In his inaugural speech at the handing over ceremony of the Presidency of Tigray Interim Administration’s new president-elect, General Tadese Worede said that his upcoming responsibility is both a burden and an opportunity.
Indeed, it is a big responsibility, and considering the stockpiles of problems that have accumulated in Tigray over the last four years, it is a big burden for the incoming president.
Yet as he also articulated with the help of all stakeholders, it is possible to make it a good chance to achieve the assignment given to him as per the document he signed. If there is a will there is a way. If all the political actors in Tigray can fight for the cause, they pursued during the two years of conflict, why not for peace, stability and development? Is it not the dearest thing in the world worth fighting for? Is it not the priority agenda that the people of Tigray paid sacrifice for over half a century?
This is definitely what everybody honestly pursues. The Pretoria Peace Agreement is a deal that is accepted by all sides including TPLF, the people of Tigray and elites. One of the signatories, the Federal government has been discharging its responsibilities since day 1 for the full implementation of the agreement. However, major drawbacks were observed on the side of TPLF especially the internal discrepancy that obstructed the functioning of the Interim Administration headed by Getachaw Reda.
Getachew has received due acknowledgement for his capable leadership in spite of the hurdles and was given a farewell by the Prime Minister as he concluded his two-year term. He is succeeded by General Tadese Woreda, his former deputy, and leader of Tigray Combatants during the war.
The appointment of General Tadese by the Prime Minister is also accepted by the TPLF. Henceforth, all efforts should be channelled towards ensuring durable peace, and stability restoring law and order. It takes peace to talk about anything even war itself. Then follows all other quests with the joint support of the federal government and other stakeholders.
In addition to this, General Taddese is given the demanding task of achieving a series of goals that he should achieve by working in collaboration with all stakeholders. These should have been accomplished over two years ago when the interim administration took office following the entry into force of the monumental Pretoria peace agreement that clinched the two-year bloody war. However, due to complications created by the TPLF, no significant progress was scored in the region. It is so sad to see Tigray is still lingering in problems that are mainly the outcome of the devastating war coupled with the issues handed down from the past.
Now that General Tadesse has become president of the interim administration, TPLF and other main actors should do whatever it takes and work towards permanently resolving the prevailing problem in the region. General Tadese should also employ the influence of his office to guide the people, TPLF leadership, combatants and other main actors towards relieving Tigray from the scars of the war, and ready it to move on equal pace with the rest of the country.
All stakeholders from home and abroad also need due acknowledge for their contribution so far and uphold their role so that they can hold a stance to the extent of calling a spade a spade should the targeted goals set to eh interim administration are not achieved.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 10 APRIL 2025
