US ambassador to Ethiopia visits Tigray amid local TPLF tensions

NAIROBI, Kenya - The US ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga visited the Tigray region amid local political tensions pitting factions within the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), with the message revolving around “the importance of resolving political disputes through peaceful dialogue".

For the next three days in Tigray, Ambassador Ervin will meet regional officials to discuss the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) which was signed in Pretoria besides focusing on gender-based violence and promoting peace and stability.

According to Tigray TV, interim leader Getachew Reda, his deputy Lt. General Tadesse Werede, and a host of local leaders ushered in the ambassador at Alula Aba Nega International Airport upon his arrival in the northern state of Ethiopia.

The visit takes place against the backdrop of internal tensions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), where a rift has developed between TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, Addis Standard reports.

Recently, TPLF chairman Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) insisted that central committee members and executives who were absent from the conference and are involved in the interim administration “do not represent the organization.”

He further stated that leaders of the Central Committee and the Central Control Commission of the Party who withdrew from the 14th General Assembly of the TPLF have no responsibilities beyond remaining as ordinary members.

In light of these events, Tigray interim leadership removed Liya Kassa from her position as administrator of the South East Zone. Similarly, Teklay Gebremedhin, the administrator of the North Western Zone, was removed from his position over the weekend.

The ouster came shortly after both individuals were included in the Executive committee of the TPLF much to the antagonism of the interim administration. The TPLF party leadership maintains the interim team does not have the power to remove zonal administrators.

GAROWE ONLINE