By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
ADDIS ABABA, 16 October 2026 Ethiopia's federal government has appointed a six-month caretaker administration for the Tigray region.
The decision comes as government forces have made major advances, capturing large parts of Tigray, including the regional capital Mekelle.
According to an announcement by the Office of the Prime Minister on social media, the administration is tasked with restoring peace and stability, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring public services and preparing the region for free and transparent elections.
The decision follows a resolution by the House of Federation and a subsequent binding decision by the Council of Ministers.
The appointed officials are:
Assefa Abreha Hagos – Chief Executive Officer of Administration and Public Services
Dr. Tewodros Aregawe W/Selassie – Chief Executive Officer of Economy and Reconstruction
Brigadier General Gebre-Egziabher Beyene Hailu – Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Security
Redae Halefom W/Selassie – Chief Executive Officer of Political and Public Mobilization
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Dr. Shishay Amare – Mayor of Mekelle City
A TPLF spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the decision.
The statement accused the TPLF leadership of obstructing repeated efforts to resolve the Tigray conflict under the Pretoria peace agreement. It said the TPLF had rejected peace and launched a destructive war for the fourth time, which it said had once again ended in the group's defeat.
The fighting that erupted in late September effectively ended the 2022 Pretoria ceasefire and the fragile peace that followed the Tigray war. Before that, in July, the TPLF said the Pretoria agreement had collapsed, accusing the federal government of failing to implement key provisions. The government rejected that characterisation, saying it remained committed to the peace process and accusing the TPLF of undermining the agreement.
After nearly two weeks of heavy fighting, federal forces entered Mekelle as forces of the TPLF-led opposition alliance withdrew from the city. In a statement, the TPLF said it had "temporarily moved out of Mekelle" to "operate from somewhere else."
Government forces have since extended their control. Ethiopian forces and their allies said they had expanded their hold across Tigray and entered the historic city of Aksum, as fighting continues.
The caretaker administration is expected to restore government institutions, resume essential social services, repair war-damaged infrastructure and help displaced people return to their homes.
Its mandate will be limited to routine governance and preparing for elections, and it will operate under the direction and oversight of the federal government.