Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged the Tigray region to nominate a new leader, seeking to de-escalate political strife and avert further conflict.
This call arrives amidst escalating internal disputes within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The party is deeply divided, with interim President Getachew Reda facing resistance from loyalists of former leader Debretsion Gebremichael.
Armed forces aligned with Gebremichael have seized strategic towns, raising fears of renewed violence in the region.TPLF’s internal power struggle intensified last year, with efforts to oust Reda and his cabinet.
Earlier this month, TPLF soldiers seized key towns like Adigrat, forcing Reda to flee. He labeled the events a “coup.”
Analyst William Davison warns that a leadership change may only provide temporary relief. He believes that “Tigray’s new leaders will struggle to regain lost territories, and any failure to do so could lead to further instability.”
Ahmed’s social media announcement on Wednesday sparked immediate backlash from the TPLF. Deputy Chair Amanuel Assefa accused the Prime Minister of violating the cessation of hostilities agreement.
The TPLF has endorsed Lt. Gen. Tadesse Worede, a military strategist, as their candidate. Assefa questioned Ahmed’s method for ensuring nominations originate from Tigrayans. Ahmed recently indicated an extension of the interim government’s term, aligning with Ethiopia’s 2026 national elections.
