[By Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group, Undercover Investigation Team Unit, Mekelle, Tigray, 6 January 2025]
Amidst Tigray’s Political Crisis of Leadership in Post-Genocide Tigray
Introduction
Tigray is suffering from a devastating genocidal war, faces a pivotal moment in its political and social transformation. Amidst calls for urgent reforms and generational change, General Tadesse Werede, the 78-year-old vice president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA), has come under intense scrutiny for his perceived leadership failures, accountability, bad governance, and sabotage of the TIRA functions. His recent public interviews have ignited widespread criticism, reflecting a growing dissatisfaction with his inability—or refusal—to address the pressing realities faced by Tigrayans today.
This report provides a comprehensive investigative analysis of General Tadesse Werede’s performance, allegations of incompetence, detachment from reality, sabotage, and complicity in corruption. It also explores the broader implications of his leadership failures and collusion to undermine the TIRA and conspiring with the Debretsion splinter group to sabotage the implementation of the Pretoria peace agreement.
The TIRA President must take decisive and concrete actions to rebuild trust in public office, accountability, and good governance in advancing Tigray’s political recovery.
A Leadership Out of Touch with Reality and Conspire to Seize Power at the Expenses of Tigray’s Survival and National Interest
General Tadesse Werede’s leadership has been marked by a glaring disconnect from the realities faced by ordinary Tigrayans. His interviews and public statements demonstrate his inability—or deliberate refusal—to acknowledge the suffering and demands of the public.
Generational Disconnect
Over 75% of Tigray’s population is under the age of 40, representing a youthful demographic that demands urgent political and economic transformation. However, General Tadesse has failed to engage with this younger generation, dismissing their calls for change and maintaining outdated perspectives that hinder unity, progress, and instability in Tigray.
Denial of Political Realities
Despite clear evidence of political discontent, General Tadesse continues to downplay the need for reforms, avoiding direct engagement with urgent issues such as governance transparency, anti-corruption, economic recovery, and generational leadership transitions.
Empty Rhetoric and Absence of Solutions But Works to Sabotage and Paralyse the TIRA
In his recent interviews, General Tadesse offered no tangible solutions to the challenges confronting Tigray. Instead, his statements reflected a focus on identifying problems without presenting viable strategies and resolutions. This lack of vision has reinforced perceptions that he is more committed to preserving the status quo than driving meaningful change.
General Tadesse’s main objectives are to sabotage and paralyse the TIRA, not to function and encourage public anger against the TIRA president, Getachew Reda. He works with Debretsion Gebremichael and the Gerealta Institute to remove Getachew Reda from the presidency so that he can pop up to become the TIRA president on the back door.
He supports the splinter group led by Debretsion and is a threat to the people of Tigray’s way of life and the best interest of Tigrayan people. He is motivated by greed and power and is becoming the main obstacle to the TIRA government’s functioning weakness in implementing the peace agreement.
With General Tadesse backing behind the scenes, the splinter Debretsion group and PFDJ (ህግደፍ) are planning to assassinate General Tsadkan, who is seen as an arch-enemy of the Eritrean government and the Debretsion splinter group. Because the Debretsion splinter group and PFDJ (ህግደፍ) cause them greater anxiety about what General Tsadkan is doing in establishing the youth to demand democracy, justice, accountability, and good governance. The cooperation between the PFDJ and Debretsion splinter group is moving faster to take decisive measures against their common enemy, General Tsadkan. We would like to remind General Tsadkan to take his security and safety seriously.
As a result, Tigray is becoming vulnerable to its territorial integrity and has been made the laughing stock internationally, trashing the people of Tigray’s patriotism they have shown against the genocidal war. The people of Tigray should take back control of their lives, their survival, and their sovereignty into their own hands away from the corrupt and illusive leaders like General Tadesse.
Allegations of Corruption and Mismanagement
1. Illegal Gold Mining and Metals Investigation
A central controversy surrounding General Tadesse involves allegations of corruption and mismanagement related to illegal gold mining and precious metal extraction in Tigray. While he claims that investigations into these activities are “nearing completion,” his involvement raises serious questions about his credibility, accountability, and independence of the investigative process.
2. Who Guards the Guards?
The investigation into illegal mining highlights the dangers of placing oversight responsibilities in the hands of those who themselves may be implicated. General Tadesse’s role in supervising this investigation, despite his own questionable connections to the illegal mining operations, undermines public trust and raises suspicions of cover-ups and conflicts of interest.
