Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, the newly appointed President of the Tigray Interim Administration. (Addis Standard)
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | đź•’ 11:35 AM EAT
Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, the newly appointed President of the Tigray Interim Administration, has announced a leaner new cabinet and reinstated senior army officers previously suspended under the former leadership of Getachew Reda.
In his first major move since assuming office, President Tadesse reduced the number of cabinet members from 27 to 21 and trimmed the deputy presidential positions from two to one. While the identity of the new deputy president has not been officially released, sources indicate that Amanuel Assefa—deputy chairman of the TPLF under Debretsion Gebremichael—has been selected. If confirmed, this would mark a shift in the political balance within the TPLF, signaling a departure from the influence of Getachew Reda.
During a cabinet inauguration event on April 19, Tadesse emphasized the need for reconciliation and a united path forward. He warned against the politics of division and blame, saying:
“Tigray cannot emerge from this crisis through a politics of victors and losers… We must move away from self-centred, harmful political behaviour that endangers the people and the country.”
Tadesse urged his new cabinet to prioritize resolving the region’s “pressing challenges,” particularly the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs). He vowed to intensify efforts to return IDPs to their homes and improve living conditions for those still in shelters.
As part of his restructuring, President Tadesse reversed a controversial decision made on March 10 by his predecessor, which had suspended four top military officials:
- General Migbey Haile
- General Yohannes W/Giorgis
- General Masho Beyene
- General Fiseha Kidanu (former head of the region’s Bureau of Peace and Security)
All four officials have now been reinstated to their positions, including General Fiseha, who will resume leadership of the Bureau of Peace and Security.
The original suspension caused internal friction within Tigray’s administration, with some accusing the generals of alleged collaboration with Fano militias in the Amhara region. The regional Bureau of Peace and Security had openly rejected Getachew Reda’s decision, leading to further administrative fallout.
President Tadesse has called for unity and shared responsibility among government officials moving forward, stating that both achievements and failures must be collectively owned.
This political shake-up marks a critical juncture in Tigray’s transitional period, as the region continues to grapple with post-war recovery, internal displacement, and tensions with neighboring regions.
Stay tuned to Mulembe Times for in-depth updates on the Horn of Africa.
