# TPLF internal leadership dispute

In August 2024, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) internal administration was disputed with Chief Administrator of Interim Regional Administration of Tigray Getachew Reda and the chairman of TPLF Debretsion Gebremichael. The disputes came after the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) refused to accept TPLF legal status as political party in Ethiopia. On 13 August 2024, the controversial 14th Congress of TPLF was held in Mekelle, drawing criticism from the public and NEBE for its irregularity and absence of TPLF officials in the conference. Getachew criticized the meeting for its informality and alleged the meeting designated to "oust certain leaders".
The division feared to heighten violence in northern Ethiopia and escalating diplomatic tensions between Egypt, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

## Background

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) internal division led by Getachew Reda led faction and TPLF chair Debretsion Gebremichael. On 18 September 2024, Getachew Reda accused TPLF members of alleging "coup against the interim Tigray Administration". After two years end conflict in the Tigray Region and Pretoria Agreement in 2022, the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) removed TPLF from terrorist database list. However, NEBE challenged TPLF status in fully-fledged political party in Ethiopia in August 2024. Debretsion denounced NEBE decision as "violation of the Pretoria Agreement". In 2023, Debretsion also filed complaint against NEBE decision to the African Union stating that the internal administration of TPLF should not be left to the Interim Administration.

## 2024

The division feared to heighten violence in northern Ethiopia and leverage opportunity for Egypt, Somalia and Eritrea to diplomatic pressure the Ethiopian government. On 13 August 2024, the 14th Congress of TPLF was held in the Tigray's capital Mekelle amidst leadership crisis and public outrage. Fourteen members of the Central Committee, including Getachew Reda, were absent from the congress. Attended by thousands of party members, the meeting took place in the Martyrs Monument Assembly Hall. Getachew, who initially decided to boycott the conference, criticized the meeting "as being hastily organized without reaching a consensus" by claiming it was designed to “oust certain leaders".
On 7 October, TPLF announced the removal of President Getachew Reda, and several other key officials from their positions. IRAT released a statement that they the removal a "public coup". On 17 November 2024, there was a failed assassination attempt on Central Tigray administrator Solomon Measho. Measho is a high ranking member of the interim government and a supporter of Getachews faction. While the culprit is unclear, many have blamed Debretsion's faction.

## 2025

In late January 2025, Tigray politics plunged into a severe crisis as senior commanders of the Tigray armed forces loyal to Debretsion accused the Interim Administration, established under the Pretoria Treaty, of betrayal. They demanded its restructuring in line with the resolutions of the 14th party congress held in August 2024. The interim government labeled these actions a "coup d'état," while other Tigrayan political factions accused the commanders of risking the resurgence of war in Tigray.