Mekelle, January 25, 2025 – The Cabinet of the Tigray Interim Administration has firmly rejected a controversial statement issued in the name of senior army leaders, citing concerns over its partiality, constitutional violations, and risks to the Pretoria Agreement. The statement, reportedly issued after a meeting of high-ranking army leaders, has drawn widespread apprehension among the people of Tigray.
In an extraordinary meeting convened on January 24, the Cabinet examined the statement and concluded that it undermines the legitimacy of governance structures, threatens peace, and jeopardizes the unity of the people and the army. The Cabinet declared that the decisions outlined in the statement are unacceptable and will not be implemented.
In its response, the Cabinet criticized the statement for exceeding the army’s institutional mandate by interfering in political party matters and attempting to restructure governance institutions. “The army has no authority to determine the legitimacy of political parties or issue decisions on governance structures,” the Cabinet noted.
The Administration also rejected the statement’s call to centralize all security forces under a single authority, describing it as unconstitutional and detrimental to the region’s stability. While emphasizing the importance of coordination among security forces, the Cabinet underscored the need for their professional independence.
The statement appealed to the international community to intervene and alleviate the suffering of the people of Tigray, while supporting efforts to ensure enduring peace.
The statement emphasized that the controversial decisions do not represent the position of the Tigray Interim Administration or the army as an institution. It concluded with a firm call for unity, dialogue, and unwavering commitment to peace.
This development comes at a critical time for Tigray, as population panicked after the statement of position from senior Army commanders on Wednesday expressing support to one of the two factions of TPLF led by former President Debretsion Gebremichael.