Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
Getachew Reda Unfiltered: Tigray’s Fragile Peace and the Red Sea Question
Mekelle, September 2025 — Ethiopia’s political landscape remains unsettled nearly three years after the signing of the Pretoria Agreement, which formally ended the devastating two-year war in Tigray. In an exclusive interview with Global Power Shift, Getachew Reda, former president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration and now Ethiopia’s Minister of East African Affairs, offered unvarnished views on the challenges facing both Tigray and the broader Horn of Africa.
Hosted by veteran journalist Jim Stenman, formerly of CNN and Reuters, the discussion ranged from the future of the Pretoria Agreement to Ethiopia’s growing push for Red Sea access, tensions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Eritrea’s enduring influence, and the regional impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Getachew Reda
The GERD: A National Milestone
Getachew praised the GERD’s inauguration as a symbol of Ethiopian self-reliance and a landmark achievement.
“The inauguration of the Grand Renaissance Dam demonstrates that Ethiopia has been able to implement a project of immense scale through its own capacity,” he said. “It is one of the largest projects in the world built entirely by a nation’s own people. The dam poses no threat to Egypt’s water usage or interests.”
The GERD, located on the Blue Nile, has long been a point of tension between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. Addis Ababa insists the project will provide crucial electricity for development, while Cairo and Khartoum have raised concerns about downstream water flows.
Fragile Peace in Tigray
Turning to domestic politics, Getachew acknowledged the fragility of peace in Tigray, where hundreds of thousands remain displaced despite commitments under the Pretoria Agreement. He voiced concern over divisions within the TPLF leadership, some of whom he accused of deepening instability by aligning with Eritrea.
“This effort to create turmoil on Tigrayan soil bringing harm to my brothers and sisters and worsening the lives of my people—is something I will firmly oppose,” he said.
While the Pretoria Agreement formally silenced the guns, implementation has lagged, particularly regarding the safe return of displaced persons and the withdrawal of outside forces from Tigrayan territory.
Eritrea’s Shadow and the Red Sea Question
Getachew was blunt about Eritrea’s enduring role in the region. Asmara’s forces fought alongside Ethiopian federal troops during the Tigray conflict and remain a powerful factor in the Horn’s security dynamics. He warned that renewed cooperation between Eritrea and factions of the TPLF could risk destabilizing the region once again.
At the same time, he addressed Ethiopia’s push for access to the Red Sea, a strategic priority that has drawn international attention. Addis Ababa has sought closer ties with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia, to secure port access. “The Red Sea is not just Ethiopia’s question, but a regional one,” Getachew noted, framing it as part of the Horn’s broader struggle for influence and resources.
What Lies Ahead
As Ethiopia balances internal recovery with external ambitions, Getachew’s remarks highlight both the opportunities and risks facing the Horn of Africa. The GERD promises new economic potential but continues to stir tensions with downstream states. The Pretoria Agreement offers a blueprint for peace in Tigray, but unfulfilled promises threaten its credibility. And the Red Sea question linking Ethiopia’s landlocked status to shifting alliances with Somaliland and the Gulf remains a geopolitical fault line.
For Getachew, the message is clear: Ethiopia must safeguard peace at home while navigating turbulent waters abroad. “The stakes could not be higher,” he said, underscoring the intersection of domestic stability and regional strategy.
Getachew gave the interview while receiving medical treatment in Dubai, where he is currently hospitalized.