3. Demands for Independent Oversight
Given the gravity of these allegations, this report calls for an independent investigative body, free from political and military influence, to ensure accountability. General Tadesse himself must be investigated to determine the extent of his involvement in corruption and illicit activities that put Tigray’s survival and national interest at greater risk and in a harmful way.
The Contradictions of Power and Accountability
1. “An Outsider Inside the TIRA Government”
General Tadesse’s repeated attempts to portray himself as an outsider to the TIRA government, despite serving as its vice president, exemplify his failure to take responsibility for his actions.
This contradictory position reflects:
- Deflection of Accountability: By positioning himself as detached from government decision-making, General Tadesse evades accountability for the failures of the administration he helps lead.
- Manipulation of Public Perception: His rhetoric seeks to absolve him of responsibility while maintaining influence within the very structures he claims to be removed from—an approach that deepens mistrust among the public.
2. “Part of the Problem, Not the Solution”
Far from addressing Tigray’s pressing challenges, General Tadesse’s leadership has actively contributed to deepening the crisis:
- Failure to Provide Direction: Instead of leading transformative reforms, his inaction and outdated strategies have stalled progress, exacerbating the region’s instability.
- Undermining Unity: His refusal to address generational divides and his alienation of younger leaders have fuelled fragmentation, creating obstacles to reconciliation and unity.
Digital Polling and Public Sentiment the People’s Verdict—A Crisis of Legitimacy and Public Rejection
- Surveys conducted by Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Groups reveal overwhelming public dissatisfaction with General Tadesse’s leadership:
- 80–90% Rejection Rate: Digital platforms tracking public sentiment indicate widespread disapproval of his policies and rhetoric.
- Demand for New Leadership: Tigrayans, especially younger generations, are calling for leaders who reflect their aspirations and priorities—leaders who are principled, visionary, and accountable.
Charting the Path Forward—Recommendations for Tigray’s Political Solutions
1. Empower the Interim Government
The Tigray Interim Government must be allowed to govern effectively without interference from:
- TDF: The TDF should be depoliticised and focus solely on security and defence.
- The TPLF Political Network: TPLF figures must refrain from sabotaging reforms and undermining governance through conspiracies and backdoor dealings.
2. Establish Independent Investigations
Corruption Oversight: Form an independent investigative body to examine allegations of corruption and illegal activities, including General Tadesse’s involvement.Judicial Reforms: Implement reforms to ensure accountability mechanisms are transparent and free from political influence.
3. Embrace Generational Leadership
- Youth Empowerment: Policies should prioritise empowering Tigray’s youth, who represent the majority, to lead the post-genocide transformation.
- Leadership Renewal: Replace ageing and out-of-touch leaders with dynamic and forward-thinking individuals capable of addressing modern challenges.
4. Focus on Political Reconciliation
- Inclusive Dialogue: Promote reconciliation through inclusive dialogue that incorporates diverse voices and perspectives.
- Democratic Reforms: Strengthen democratic institutions to foster transparency, accountability, and participatory governance.
A Call for Accountability and Reform
General Tadesse Werede’s leadership embodies the very dysfunctions that have hindered Tigray’s recovery and transformation. His detachment from reality, refusal to provide solutions, and questionable involvement in corruption underscore the urgent need for accountability and reform.
Tigray cannot afford to remain shackled by outdated leadership and hidden agendas. It is time to empower new voices, hold corrupt officials accountable, and build a governance structure that reflects the aspirations of its people.
A Struggle for Justice and Integrity
The people of Tigray deserve transparent governance rooted in accountability, integrity, and justice. The days of impunity must end. This report serves as both a warning and a call to action—demanding that those who betray public trust must be held accountable and face the consequences of their actions.
Toward Accountability, Renewal, and Hope
Tigray’s recovery demands leadership that reflects the aspirations of its people—leadership rooted in accountability, transparency, and reform. General Tadesse Werede’s failure underscores the urgent need for generational change and bold, principled governance to chart a path forward.
The time has come for Tigrayans to reclaim their freedom, liberty and their future free from corruption, political stagnation, bad governance, repression, and misplaced loyalties. This report calls for immediate reforms, independent investigations, and the empowerment of a new generation of leaders to deliver the transformation Tigray so desperately needs.
The Tigray Media Watch (TMW) Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group’s Undercover Investigation Team will expose hidden irregularities and corruption linked to General Tadesse, Debretsion, other corrupt generals and officials. This investigation spans 25 years of activities, uncovering systemic abuses, financial crimes, and collusion with illicit networks.
Our undercover investigation team is tracking and watching the corrupt officials and generals movements closely and exposing them in the public interest.