Tension High in Tigray Region as Generals "Attempt" to Disband Interim Government

Getachew Reda, Head of Tigray Interim Government-FILE

• Tigray Interim Regional Administration Accuses Security Forces of Staging Coup
  The Tigray Interim Regional Administration (IRA) has accused senior leaders of the regional security forces of attempting to stage a coup, following an announcement by the security leaders demanding the dissolution of the IRA, which is led by Getachew Reda. The IRA rejected the announcement as “illegal” and “unacceptable,” stating that it jeopardizes the Pretoria Agreement. The security officials criticized the IRA as weak in fulfilling its mandate and claimed it was influenced by unnamed external actors. The move potentially deepens the rift within the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), as the regional security forces are part of the IRA established under the Pretoria Agreement. More Read

• Oromo Liberation Army Abducts 50 Civilians in Oromia Region
  The rebel Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) abducted approximately 50 civilians, including several women, in Yaya Gullele district, North Shewa zone, Oromia region, on Thursday. The victims, mainly business people, were traveling from Debre Libanos district to Yaya Gullele by truck when they were captured. This follows a similar attack a few weeks ago, in which the OLA killed three zonal administration officials, one subdistrict official, and a driver, while also kidnapping five other subdistrict officials.

• Minister of Planning Responds to IMF Criticism of Government’s Subsidy Program
  Ethiopia's Minister of Planning, Fitsum Assefa, has responded to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which criticized the government’s subsidy for vulnerable groups after implementing the recent macroeconomic policy. Fitsum refuted the claim, asserting that the government allocated 60 billion birr for safety net programs in the 2024/25 fiscal year. While acknowledging the new policy discourages dependency on safety nets, she noted that additional vulnerable groups severely affected by the recent economic policies were included in the existing programs, though specific figures were not provided. Over the past five months, 22 billion birr has been disbursed to safety net beneficiaries.

• Earthquake Displaces Nearly 100,000 in Afar, Oromia, and Amhara Regions
  Nearly 100,000 people in Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions have been affected by recent earthquakes in the Afar's Awash Valley, according to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Of those affected, 60,000 are in Afar, 20,000 in Oromia, and 9,000 in Amhara. So far, the authorities have relocated 70,000 people, including 40,000 from Afar, with preparations underway to relocate the remaining 30,000. The earthquake caused significant damage to properties and infrastructure, particularly in Amhara's North Shewa zone, including Tarmaber, Hagere Mariam, and Efrata ena Gidem.

• Federal Parliament Appoints New Chief Ombudsman
  Ethiopia’s Federal Parliament has appointed Simegn Wube as the new Chief Ombudsman, following the completion of Endale Haile’s term. Simegn previously served as Deputy Commissioner of the federal Civil Service Commission. Yeneneh Simegn, former President of the Amhara regional Supreme Court, has been appointed Deputy Chief Ombudsman. The Ombudsman must remain politically neutral by law. Under the outgoing leadership, the Ombudsman exposed several administrative injustices and human rights violations by government security forces.

• Norway Praises Ethiopian Cooperation on Migrant Readmission
  Norwegian authorities have expressed appreciation for Ethiopia’s cooperation in readmitting illegal Ethiopian migrants from Norway. Norway has indicated that it will lift visa restrictions for Ethiopians in 2025 if the cooperation continues to show results. The EU and Norway had imposed visa restrictions, citing Ethiopia's lack of full cooperation in facilitating the return of its citizens. Norway has emphasized the need for the prompt and efficient return of illegal migrants to their countries of origin.

wazemaradio@gmail.com