senior military figure at such an event only reinforces Getachew Reda’s concerns regarding unauthorized political maneuvering within the army leadership.

Call for Immediate Action

The letter demands an urgent halt to these activities, instructing General Tadesse Woreda, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, to take decisive action against officers who fail to comply.

The Interim Administration maintains that “no military movement should take place outside the government’s command” and that security forces must remain neutral and focused on protecting the people of Tigray rather than engaging in political disputes.

What’s Next?

With divisions becoming increasingly evident within Tigray’s political and military leadership, the coming days will be critical in determining whether TIRA can maintain stability. If the alleged power struggle within the TPLF escalates further, it could have far-reaching consequences for the region’s fragile peace process.