Press release; On April 21, 2025, the Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) held its first engagement with His Excellency General Tadesses Worede, the new President of the Tigray Interim Administration (TIA). The meeting lasted four hours and covered key agenda items, which GSTS believes should be the priority for action for the President and his administration. Emphasis was placed on the following:

1. Revitalisation of the transitional process through the formation of a new, more inclusive transitional government: On ensuring inclusive governance through equitable representation of all political actors and civil voices, as well as overhauling the governance structures in the cabinet and across all representative and administrative tiers including a robustly mandated Interim Council that exercises legislative and oversight powers;

2. Sustaining Peace through Timely and Effective Implementation of the Pretoria Agreement: On the swift and full implementation of the agreement, including the removal of non-ENDF forces, restoring Tigray’s territorial integrity in line with the constitution, and enabling the dignified return of IDPs and refugees to their homes, land, and property;

3. National Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission: On the need for a comprehensive, inclusive, and credible dialogue and reconciliation process based on fact-finding and truth-telling to address past grievances and build lasting peace through victim-centered accountability and effective remedies;

4. Independent Inquiry Commission: On the importance of the establishment of an independent inquiry commission to investigate the recent alleged assassination attempt on President Getachew Reda, the forced removal of the former interim administration, human rights violations against the former TIA officials and supporters, as well as public grievances in various parts of Tigray;

5. Creating Enabling Environment for Democratic Elections, Legitimate Governance and Rule of Law: On the need to lay all the necessary groundwork for the upcoming elections to be free, fair, transparent and credible by preserving the recent democratic dispensation Tigray, including the freedom of the press and assembly, has witnessed and establishing rule of law, accountability and transparency in governance;

6. Party-State Separation: On the importance of strengthening the institutional independence of government and its structures; and fully decoupling the roles of party and government and ensure effective government functioning, clear delineation of boundaries and state-building;

7. Transparent and Accountable Natural and Public Resources Governance: On the effective public oversight and accountability in the use and management of land, mining resources, and other public resources, including the public ownership of the Endowment Fund for the Rehabilitation of Tigray (EFFORT) enterprises and their asset; and

8. Security Sector Reform: This involves civilian control over military and security forces, clear delineation of responsibilities among the Army, the Police, and the Militia, and unification of all Army commanders and their units.

GSTS commended President General Tadesse Werede for his openness and commitment to fruitful engagement. During the meeting, the GSTS presented its positions to the President on the above and related issues and expressed its readiness for continued engagement to support Tigray’s recovery and smooth transition. Following this fruitful engagement, GSTS will release detailed statements and actionable frameworks for the implementation of the above-listed priority areas for TIA’s action.

Global Society of Tigray Scholars and
Professionals (GSTS)