Source: Addis Standard October 16, 2026

Addis Abeba — Ethiopia’s federal government has established a caretaker administration to govern the Tigray Region for six months, with a mandate to restore public services, address security challenges, facilitate the return of displaced people, and prepare the region for a “free and transparent election,” according to an announcement outlining the administration’s responsibilities.

The administration will operate under the direction and supervision of the federal government, with its activities guided by what the announcement described as “Ethiopia’s national interests, Ethiopia’s territorial integrity, and the fundamental interests of the people of Tigray.”

The announcement outlines a six-month period running approximately from May to November 2026. It does not specify an election date.

According to the announcement made through Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office, the caretaker administration is tasked with rebuilding government institutions, restoring war-damaged infrastructure, resuming disrupted social services, and creating conditions for displaced residents to return to their homes and villages. It is also expected to coordinate with federal defense, police and security institutions, as well as Tigray’s security forces, to restore stability from the regional level down to local administrations.

Under the stated mandate, the administration is to facilitate the disarmament and rehabilitation of armed groups, restructure the region’s security framework, and undertake measures intended to consolidate peace and restore public confidence.

The announcement also directs the administration to coordinate media activities and organize public forums, while preparing for an election described as peaceful and inclusive.

Five officials have been designated to lead the administration’s principal portfolios. Assefa Abraha Hagos will oversee administration and public services; Dr. Tewodros Aregai W/Selassie will lead economy and reconstruction; Brigadier General Gebre-Egziabher Beyene Hailu, the leader of federal-allied militia, Tigray Peace Force (TPF),will oversee peace and security; and Redai Halefom W/Selassie will be responsible for political and public organization. Dr. Shishay Amare has been designated mayor of Mekelle.

The federal government will provide the administration with guidance, direction, support and monitoring, according to the announcement.

Previous experience

The current arrangement follows a similar pattern to the federal government’s appointment of Dr. Mulu Nega on 13 November 2020 to lead a transitional administration in Tigray after war broke out earlier that month. The appointment followed a 7 November decision by the House of Federation to dissolve the TPLF-led regional government, which had been elected in September 2020, and establish a transitional administration. The federal government subsequently appointed Dr. Mulu to lead the Tigray Interim Administration, which was tasked with restoring government operations.

However, the interim administration faced significant challenges, including widespread corruption, a continued war happening in most parts of the region against the federal and Eritrean forces, damaged infrastructure, disrupted public services, mass displacement and difficulties delivering humanitarian assistance.

Although the federal government replaced Dr. Mulu with Dr. Abraham Belay in May 2021, his tenure ended when Tigrayan forces retook control of the regional capital on 28 June 2021.

The November 2022 Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement subsequently provided for the establishment of an interim regional administration as part of the post-war political settlement. However, the post-Pretoria administration was beset by disagreements over the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, divisions over the leadership and mandate of the interim administration led by Getachew Reda and later Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, and an unresolved political dispute between the federal government and the TPLF.

On 19 April, the TPLF Central Committee announced its decision to reinstate the pre-war Tigray Regional Council elected in 2020, challenging the legitimacy of the remaining post-Pretoria transitional arrangement.

The move further undermined an already fragile ceasefire, culminating in renewed fighting on 23 September 2026. Since then, federal forces, alongside allied Tigray Peace Forces (TPF) militia, have taken control of nearly all major cities and urban centres in what has been widely viewed as a significant military setback for TPLF-aligned forces.

The federal government’s new caretaker is tasked with “restoring security, disarming armed groups and holding elections within six months.”

The announcement does not provide further details on how the proposed election will be organized, how competing political authorities will be reconciled, or how the caretaker administration’s relationship with existing regional institutions will be managed. AS