Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — May 8, 2026 | Horn News Hub
Tadesse Werede, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, has warned that the region is entering what he described as a “dangerous path” following a controversial political move carried out under military protection in Mekelle on Thursday.
In a statement issued on Miyazia 30, 2018 E.C. (May 8, 2026), Lieutenant General Tadesse said repeated calls for dialogue and mutual understanding aimed at preventing further escalation had failed to produce results.
According to the statement, a body claiming to have been elected began holding a cabinet meeting inside the Tigray Interim Administration’s cabinet hall while under tight military security protection.
Tadesse described the development as a turning point that could deepen the political crisis in the region. He further stated that the group he accused of taking over the administration “by force” would bear responsibility for any consequences resulting from the action.
The statement comes amid growing tensions within Tigray’s political landscape following disputes over authority, the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, and competing claims to regional leadership.
Western governments and international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, have in recent months expressed concern over actions they say could undermine the Pretoria peace agreement and destabilize the fragile post war recovery process in northern Ethiopia.
Despite repeated warnings and calls for restraint, tensions have continued to rise, increasing fears among observers that renewed political confrontation could have serious consequences for civilians in Tigray, many of whom are still recovering from the trauma and humanitarian impact of the two year conflict.
On Friday, the faction led by Debretsion Gebremichael reportedly entered the office of the interim president and convened what it described as a cabinet meeting with some cabinet members inside the administration compound in Mekelle.
The development adds another layer to the ongoing power struggle in Tigray, where political divisions have deepened in recent months. The TPLF was removed from the list of legally registered political parties by the National Election Board of Ethiopia last year, further complicating the legitimacy debate surrounding competing claims to authority in the region.
Observers warn that the escalating confrontation risks undermining the fragile peace process and could increase instability unless rival sides return to dialogue and negotiated political engagement.
The Federal Government of Ethiopia has not yet issued an official statement regarding the latest developments and political tensions unfolding in Tigray.
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