Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede, President of the Tigray Regional State Interim Administration, has stated that more than 40 percent of Tigray’s territory remains under the control of invading forces. He emphasized that the administration’s primary mission is to restore the region’s territorial integrity and facilitate the return of displaced residents.

The President made these remarks during a meeting with German Ambassador to Ethiopia Jens Hanefeld at his office on May 6, 2025.

According to information obtained from the President’s office, he informed Ambassador Hanefeld that securing Tigray’s constitutional boundaries and facilitating the return of displaced communities are the administration’s top priorities. President General Tadesse also told the ambassador that the federal government should remove armed militants who are not part of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces from these areas.

President Lt. Gen. Tadesse stressed that it is the federal government’s responsibility to facilitate the return of displaced citizens to their villages and restore Tigray’s constitutional territories to their pre-war status. He further stated that the most pressing political issue in Tigray remains the return of displaced people and the restoration of its constitutional territories to their pre-war status.

Additionally, the President highlighted the ongoing process of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of the Tigray Army into civilian society. He stated that the first phase of DDR would be completed by September, while the second phase would take place alongside efforts to secure the region’s territorial integrity.

President Tadesse acknowledged that previous efforts to return displaced citizens to their homes in Tselemti had failed due to insecurity, resulting in further displacement and hardship. He stressed the need for close coordination with the federal government to facilitate the safe return of displaced people, who continue to endure extremely difficult living conditions, before summer.

The President also praised Germany for its continued support in sectors such as agriculture, education, and health, encouraging further collaboration to aid Tigray’s recovery.

Ambassador Jens Hanefeld, in response, commended the Interim Administration’s plan to resolve the crisis and affirmed Germany’s commitment to sustaining peace and advancing development in Tigray. He highlighted the importance of joint efforts to bring hope and stability to the region.