TPLF Says Ethiopia Extended Tigray Interim Rule Without Agreement

Mintesinot Nigussie

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has said the Ethiopian government extended the mandate of the Tigray Interim Administration for one year without consultation with political actors involved in the transition process.

In a statement issued from Mekelle on Thursday, the TPLF said it learned through state media that the federal government had decided to prolong the tenure of the interim administration. It described the move as unilateral and said it was taken without the participation of stakeholders engaged in the political framework established under the transition arrangement.

The interim governance structure was formed following the Pretoria Peace Agreement, which ended the conflict between federal forces and the TPLF and laid the groundwork for a transitional administration in the region.

Under the latest decision, the federal government has extended the mandate of the Tigray Interim Administration leadership for an additional one year, effective April 9, 2026. Government authorities say the move is grounded in constitutional provisions and existing legal frameworks governing interim regional administrations.

The TPLF, however, said the decision contradicts the spirit of the Pretoria agreement and previous understandings governing the transition in Tigray. It also said the extension was made without its involvement or that of other political actors within the process.

The group called on mediators of the Pretoria agreement and the international community to take note of the development, warning that such unilateral actions could affect the credibility of the transitional arrangement.

Businesses and investors engaged in reconstruction and development projects in Tigray are closely monitoring the situation, as the extension may influence stability and investment decisions in the region.

Overall, the TPLF’s statement highlights ongoing tensions in the political transition process in Tigray and raises questions about the inclusivity of key governance decisions.

Mintesinot Nigussie