Federal Government Establishes Six-Month Federal Caretaker Administration in Tigray, Appoints Five Officials

October 16, 2026

The Ethiopian federal government has established a six-month caretaker administration for Tigray, appointing five senior officials to oversee regional administration, security, reconstruction, political affairs, and the city of Mekelle.

According to the federal government’s announcement, the decision follows a resolution by the House of Federation under Article 62(9) of Ethiopia’s Constitution and Article 14(2)(b) of Proclamation No. 359/1995.

The government accused the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of obstructing implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and initiating renewed conflict.

The caretaker administration will operate under the direct guidance, supervision, and oversight of the federal government. Its six-month mandate includes restoring security, rebuilding government institutions, repairing infrastructure, resuming public services, facilitating the return of internally displaced persons, and preparing for elections.

The administration will also coordinate with federal defense, police, and intelligence institutions and Tigray’s security forces to facilitate disarmament, reintegration, and restructuring of regional security institutions.

Its responsibilities include coordinating media activities, organizing public forums, overseeing political and public mobilization activities, and creating conditions for elections within six months.

Five Officials Appointed

The federal government announced the following appointments:

• Assefa Abraha Hagos — Chief Executive for Administration and Public Services. Assefa was among the negotiators of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and subsequently served as an adviser to President Getachew Reda during his tenure as president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA).
• Dr. Tewodros Aregay Woldeselassie — Chief Executive for Economy and Reconstruction. Tewodros is from the Tigray Prosperity Party.
• Brigadier General Gebre-Egziabher Beyene Hailu — Chief Executive for Peace and Security. Widely known by his nom de guerre, Wedi Antiru, he is a commander of the Tigray Peace Forces (TPF).
• Redae Halefom Woldeselassie — Chief Executive for Political Affairs and Public Organization. Redae is affiliated with Getachew Reda’s Simret Party.
• Dr. Shishay Amare — Mayor of Mekelle. Shishay is also affiliated with Getachew Reda’s Simret Party.

No regional president was named in the announcement.

The government stated that the caretaker administration would not undertake decisions with long-term strategic implications beyond routine governance and election preparations. All appointees will operate under federal direction, support, and monitoring.

The political affiliations and backgrounds of the appointees highlight the involvement of the Simret Party, Tigray Prosperity Party, and Tigray Peace Forces in the new administration.

The announcement leaves important questions about the extent of federal executive authority in Tigray, the independence of the electoral process, and the mechanisms for ensuring that the six-month arrangement does not extend beyond its stated mandate.