In a letter issued on October 29, 2025, the Authority instructed no less than 100 domestic and international civil society organizations to register their assets with its offices before November 23.

Among the organizations cited in the notice are Mekedonia, Deborah Foundation, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Christian Aid Commission, Catholic Aid, Full Gospel Believers Development Commission, and the Amhara Development Association.

The letter, signed by Deputy Director Fasikaw Molla, emphasized that CSOs have the legal right to own, manage, and transfer assets under the Civil Society Organization Proclamation.

However, it states that the Authority is also mandated to monitor and regulate these organizations, which includes maintaining a record of their assets to ensure that public resources are used for their intended social purposes.

The Authority argues that the lack of comprehensive data on the resources within the civil society sector necessitated this registration initiative. 

“Gathering accurate information will enable the Authority to strengthen transparency and accountability in the sector,” it reads.

Meskelu Menberu, head of fund and asset management at the Authority, told The Reporter that the registration process will proceed in phases, with the largest CSOs expected to declare their assets in the first phase.

While CSOs are already required to report their activities, financial records, and asset registry annually under the provisions of the CSO proclamation, Meskelu says there is a need to compile more in-depth information than the details provided in the annual report.

“We’re focusing on CSOs with [greater] capacity first,” he said, citing that 30 local CSOs and 70 international organizations are obliged to register their assets by next month.

An additional 100 CSOs will be expected to register before the end of the fiscal year, according to Meskelu.

The first batch of CSOs are expected to verify their assets and submit the information to the Authority via email before the deadline in three weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry of Justice are busy drafting an amendment to the CSO proclamation, which was only ratified by Parliament six years ago. Sources say they seek to revise a dozen key articles concerning registration procedures, daily operations, accounting and reporting standards, and administrative measures.

Officials at the Authority and the Ministry claim the revisions are necessary to enhance regulatory efficiency and ensure that CSOs operate in alignment with national legal and financial accountability frameworks.

However,  the proposed amendment follows more than a year of heightened government pressure on CSOs in Ethiopia, which has prompted international watchdogs and domestic observers alike to raise the alarm over what they see as an increasingly narrow civic space in the country.

In July 2024, the Authority announced its decision to revoke more than 1,500 CSO licenses for failure to meet new criteria and guidelines for registration. Less than six months later,  it suspended three prominent organizations—the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), the Centre for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR)—for “lacking political neutrality.”

Two months ago, Amnesty International cautioned that “repressive” provisions in the draft amendment from the Justice Ministry could further constrict the country’s civic space.

Among them is a provision that would effectively end self-governance by allowing the government to hold a majority on the boards of CSOs. A statement issued by the watchdog also warns against provisions restricting funding for political advocacy and election monitoring, and granting the Authority the power to suspend or deny CSO registration.

Ethiopia defaulted on its USD one billion Eurobond in December 2023, and negotiations with bondholders have been part of the country’s efforts for wider debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework.

The talks were thought to have been going well prior to this week’s developments, especially following reports in July that Ethiopia had signed an MoU with its Official Creditors Committee, granting it USD 3.5 billion in debt relief.

However, negotiations with private creditors have “reached an impasse” despite the Ethiopian government securing a 15 percent write-off.

Bondholders reportedly have reservations about the terms of the restructuring and doubts about the veracity of the country’s recent export achievements, particularly relating to gold and coffee.

Ethiopia registered a record-breaking USD 8.3 billion in export revenues in 2024/25.

However, bondholders argue the figures are not represented in the IMF’s economic forecasts, making them unwilling to accept terms they see as too lenient.

The bondholder committee has stated it is considering legal action, but remains open to considering revised proposals from Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, at the annual IMF conference this week, the Ethiopian delegation headed by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide requested additional low-interest loans in addition to the negotiations.

Economists and finance experts who spoke to The Reporter warn the government must be more cautious than ever about how it deals with debt.

Investment consultant Kefelegn Hailu observes a lack of trust is behind the negotiations falling through.

 “The Ethiopian government, for instance, claimed to have made 3.5 billion dollars from the export of coffee and gold, but the bondholders disagreed with this, claiming it did not align with IMF’s conclusions. This generates distress. The Ethiopian government claims that it has generated healthy revenue and is able to pay back the loan. An agreement must be reached at the end of the negotiations to secure more loans. Therefore, careful implementation of parallel agreements is necessary,” he said.

The PM indicated that following the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, which ended the two-year war with the TPLF, the current interim administrative structure would be replaced by a new system based on legal amendments.

