The key facts

  • The new interim administration of Tigray, led by Assefa Abraha Hagos, must restore stability and prepare elections within six months.
  • The decision followed the TPLF's September offensive and allied groups; federal forces retook Mekelle.
  • The TPLF rejected the appointment; Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, which Asmara denies.

New Interim Administration and Its Tasks

The government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Friday the appointment of a new interim administration for the northern Tigray region, the Anadolu agency reported. According to the outlet, the House of Federation approved the suspension of the powers of the previous transitional administration, paving the way for a new structure under federal oversight. The administration has been given six months to restore stability, state institutions, and organize elections. A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said the people of Tigray must emerge from the 'agony of conflict,' reclaim their right to self-governance, and overcome developmental setbacks. Deutsche Welle quotes Abiy's remarks on X about the need to break the 'cycle of conflict' for the sake of peace, self-governance, and development.

Key Appointments

Assefa Abraha Hagos has been appointed chief administrator; Tewodros Aregey Wolde Selassie will oversee economic recovery and reconstruction. Brigadier General Gebretnsae Watna Haylu is in charge of security and peace, Redai Halefom Wolde Selassie — for political affairs and mass mobilization. Shishay Amare has been appointed mayor of the regional capital Mekelle. According to Anadolu, the administration's tasks include restoring basic services, repairing war-damaged infrastructure, facilitating the return of displaced persons, and preparing 'free and fair elections' within the six-month deadline. The administration must also coordinate with federal security structures, promote the return of armed fighters to civilian life, and operate under federal leadership until a new government is elected.

Context of the Resumed Hostilities

The decision followed the resumption of fighting between federal troops and forces linked to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which threatened the fragile peace under the Pretoria agreement of November 2022. According to DW, in September the TPLF and six other armed groups launched an offensive against Abiy's government, but federal forces repelled the offensive and retook control of strongholds, including Mekelle and several strategic towns near the border with Eritrea. Anadolu reports that federal troops and allied fighters of the 'Tigray Peace Forces' (TPF) expanded control across the region.

TPLF Reaction and Accusations Against Eritrea

The TPLF has not yet officially reacted to the announcement, DW notes. However, TPLF Vice President Amanuel Assefa told AFP that the region 'cannot be governed by puppets of a genocidal regime' in Addis Ababa. Earlier, the TPLF in a Facebook post called Tigrayans cooperating with the federal government 'traitors' who face 'accountability and public trial.' The Prime Minister's Office, according to DW, stated that 'repeated attempts' to resolve the conflict had failed, the TPLF leadership 'did not want peace' and launched the latest 'destructive war.' Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting the TPLF; Asmara denies this and, according to DW, claims that Addis Ababa is using the conflict to justify military action aimed at seizing the Red Sea port of Assab.

International Reaction and Humanitarian Situation

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a phone call with Abiy, called for de-escalation, warned against cross-border incursions, and urged respect for the sovereignty of neighboring countries, Anadolu reports. According to DW, more than 600,000 people died in the 2020–2022 civil war, and the region still faces a large number of internally displaced persons. Anadolu notes that Tigray remains deeply affected by the aftermath of that war — widespread destruction, mass displacement, and a humanitarian crisis.