Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
Analysis: President Tadesse Werede’s Calculated Push for De-escalation and Peace
By Staff Writter
President Tadesse Werede’s late-night briefing was not just a response to recent clashes. It was a political signal, carefully framed to distance the Tigray Interim Administration from renewed conflict and to reassert a commitment to dialogue with the federal government.
At the core of his message was a clear rejection of war as a legitimate path forward. Tadesse described the fighting on multiple fronts as deliberate provocations carried out by armed groups linked to a narrow faction pursuing its own interests. He stressed that these actions neither reflected the will of the people of Tigray nor the policy of his administration. More importantly, he stated unambiguously that the interim government neither deployed these forces nor issued them any orders.
This distinction matters. Since the Pretoria agreement, the legitimacy of political actors in Tigray has been closely tied to their stance on peace. By framing the clashes as the work of remnants acting outside institutional authority, Tadesse positioned his administration as a stabilizing force rather than a belligerent one. Observers widely interpret his remarks as referring to TPLF hardline remnants, though he avoided naming them directly, likely to prevent further internal escalation.
His actions reinforced his words. According to the briefing, units positioned close to federal defense forces on the Tsilamti and Raya fronts were instructed to withdraw, and they have since pulled back. In a volatile environment, such withdrawals are not symbolic gestures. They are confidence-building measures aimed at preventing miscalculation and signaling seriousness to Addis Ababa.
Tadesse also acknowledged the human cost of the tensions. He expressed condolences for civilian deaths caused by drone strikes in different parts of Tigray, underlining that civilians continue to bear the burden of political and military brinkmanship. This acknowledgment fits into a broader narrative he has consistently advanced: that war only multiplies suffering and solves none of Tigray’s core problems.
The suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Tigray added another layer of strain. Flights to Mekelle, Axum, Shire, and Humera remained halted, disrupting travel and isolating the region further. Tadesse confirmed that even his own planned visit to Addis Ababa was canceled as a result. Yet he was careful not to frame this as a breakdown in relations. He noted that communication with federal authorities continued by phone, signaling that political engagement remains open despite logistical and political obstacles. Notably, the federal government has not yet issued a public statement on the clashes.
Throughout the briefing, Tadesse returned to one central theme: there is no problem that can be resolved through conflict when peaceful dialogue is available. He called for tensions to stop immediately and without preconditions, and for Tigray’s legitimate and clearly articulated demands to be addressed through peaceful means. This appeal was directed not only at the federal government but at all stakeholders, including actors within Tigray itself.
His message to the public was equally deliberate. He urged residents to continue their daily lives and not to live in fear of a prolonged war. At the same time, he warned merchants against exploiting the situation by raising prices under the pretext of insecurity, describing such behavior as greedy and unacceptable. The interim administration, he said, will take measures against those found doing so. This focus on economic stability reflects an understanding that even rumors of war can quickly translate into hardship for ordinary people.
Taken together, the briefing paints a picture of a leader trying to hold a fragile line. Tadesse Werede is working to contain armed spoilers, reassure a war-weary population, and maintain open channels with Addis Ababa. His rhetoric and decisions suggest a personal aversion to war, shaped by the heavy costs Tigray has already endured. By emphasizing withdrawals, dialogue, and civilian protection, he is attempting to anchor Tigray’s political future in negotiation rather than confrontation.
Whether this approach succeeds will depend not only on his resolve, but on the willingness of federal authorities and internal actors to match words with restraint. For now, his stance is clear: the current clashes are not the war of the Tigray people, nor of the interim administration. They are an aberration, and one he appears determined to prevent from derailing a fragile peace.
In his closing remarks, President Tadesse also directed a message to the international community. He stressed that both the people and the government of Tigray have no desire to endure another devastating war. The priority, he said, is recovery: rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, reviving the regional economy, restoring Tigray’s constitutionally recognized territories, and enabling the safe and dignified return of internally displaced people.
Tadesse argued that renewed conflict would only reverse fragile gains and deepen humanitarian suffering. Instead, he called on international partners to support de-escalation, reconstruction, and a political process anchored in dialogue and the full implementation of existing peace commitments. According to him, peace is not only a political choice but a necessity for Tigray’s survival and long-term stability.
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