Ethiopia has appointed former Tigrayan interim leader Getachew Reda as a federal minister, igniting concerns of renewed political unrest.
The decision, announced Friday, places Getachew as an advisor on East African affairs to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, with ministerial rank.
His return to federal politics follows his recent ouster as head of Tigray’s interim administration amid a power struggle within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
Debretsion Gebremichael, a longtime TPLF figure, replaced Getachew earlier this month, intensifying internal divisions within the already fractured region.
Tigray is still reeling from a two-year war that ended in 2022, claiming an estimated 600,000 lives and devastating infrastructure.
The Pretoria peace deal halted the bloodshed but left many terms unfulfilled, fueling friction among the Tigrayan leadership and local populations.
Getachew, once Ethiopia’s communications minister, remains a prominent and polarizing figure with deep support across parts of Tigray.
Critics say his appointment signals betrayal, warning it may deepen rifts between federal allies and Tigrayan factions still skeptical of Addis Ababa.
“This is the ultimate betrayal,” said Mehdi Labzae of France’s National Centre for Scientific Research. “It risks increasing polarization across the region.”
Horn of Africa expert Kjetil Tronvoll echoed the concern, stating the move “will accentuate divisions” in a region already scarred by war.
Recent clashes between rival Tigrayan groups have led to the seizure of towns and the removal of interim officials by forces loyal to Debretsion.
Eritrea, long accused of meddling in Ethiopia’s internal conflicts, reportedly backs Debretsion’s faction, further complicating regional dynamics.
As tensions simmer, observers fear Getachew’s federal role could reignite conflict rather than foster the fragile peace Tigray so urgently needs.
