TPLF Overwhelmed by Long-Standing Challenges, Says Mekelle's Interim Mayor

'The TPLF has been overwhelmed by long-standing challenges, making it difficult to move forward,' said Berhane Gebre-Eyesus, the interim mayor of Mekelle appointed by the interim administration.

The mayor made these remarks during a meeting with the city's youth.

'The TPLF has been weighed down by numerous long-standing challenges, making it difficult to move forward,' the mayor stated. He added, 'Instead of addressing the problems they created, they have stopped thinking and plunged the people into deep suffering.'

'The idea of a Tigrayan saying, "I govern myself; I choose my own path," should not be subjected to any attack,' the mayor emphasized. He further noted, 'Disrupting the Pretoria agreement that connects us with the federal government is akin to endangering the people.'

Since November 21, 2017 (Ethiopian calendar), Berhane Gebre-Eyesus has been serving as the mayor of Mekelle under the Tigray interim administration. Although he has not yet entered his office, he has been delivering messages in his capacity as mayor by attending various public gatherings and discussions in the city.

Mekelle, which has seen two mayors appointed by both the TPLF (Dr. Debretsion) and the interim administration, has been without a functioning mayor for the past 86 days due to political disagreements among its leaders.

According to information obtained by Tikva Ethiopia from its sources, the regional police commission had ordered the security forces to allow Mayor Berhane Gebre-Eyesus to access his office, but the order has not been implemented.