Ethiopia Establishes Six-Month Federal Caretaker Administration in Tigray

Ethiopia’s federal government has established a caretaker administration to govern the Tigray region for six months, with a mandate to restore security, rebuild public institutions and prepare the region for elections.

The decision follows a resolution by the House of Federation and authorisation granted to the Council of Ministers, according to a statement by the office of the Prime Minister. The administration is expected to oversee the region until an elected government takes office.

Its responsibilities include restoring stability, re-establishing government structures, repairing war-damaged infrastructure, resuming interrupted social services and facilitating the return of displaced residents to their homes.

The caretaker administration is also tasked with creating conditions for free and transparent elections within six months, allowing Tigray to return to its regular place within Ethiopia’s federal system, the statement said.

Security is another central part of its mandate. The administration will coordinate with federal defence, police and security institutions, as well as Tigray’s security forces, to restore order from the regional level down to local administrations. It will also facilitate the disarmament and reintegration of armed personnel and oversee the restructuring of the region’s security institutions.

The government said the administration would focus on day-to-day governance and preparations for elections rather than pursuing longer-term strategic decisions. Its activities will be guided and supervised by the federal government.

The statement attributed the failure of previous efforts to implement the Pretoria peace agreement to obstruction by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The government also accused the group’s leadership of initiating renewed conflict. These claims were presented in the government’s statement and were not independently verified in the announcement.

Five officials were named to lead the administration’s executive functions. Asefa Abraha Hagos was appointed chief executive for administration and public services; Dr Theodros Aregay Woldeselassie for the economy and reconstruction; Brigadier General Gebre-Egziabher Beyene Hailu for security and peace; and Redai Halefom Woldeselassie for political affairs and public organisation.

Dr Shishay Amare was appointed mayor of Mekelle, the regional capital.

The administration is also expected to coordinate public forums and media activities, support social and psychological recovery, and create conditions for peaceful and inclusive elections.

Source: FSX Business News