May 1, 2025 – Mekelle, Tigray
The Tigray Interim Administration, led by Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, issued a stern warning today against actions and narratives that it claims undermine the Pretoria Peace Agreement and threaten regional stability. In an official statement, the newly reshuffled cabinet emphasized its commitment to peace and political resolution despite ongoing challenges.
The cabinet highlighted that, after enduring a devastating war and humanitarian crisis, the people of Tigray are seeking peace and recovery. “We are committed to peaceful and political struggle based on the framework of the Pretoria Agreement,” the statement read. The administration reaffirmed its stance, even though constitutional governance structures have not yet been restored and many Tigrayan citizens remain displaced and live under harsh conditions.
The statement further accused certain federal institutions, regional governments, and media outlets of actively promoting messages that distort the essence of the Pretoria Agreement. Of particular concern, it claimed, is the portrayal of parts of Western Tigray — specifically areas like Humera, Wolkait, and Tegede — as part of the Amhara Region, despite their disputed status.
The cabinet cited several examples, including:
A May 8, 2025, broadcast by the Amhara Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which described Western Tigray as “liberated” and called on the youth to “defend the identity of the region.”
A May 1, 2025, Tigrigna-language report by the Ethiopian Press Agency that referred to the Gondar-Humera road project as being part of the Amhara Region.
A fundraising event held on May 20, 2025, at the Sheraton Addis Hotel under the theme “Development for Gondar,” where financial contributions were collected in the name of development in the Western Tigray zone. According to the statement, donations were framed to show Western Tigray as a rightful part of the Amhara Region.
The cabinet argued that such portrayals are not merely symbolic but strategic efforts to legitimize territorial claims that contradict the peace accord and the federal constitution. “These are organized campaigns meant to change the administrative structure and demographic composition of Western Tigray,” the statement said, warning that they could derail the peace process and reignite conflict.
In its conclusion, the Tigray Interim Administration called on all federal and regional actors, particularly media organizations and communication offices, to refrain from such actions. It urged the federal government to take responsibility and ensure full compliance with the Pretoria Peace Agreement, including resolving issues around the return of displaced people and restoring constitutional order.
“This kind of conduct not only violates the Pretoria Agreement but also endangers the ongoing peace efforts and could potentially lead to renewed conflict,” the statement concluded.
The warning serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of Ethiopia’s peace process and the complexities involved in fully implementing the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, especially concerning contested areas like Western Tigray.
