The fragile peace secured in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is now in jeopardy, as political divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), combined with federal government interventions, threaten to unravel the Pretoria Peace Agreement signed in November 2022.
At the heart of the crisis is an escalating internal power struggle within the TPLF. Two rival factions — one led by interim regional president Getachew Reda and the other by longtime party chairman Debretsion Gebremichael — are locked in a contest for control over Tigray’s political future. The dispute has paralyzed governance, eroded confidence in the transitional administration, and undermined the delivery of key components of the peace deal, such as disarmament and resettlement of displaced populations.
Adding to the turmoil, Ethiopia’s National Election Board announced in March that it had officially deregistered the TPLF as a political party, citing failure to hold mandated internal elections. The TPLF has fiercely contested the move, arguing that it violates the terms of the Pretoria Agreement, which recognized the party’s role in the peace process and ensured its participation in transitional governance. The TPLF has since appealed to the African Union, requesting urgent diplomatic intervention to reverse what it calls an unconstitutional action by the federal government.
In a significant leadership shake-up, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has replaced Getachew Reda with General Tadesse Worede as head of the interim administration in Tigray. Worede, a respected former deputy regional president and senior TPLF military commander, is seen as a more neutral figure capable of restoring order and bridging the widening rift within the party. His appointment comes at a critical juncture, with expectations high for renewed momentum in the return of displaced civilians, reconstruction, and demobilization efforts.
International observers have expressed growing concern over the viability of the peace accord, which ended a devastating two-year civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The African Union, which brokered the 2022 agreement, has urged all parties to recommit to dialogue and to respect the political framework established under the accord.
“The peace in Tigray remains delicate,” said an AU spokesperson in a recent statement. “Any action that undermines the inclusivity and stability of the interim administration could have far-reaching consequences for the entire Horn of Africa.”
As Ethiopia faces the twin challenges of political reconciliation and economic recovery, the fate of Tigray has once again become a litmus test for the federal government’s ability to preserve unity while addressing deep-rooted grievances. The coming months will be decisive in determining whether Ethiopia can navigate these tensions and solidify its transition toward lasting peace.
