Tigray Interim President Tadesse Werede Says TPLF’s Move to Reinstate 2020 Council “Rejects the Pretoria Agreement”

The President of the Interim Administration of Tigray, Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, has criticized the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for its decision to reinstate the regional government council elected six years ago, saying the move “rejects the Pretoria Agreement.”

Tadesse made the remarks at a press conference on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. He said the TPLF’s decision to restore the pre‑war governing council “will not benefit the Pretoria Agreement” and risks undermining the progress made since the signing of the accord.

His statement comes days after the TPLF, following a Central Committee meeting last week, announced that it had decided to reinstate the Tigray Regional State Council elected in the 2020 regional elections held before the start of the Tigray war.

Responding to the announcement, Tadesse said the decision by the TPLF — a signatory to the Pretoria Agreement — amounts to rejecting the commitments outlined in the peace deal. He described the move as “a possible war,” warning that it could reopen tensions rather than support the ongoing transition.

“The alternative is to continue the war or to maintain the existing peace in a sustainable manner,” he said, stressing that the process of transferring power within the interim administration should not become a source of political friction.

Tadesse added that it is important to consider “the positive and negative impacts” of reinstating a council elected six years ago. He said “continued discussions will be necessary to resolve the issue,” emphasizing that dialogue remains essential to addressing the political dispute that has emerged.

Meanwhile, the Interim Administration President announced that the cabinet will continue its work. He said regional government offices will operate as usual and will continue carrying out their responsibilities while political discussions continue.