ADDIS ABABA — Getachew Reda, an adviser to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on East African affairs, has launched a strong criticism of the leadership of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), accusing it of making serious strategic miscalculations and pursuing an alliance that he described as deeply flawed.
Getachew said the TPLF leadership had made what he characterized as some of the worst strategic decisions in its history. According to him, the group’s leaders had misjudged the political and security situation and failed to properly assess the consequences of their decisions.
He also accused the TPLF leadership of forming an alliance with Eritrea, portraying the reported alignment as a major strategic error. Getachew described the parties involved in the alliance as having failed in their calculations and suggested that their decisions could have serious political and security consequences.
His comments come amid heightened tensions in northern Ethiopia, particularly in and around the Tigray region, where political disagreements and security concerns have resurfaced following the 2022 peace agreement.
The relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea has also become increasingly contentious. Addis Ababa has recently demanded the withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Ethiopian territory, particularly from Tigray, while tensions between the two governments continue to rise.
Getachew’s criticism appears to reflect the Ethiopian federal government’s increasingly confrontational position toward the TPLF leadership. His remarks also highlight the importance of regional alliances in the evolving political and security situation in the Horn of Africa.
The TPLF leadership has faced growing pressure over its political and security decisions, while disagreements between Tigrayan authorities and the federal government have continued to fuel uncertainty over the future of the region.
Getachew did not provide detailed evidence in the remarks cited to support his characterization of the alleged alliance or explain what specific measures the government might take in response.
The TPLF has not immediately responded to the latest accusations.
The developments come at a sensitive time for Ethiopia, with concerns that continued tensions involving the federal government, Tigray and Eritrea could further destabilize northern Ethiopia and create broader regional security risks.
