Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced that a high-ranking representative from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) will now serve as the leader of the temporary Tigray regional administration.
Getachew Reda, a former minister of communications in the government of Hailemariam Desalegn, has been appointed to the position. The move comes after the Ethiopian parliament recently removed the TPLF from the list of terrorist organizations, with many viewing this as an effort to strengthen the peace agreement reached in November 2022 between the federal government and the TPLF.
The TPLF, which had once been a major force in Ethiopian politics, was declared a terrorist organization in November 2020, following the start of the Tigray war six months prior.
The conflict, which began as a political struggle, quickly turned into an armed conflict that saw Tigray rebels face off against the Ethiopian federal government. The TPLF-led government of Tigray was eventually overthrown, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in the region.
During the conflict, the Tigray region was subjected to significant damage, leaving many without basic necessities such as food, fuel, cash, and medicines. The conflict also led to allegations of human rights abuses on both sides, including reports of civilian massacres, sexual violence, and forced displacement.
Despite several peace agreements, the conflict continued to rage on until November 2022, when a peace accord was reached in Pretoria. As part of the agreement, the TPLF agreed to disarmament in exchange for the reopening of Tigray, which had been mostly cut off from the outside world during the conflict. Aid deliveries, including food, fuel, cash, and medicines, have been partially restored to the region since the agreement, but the situation in Tigray remains fragile.
The appointment of Reda as the leader of the temporary Tigray regional administration is seen as a significant step towards reconciliation between the TPLF and the federal government.
Reda, who acted as an adviser to the leader of the TPLF, Debretsion Gebremichael, is a well-respected figure in Tigray and has been involved in the political landscape of Ethiopia for many years.
However, some have criticized the appointment, arguing that it is a sign of weakness on the part of the federal government.
The TPLF has been accused of numerous human rights cases of abuse during the conflict, and many are concerned that its involvement in the regional administration could lead to further instability.
In a statement released on Thursday, Ahmed defended the appointment, stating that it was part of a broader effort to ensure that all communities in Tigray are represented in the administration. Ahmed also reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the Tigray region receives the support it needs to recover from the conflict.
The appointment of Reda comes at a crucial time for Ethiopia, which has been plagued by ethnic tensions and political instability in recent years. In addition to the conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia has also been grappling with unrest in other regions, including Oromia and Amhara.
Despite the challenges, Ahmed has remained optimistic about the future of Ethiopia, stating that he is committed to promoting unity and reconciliation across the country. The appointment of Reda is seen by many as a significant step towards achieving this goal, and it remains to be seen what impact it will have on the future of Ethiopia and the Tigray region in particular.
Image Credit: Getachew Reda/Twitter
