Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Below is a comprehensive, strategically grounded, and internationally standardized monitoring and accountability document titled for serial publication by Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR) in collaboration with The Tigray Herald Editorial Board. The report reflects serious evaluation and factual warning on the devastating 72-day tenure of Tadesse Worede.
Strategic Monitoring and Accountability Series: Day 72
“72 Days of Betrayal, Incompetence, and Criminal Complicity: A Strategic Monitoring Report on the Disastrous Presidency of Tadesse Worede”
Prepared by:
Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)
In collaboration with The Tigray Herald Editorial Board With contributions from regional and international political, security, and legal experts.
Executive Summary
This report offers a deep strategic monitoring assessment of the catastrophic 72-day tenure of Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, the most ineffective and dangerously complicit figure to temporarily preside over Tigray’s transitional politics since the Pretoria Peace Agreement. His short and destructive presidency marks a dark chapter in Tigray’s post-genocide recovery. Rather than guiding Tigray through reform and peacebuilding, Tadesse Worede entrenched lawlessness, strengthened criminal military networks loyal to the TPLF’s most corrupt factions,and undermined justice, governance, and regional stability.
This monitoring series issues a grave warning: under his watch, Tigray has witnessed the resurrection of impunity, the continuation of unlawful military activities, political sabotage, and blatant violations of international humanitarian and refugee law.
Section I: Strategic Context and Objectives of This Monitoring Series
The purpose of this report—and the ongoing Strategic Monitoring and Accountability Series is to: Expose the failures, inactions, and criminal enablers under Tadesse Worede’s leadership.Evaluate the real-time sabotage of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
Document institutional capture of Tigray’s judiciary and security institutions by TPLF-linked figures Issue urgent regional and international warnings about ongoing human rights violations and state collapse risks.
Recommend decisive reforms and independent investigations.
Section II: 72 Days of Institutional Collapse, Betrayal, and Sabotage
- Criminal Military Networks Re-Energized
Tadesse Worede, instead of disbanding the lawless TPLF military cliques, became their tool and protector. These networks, operating under the label of “Above the Core,” continue to:Commit extrajudicial killings, Operate illegal contraband routes to Eritrea, Undermine Tigray’s civilian governance. His presidency has been reduced to enabling a military mafia system, hollowing out civilian authority, and systematically obstructing reform.
- A Presidency of Silence Amid Occupation
Tadesse Worede has failed to issue a single substantial policy, plan, or even statement on the continued occupation of western and southern Tigray by Amhara militias and Eritrean forces. His silence amounts to collaboration through inaction, dishonoring the Pretoria Peace Agreement and the blood of Tigrayan civilians.
- The Eritrean Refugee Betrayal
Under Worede’s watch, Eritrean refugees fleeing the brutal Isaias Afwerki regime have been: Arrested by TPLF military operatives,
Forcibly repatriated to the Eritrean military a grave violation of international law.
This inhuman and illegal act represents one of the most shameful betrayals of Tigray’s proud history of hosting refugees.
Section III: Judicial Subversion- The Zewdu Haftu Case
- The Murder of Zewdu Haftu The brutal daylight murder of Zewdu Haftu remains unaddressed because of political
interference from his killer’s father, Colonel Gebreselassie Belay, a senior TPLF military official
commanding the 22nd Division. Evidence and testimonies suggest:
Gebreselassie obstructed investigations,
Intimidated judiciary officials in Mekelle,
Used his influence to shield his son, Yared, from prosecution. - Pattern of Impunity
Gebreselassie’s second son was also responsible for the vehicular homicide of Mulu Mekonnen Woldegiorgis, a case equally buried by influence and coercion.These repeated crimes illustrate the extent to which TPLF military elites act with impunity,
supported and protected by the so-called transitional president.
Section IV: Sabotaging the Pretoria Agreement
The ongoing “Enough is Enough” demonstrations orchestrated by TPLF hardliners were not spontaneous civic expressions, but militarized and manipulated campaigns designed to:Derail the IDP return process,Undermine peace, Serve the internal coup ambitions of the TPLF’s rogue faction.Tadesse Worede stood by as these illegal activities were carried out in his name, offering no condemnation, and effectively endorsing the sabotage of Pretoria’s roadmap.
Section V: The Alliance with Eritrea
Economic and Security Treason
Contraband smuggling into Eritrea continues under TPLF orders. The unholy alliance between TPLF criminals and the PFDJ regime continues to: Drain Tigray’s economy, Facilitate illegal mineral and goods export,Undermine regional security This economic sabotage, once again, has been enabled and protected by Tadesse Worede’s passivity.
Section VI: Narrative Warning – Tigray at a Crossroads
“Above the Core, Beyond the Law: Tadesse Worede’s Complicity in Tigray’s Sabotage”
Tadesse Worede’s presidency must be remembered for what it is: a 72-day operation of political betrayal. His administration served as the instrument of TPLF militarists, not the people of Tigray.The people of Tigray did not sacrifice their lives to return to another version of authoritarianism
and impunity.
Section VII: Strategic Recommendations
- Immediate Dismissal of Tadesse Worede and appointment of a civilian-led interim transition
council. - Independent investigative commissioncomposed of local lawyers, religious leaders, civil
society, and diaspora professionals to:
Investigate all crimes involving Colonel Gebreselassie Belay and his sons,
Review refugee handover cases,
Audit TPLF military economic operations. - Freeze and audit military-run institutions and businesses linked to TPLF factions.
- Launch a UN-monitored IDP return program outside the control of TPLF militarists.
- Urgent diplomatic briefings to the AU, EU, and UNHCR on the forced repatriation of Eritrean
refugees and violation of international law.Final Warning and Continuation ClauseHorn of Africa Geopolitical Review and The Tigray Herald Editorial Board issue this document as part of a continuing daily monitoring series on the failures and actions of Tadesse Worede
and all officials undermining peace and justice in Tigray. “The suffering of Tigray will not be hidden. Every day will be documented, every crime monitored, and every betrayal exposed.
Future reports will expand on:
The dismantling of independent judiciary structures in Mekelle,
Contraband economies,
Arms smuggling networks to Eritrea,
Intelligence leaks to PFDJ and Amhara forces,
The growing grassroots resistance to militarized governance in Tigray.
For Immediate Distribution to:
UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
African Union Peace and Security Council
European Union Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa
United States Institute of Peace
International Crisis Group
Tigrayan Civil Society Network and Diaspora Legal CSeriess
