UMD Media, January 1, 2025
The ongoing power struggle between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) headquarters in Hawelti and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) headquarters in Dejen, Mekelle, has brought General Tadesse Werede to the center of attention. Serving as both the vice president of TIRA and the commander of the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF), General Tadesse plays a critical role in determining the trajectory of this political tension.
Repeated attempts by Debretsion Gebremichael’s TPLF faction to replace TIRA President Getachew Reda leading the second TPLF faction with Debretsion himself and to purge Getachew and his allies from the TIRA leadership have been thwarted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Debretsion’s latest proposal, currently awaiting Abiy’s response, seeks to appoint Tadesse Werede as TIRA president, install a vice president from Debretsion’s camp, and secure the faction’s 50+1 majority control of the TIRA cabinet. Analysts view this as an effort to align the TDF with Debretsion’s faction rather than the TIRA leadership under Getachew Reda.
TIRA’s Leadership Structure
General Tadesse Werede entered TIRA not as a TPLF representative but as a delegate of the TDF. The second vice president, Tsadkan Gebretensae, represents the scholars’ group, highlighting TIRA’s original attempt to balance diverse representation. Of TIRA’s 27 cabinet members, 14 are from the TPLF, 4 from the TDF, 6 from the scholars’ group, 2 from the opposition party Baytona, and 1 from the Irob minority group.
Controversies Surrounding General Tadesse
Critics accuse Tadesse of intentionally fostering dysfunction within TIRA, a claim at odds with his responsibilities as a leader. Additionally, several pro-TIRA rallies and meetings have reportedly been disrupted or prohibited by security forces under his command. When questioned about the TDF’s stance, Tadesse has avoided stating that the TDF is accountable to TIRA.
Political Alliances and Power Plays
Alem Gebrewahid, a senior cadre of Debretsion’s faction, recently claimed that the TDF leadership has agreed to collaborate with Debretsion’s camp while refusing to recognize other TPLF factions. However, these claims lack independent verification, and the extent of any cooperation between the TDF and Debretsion’s faction remains uncertain.
What Lies Ahead
As the power dynamics in the Tigray regional administration continue to evolve, General Tadesse Werede’s role remains pivotal. With the potential to tip the balance, his decisions will likely shape the outcome of this political standoff. The stance of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed—who approved Getachew Reda’s appointment in March 2023—on the Debretsion faction’s latest proposal may soon become clear, given the faction’s reference to a forthcoming meeting.
This high-stakes political drama underscores the complexities of leadership and allegiance within Tigray, with General Tadesse at the heart of the unfolding crisis.
