Tadesse Werede is under house arrest, reports say
Tadesse Werede, the former chairman of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration, is reportedly under house arrest in Mekele following his removal from office. Reports indicate that his movement is restricted, with security officials recently blocking a scheduled meeting with the U.S. Ambassador.
Why it matters
The situation highlights ongoing political instability and restricted diplomatic access in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
The fate of Tadesse Werede, the former chairman of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration, has remained uncertain since his removal from office despite various reports and speculation. BBC Tigrinya reported, citing informed sources, he has been placed under house arrest at his home in Mekele, the capital of the Tigray region.
Sources said that since May 5, 2026, when he was removed from his position and replaced by Debretsion Gebremichael, Tadesse has not returned to the president’s office and has had no contact with the regional administration.
However, the sources said he still has some freedom of movement. He has continued to visit his private office near his residence, spends much of his time at home reading, and has occasionally met people at his office and at Planet Hotel. Such meetings, the sources said, are believed to take place with the approval of authorities and under security supervision.
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