In an effort to address growing tensions in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on March 26 plans to appoint a new leader for the area.
The move follows a recent power struggle within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which governs the region. Getachew Reda, the interim president of Tigray, fled to Addis Ababa earlier this month after internal infighting within the TPLF leadership. Prime Minister Abiy, in an unprecedented move, invited Tigrayans to suggest potential candidates for the new leader via email, as part of his strategy to resolve the crisis and avoid a return to civil war.
The turmoil in Tigray is rooted in the aftermath of the devastating 2020-2022 civil war, which resulted in the loss of an estimated 500,000 lives. The peace agreement, known as the Pretoria Agreement, ended the brutal conflict and led to the establishment of an interim administration in Tigray, with the aim of holding elections. However, leadership disputes have hindered progress, with Getachew Reda’s administration struggling to create conditions conducive to elections. Prime Minister Abiy acknowledged the need for a new leadership structure and extended the mandate of the interim administration for another year, urging Tigrayans to participate in the selection process.
While some experts see this as an opportunity for a resolution, others have criticised the move. Teklit Gebremeskel, a law expert, suggested that the decision could pave the way for a peaceful reconfiguration of the region’s leadership, fostering unity. However, opposition member Hailu Kebede warned that the prime minister’s actions could undermine self-governance and jeopardise the Pretoria Agreement. The power struggle has raised concerns internationally, with the US, UK, and the European Union urging all parties to avoid renewed violence.