Statement by the Tigray Interim Administration (IRA) on Current Developments

It's a well-known fact that following the split of the TPLF leadership into two camps, one of the two had conducted an illegal party congress. Since its illegal congress, this clique has been making a mockery of law and order in Tigray, determined to spread anarchy in Tigray and create popular apprehension. 

This faction has also been busy eroding the unity of the people of Tigray and belittling and smearing our people. It is also engaged in a nonstop smear campaign against the IRA leadership as well as that of the security forces. Claiming on the one hand that "the security forces are with us," and on the other hand that "we have an understanding with the federal government," this faction has been preoccupied with confusing our people. 

Now this faction has proclaimed an official putsch to put into practice the blustering chest-thumping that it has displayed in various forums. Having mistaken the IRA's patience so as to avoid eroding the unity of the people of Tigray for weakness, today, October 7, 2024, this faction officially declared its unwavering desire to make Tigray lawless.

It has undertaken this irresponsible step deliberately to engineer instability and crisis, not because the processes of how and when governmental powers can be secured are lost on it. Above all else, choosing this chest-thumping at a time when efforts towards restoring Tigray's territorial integrity are bearing fruits makes it clear that this faction's sole interest is holding onto power, not tending to our people's needs and associations. 

The Tigray Interim Administration cannot and will not tolerate such reckless actions. Taking into account the fact that this faction had mistaken the IRA's prior efforts to preserve our people's unity for weakness, the IRA will take legal actions against this destructive faction's leadership. We would like to make it clear to our people that this faction and its leadership will assume sole responsibility for any and all consequences that ensue. 

The IRA would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate its commitment to mobilizing its capacities to ensure the full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement to address our people's fundamental questions and ensure law and order. 
 
Tigray Interim Administration 
October 7, 2024
Mekelle