TPLF Faction Rejects National Election Board of Ethiopia's Directive to Redo Congress

UMD Media, January 17, 2025

The faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) led by Debretsion Gebremichael has rejected the National Election Board of Ethiopia’s (NEBE) decision declaring its August 2024 Congress invalid. In a strongly worded statement, the faction’s central committee criticized NEBE’s directive to reconvene the congress by February 10, 2025, asserting it as an overreach and politically motivated. This stance, however, appears to contradict Debretsion Gebremichael’s earlier remarks made just weeks ago, where he stated that the TPLF would comply and redo the congress if formally asked by NEBE.

The Debretsion-led faction dismissed NEBE’s decision as unlawful, claiming that the Congress adhered to TPLF and regional statutes. The group condemned the board’s involvement, arguing that it lacked the jurisdiction to interfere in what they see as an internal party matter. The faction reiterated its dedication to Tigray’s self-determination, accusing NEBE and other external forces of undermining the region’s governance and destabilizing its recovery efforts.

The faction expressed its commitment to the Pretoria Peace Agreement, criticizing the federal government for failing to honor its provisions, including the withdrawal of non-regional forces and the restoration of essential services to Tigray.

NEBE’s directive to redo the congress came months after allegations of procedural irregularities raised by the rival faction led by Tigray Interim Regional Administration(TIRA) President Getachew Reda, which contests the legitimacy of the August gathering. NEBE has defended its intervention as necessary to ensure compliance with national laws governing political and electoral processes.

This escalating discord adds another layer of complexity to Tigray’s recovery from years of conflict. The rejection of NEBE’s directive underscores broader tensions between regional autonomy and federal oversight, leaving the region in a state of political uncertainty. The apparent contradiction in Debretsion’s statements further fuels questions about the cohesion and direction of his faction amid these challenges. As the political stalemate intensifies, questions remain unanswered regarding the TPLF factions’ ability to unify and formulate a cohesive strategy for their party’s future. The faction’s press statement was issued just three days before the January 20, 2025, deadline for notifying the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) about the status of the now-abandoned congress.

The week also witnessed significant public rally, with over 50,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and residents of Mekelle participating in a three-day “Enough is Enough” rally. The demonstrators called for the return of IDPs and the restoration of Tigray’s territorial integrity, underscoring the region’s ongoing grievances.

Adding to the tensions, a high-profile arrest of businessman Berhane Gidey (aka Berhane Azeba) and an unnamed VIP security officer sparked further controversy. Both were suspected of plotting to assassinate President Getachew Reda, Vice President Tsadkan Gebretensae, and TIRA Advisor Assefa Abraha. According to UMD Media sources, the second suspect had been serving as Assefa Abraha’s personal security. While a Mekelle court granted them bail, federal authorities swiftly took them back into custody, now under federal criminal investigation in Addis Ababa.