Violence Soar as TPLF’s Dispute Triggers Unrest in Tigray Region

Fenta Takele

The tranquility of the Tigray region in Ethiopia has been shattered, thanks to an escalating internal feud within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). A recent fallout leading to violent clashes between the community and the TPLF-affiliated Army 26 security forces has left a wave of fear and instability. The Debretsion Gebremichael faction of the TPLF has been accused of seizing the kebele administration’s official seal and instigating aggression. With at least 17 civilians suffering injuries, this incident has fanned the flames of an already volatile political climate rife with accusations of an attempted power grab and forced resignations. As the TPLF teeters on the brink of a split, this article delves into the root cause of the recent incidents and the wider implications for Tigray. This includes the role of the current interim government, local administrators, and the residents’ resilience for a democracy “elected by the people.”

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is a socio-political organization with a rich and convoluted history that goes back several decades. Its inception, evolution, role in the Tigray region, and more recent internal disputes play pivotal roles in understanding the current volatile situation in the region.

The TPLF was established in 1975 amid the country’s struggle against the oppressive Derg rule. The Front evolved as a potent force, rallying the people of Tigray to wage a sustained guerrilla war against the Derg regime, eventually culminating in its downfall in 1991. For more than two decades, the TPLF was at the helm of the Ethiopian political scene, steering the country through various societal, economic, and political transformations.

TPLF’s role in the Tigray region has been impactful and transformative. Initially conceived as a liberation movement, over the years, it grew into a leading political force, shaping regional policy and governance. Although the TPLF’s influence has been curbed on a national scale in recent years, its impact on the Tigray region remains significant, influencing local politics, administrative decisions, and regional governance.

In 2024, multiple factions emerged within the TPLF, catalyzed by differing ideologies, influencing strategies, and the struggle for power control.

Debretsion Gebremichael’s Faction

Debretsion Gebremichael, the current president of TPLF, leads one faction. This faction has been at the forefront of creating parallel local administrations across the region in an attempt to solidify their authority and influence. This strategy involves usurping power from administrators appointed by the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray and replacing them with administrators loyal to their cause.

Getachew Reda’s Faction

The other major faction is led by Getachew Reda, the current president of the interim government. This faction contends with the Democratic alliance for their right to govern and their different strategies for managing the ongoing issues in the region amidst increased pressure from Debretsion’s faction.

Violent Incident at Atsgebeta Village

The dispute among Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) factions spiraled out of control in a violent incident that disrupted the peace of Atsgebeta village on 19 February 2025. The situation escalated quickly, and the violence has left lasting implications on the regional political landscape and the local civilians.

Incident Overview

Events Leading to Violence

The pressing context of this conflict lies in the TPLF’s internal rift. The main factions, led by Debretsion Gebremichael and the interim government’s current president Getachew Reda, have actively contended for regional control. The build-up to the violent clash on 19 February stems from the Debretsion faction’s continuous efforts to impose their influence on local administrations by appointing parallel administrators.

In Addis Alem kebele, reportedly, there had been mounting tension as the Debretsion faction was exerting pressure on the currently-elected administrators to step down. This conflict culminated when the Tigray security forces (Army 26), aligned with the Debretsion faction, attempted to forcefully extract the kebele administration’s official seal from the local residents.

Role of Army 26 and Security Forces

Army 26’s presence in this incident was marked by controversy. They stand accused by local residents of using force, leading to civilians being injured amidst the chaos. The Debretsion faction’s security forces allegedly attacked civilians while attempting to take the official seal of the local administration.

The leader of Army 26, however, denies accusations of violence against unarmed civilians. He claimed that their entrance into the kebele was at the residents’ request, thus stressing the importance of unveiling the truth behind these allegations.

Casualties and Injuries

Victims of this incident extend from ordinary civilians to members of the security forces, reflecting the indiscriminate violence that unfolded in the face of political dispute.

Impact on Civilians

Disturbing reports suggest that at least 17 civilians were injured due to gunshots and beatings inflicted during the incident. The harm inflicted on unarmed civilians underlines the severity of the episode. Apart from physical injuries, this flock of chaos and violence has likely left deep mental and emotional scars on the residents, severely affecting their lives.

Injuries Among Security Forces

While the exact number is unspecified, it is reported that there were casualties among the security forces as well. It is unclear if these injuries resulted from internal conflicts within the forces or during the confrontation with residents. The fact that even security force members were not spared from the upsurge in violence underscores the extent of volatility that this region has dived into.

Political Dynamics in Tigray’s Local Administration

The Debretsion faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has taken a unique approach to asserting regional control. His faction has been appointing parallel local leaders across Tigray since August 2024. This controversial move is believed to be a deliberate gambit to weaken the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray and gain predominance over the contested region.

Current administrators, democratically elected by local residents, are continuously subjected to pressure from Debretsion-flavored former administrators. The latter group had been ousted by the local elections that took place in January 2025. In an attempt to pursue a peaceful transition of power, these ousted administrators pressurize their successors to yield their offices and the authority that comes with them.

Response from Local Residents

Despite the political squall, local residents of Tigray hold steadfast to their democratic principles. An instance of such a sentiment is the election conducted in Addis Alem kebele in January 2025. The residents elected local administrators, demonstrating their resolution to maintain agency in their local administration. Notably, this move was taken despite facing ongoing pressure from ousted former administrators and security threats from the warfare-torn surroundings.

Community Resistance to Factional Pressure

The Atsgebeta village incident on 19 February underscored the local residents’ resistance against the factional pressure. When Tigray security forces tried to abscond with the kebele administration seal, the local residents and elders stood their ground. They insisted on being governed by their democratically elected leaders, revealing a profound commitment to democratic rule amid grave circumstances. Defying the threats imposed by TPLF’s internal conflict, the will of the people thus emerged significantly stronger and unyielding.

The internal rift within the TPLF has undeniably caused disarray in the local leadership. Administrators appointed by the Debretsion faction have found themselves at the receiving end of local resistance. They’re constantly grappling with the lack of local legitimacy due to their narrow political backing. Concurrently, administrators appointed by the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray are pressured to cede their positions, creating a power vacuum and a volatile environment prone to potential violent escalations of the sort witnessed in Atsgebeta village.

Role of Security Forces

The role of security forces, primarily Army 26, has equally been affected. As alleged by local residents, they have been caught up in the factional power grab, being used by the Debretsion faction to enforce its political agenda. The extent of their involvement increased from diplomatic persuasion to outright violent confrontations with civilians. The erosion of their neutral role in maintaining law and order and transitioning to a factional force is a worrying escalation and poses severe challenges to day-to-day governance and security in Tigray.

Regional opposition partieshave unequivocally condemned the violent incident at Atsgebeta village. They’ve accused security forces of overstepping their bounds in an attempt to grab power for the Debretsion faction. Opposition parties are exploiting the situation, using the events as evidence to decry the factional politics of TPLF as detrimental to Tigray Region’s stability. It’s an alarm bell for them to work harder in uniting the populace and preserving peace.

The community feedback has also been one of outrage and disappointment. The residents of Atsgebeta village and beyond in the region are in anguish. They lashed out against the violent interference by the security forces in their local administrative affairs. Despite the hostilities faced, they continue to insist on being governed by the leaders actually elected by their community. The adoption of this stance can potentially lead to further resistance against any imposed factional forces. The TPLF internal dispute has turned what was to be a peaceful transition of power into a battleground, adding to the plight of the Tigray residents.