Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
“Condemnation Mounts Over Military Takeover of Southern Tigray Administration”
By Staff Writer
Condemnation continues to grow in response to the military-backed purge of Southern Tigray’s zonal administration, with political parties, civil society groups, and community representatives speaking out against what they describe as an undemocratic and authoritarian move by Interim President Tadesse Worede.
Today, a high-level delegation of elders, women, youth, and religious leaders from the Raya communities in Southern Tigray held a closed-door meeting with President Tadesse in Mekelle, demanding answers and accountability over what they call a “forceful dismantling” of their legitimately constituted administration.
The meeting came amid widespread anger over the lack of consultation and transparency in the leadership overhaul but in a move that has drawn additional outrage, independent media outlets were barred from covering the event.
“No media outlet was allowed to enter or record the discussion,” wrote journalist Desta Gebremedhin on his verified Facebook page. “This is a calculated effort to silence the voices of the Southern Zone and hide the truth from the people of Tigray.”
Peace Demonstration Planned in Maichew
In a clear show of resistance, a peaceful public demonstration is scheduled for tomorrow in Maichew town, the administrative heart of the Southern Zone. Organizers say the protest is intended to oppose the use of military force to remove zonal leadership and to demand respect for the people’s democratic voice.
Community organizers stress that the demonstration will be peaceful and lawful, calling on residents of all backgrounds elders, students, farmers, and professionals to show unity in the face of what they describe as political repression.
“We are not marching against Tigray, we are marching to protect it from internal decay,” said one of the demonstration coordinators, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons. “This is our land. We deserve a say in how it is governed.”
The demonstration is expected to draw significant crowds, marking one of the first major public mobilizations in Southern Tigray since the war ended in late 2022.
Salsay Woyane Demands Resignation
Amid growing public discontent, the Salsay Woyane Tigray (SWT) party has officially called for the resignation of President Tadesse Worede, holding him responsible for authorizing what they call a “military coup against the people.”
“President Tadesse has lost his legitimacy by ruling through force, not consensus,” the SWT statement reads. “His resignation is the first step toward restoring stability, justice, and lawful governance in post-war Tigray.”
Deepening Crisis in the South
The political crisis began earlier this week when the administration of Southern Tigray was abruptly removed and replaced, reportedly under direct military pressure. The entire restructuring was carried out without community consultation and has since triggered waves of protest and condemnation.
Delegates who met Tadesse Worede in Mekelle say they were offered no legal justification for the removals and were denied the opportunity to engage the media.
Across Mekoni,Bora Chelena, Addishihu, Alamata, Korem, Maichew, and Ofla, posters have appeared calling for nonviolent resistance under the slogan: “We will not be ruled by force.”
Federal Government Remains Silent
Despite the crisis and growing regional instability, the Ethiopian federal government has remained completely silent. No comment has been issued by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed or any federal spokesperson, raising suspicions of quiet complicity or calculated neglect.
“The federal government can’t pretend neutrality while watching a region fall into internal chaos,” said Dr. Selam Fisseha, a Horn of Africa analyst. “Their silence is not passive it’s a form of consent.”
Pretoria Agreement Undermined
Observers warn that this crisis undermines the credibility of the Pretoria Agreement, which ended the Tigray War and mandated the establishment of an inclusive and representative Interim Administration. Instead, critics argue, the current leadership is consolidating power through undemocratic means.
“This is not peace-building. This is authoritarianism with a local face,” said a civic activist based in abroad.
A Region on the Brink
As tension builds and Maichew prepares for a major demonstration, Tigray’s future hangs in uncertainty. With the people of Southern Tigray now standing up for their right to local self-rule, the coming days may prove decisive for the survival of democratic norms in the war-torn region.
“They disarmed us with the promise of peace,” said an elder in Raya. “But if they rule us through fear, then the war never truly ended.”