He also mentioned that the interim administration will be expected to operate until the next election in a way that aligns with the Pretoria Agreement and ensures the process of empowering the people of Tigray.

When the law is amended, the performance will be reviewed and minor changes will be made, according to the PM.

He stated that his office has been part of discussions with members of the TPLF and TIA and indicated that various proposals relating to the region’s future have been submitted. Abiy hinted at evaluations for TIA officials and their actions over the last two years.

He commended the TIA, led by President Getachew Reda and deputies Lieutenant Generals Tadesse Werede and Tsadkan Gebretensae, for preventing further fighting and resolving the two-year political problems through Dialogue.

“We want to praise them for the work they have done over the last two years, even while we blame them for the earlier fighting. They have made an effort to stop more fighting,” he stated.

The Pretoria Agreement was a central theme during the parliamentary session. The PM noted that the terms of the peace deal have not been adequately implemented, particularly in relation to disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“DDR is one of the issues that have not been implemented adequately. The failure to implement DDR primarily affects the people of Tigray. Despite attempts, it has not been fully implemented. Billions of birr are spent on these young people every month and every year, but development will not happen in Tigray, if they are stealing money from the people, using the budget for the military,” said Abiy.

He said that good work had been done for IDPs in Raya and Tselemt, and acknowledged that persistent issues remain in Wolkait and its surroundings.

The Prime Minister told MPs that the federal government is prepared to facilitate the return of IDPs to their homes, “even tomorrow.”

Although the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the Pretoria Agreement and acknowledged the work ahead, he did not submit a formal report on the topic before appearing in Parliament. A regulation from the Council of Ministers requires the Prime Minister to provide a quarterly report on regional conditions to the House of Federation.

Meanwhile, the TPLF has been split into two factions, and escalating tensions between them have led to concerns over a possible renewal of conflict.

The Tigray Interim Administration was founded two years ago as part of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), which was signed by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government in November 2022. The federal government appointed Getachew Reda as President.

However, since June 2024, a rift within the TPLF between Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) and Getachew has disrupted the administration’s operations. The political split, which intensified after the TPLF’s 14th congress held in August 2024, led Debretsion’s faction to remove Getachew and several other officials, claiming they will no longer have the authority to “lead, make decisions, or issue directives.”

Analysts claim the federal government is taking advantage of the feud, pointing to the PM’s silence on the subject and his failure to submit reports on the situation for the last two years.

Two dozen countries and blocs, including the European Union, local and international civil society organizations, and others, are concerned about the situation in the Tigray region and are calling for a solution through dialogue.

Ermias Tadesse, a political and foreign relations expert who spoke with The Reporter, contends that the federal government’s decision to remain silent in all of this demonstrates its desire to gain a political advantage.

He observes that avoiding a confrontation with Tigray’s political leaders will help the federal government keep Eritrean influence to a minimum should the tensions between Addis Ababa and Asmara intensify.

Ermias also mentioned that the federal government should move to grant Tigray back its seats in Parliament.

In an interview with The Reporter two months ago, Berhan Atsbeha, communications head for opposition party Salsay Weyane Tigray, said the Pretoria Agreement was supposed to reinstate constitutional governance, which did not happen.

“That agreement is against the people because it creates a transitional administration that does not hold any representation either in the federal House of Peoples’ Representatives or in the House of Federation. Where is the constitutional order it is supposed to bring back? Two years have elapsed since it was signed and the people of Tigray have no say in what is happening in the country. We have no representation. We have no shares in any federal institutions. Getting a budget subsidy is our right; a right the federal government is weaponizing as a tool to manipulate our regional state according to its own interests. There are no rehabilitation or reconstruction works on the ground. Investment opportunities remain hanging in the air,” said Berhan.

He noted that despite the lack of representation, parliamentary legislation is adopted by the TIA.

“The administration is passing laws that are not applicable in the current socio-economic conditions. Lacking representation within the federal structure is impacting the people’s lives in so many ways. I can mention the recent economic reform as the perfect example. This reform does not consider our post-war environment still struggling to get back on its feet. Decisions over the lives of our people are made by others. The Pretoria Agreement has given away the people’s right to self determination,” said Berhan.

Experts say the tension between regional leaders, which have prompted security forces to intervene, has jeopardized not only the Pretoria Agreement but also prevented the region from being represented in any government structure and making decisions. The question of where the situation will lead, given the current tensions in the Horn of Africa, remains unsolved.

The regional security forces, which had so far been neutral in the political feud between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the TIA, has joined the fray. Its representatives characterized the interim administration as impotent and accused its leaders of failing to fulfill the duties hoisted on them under the terms of the Pretoria Agreement.

Lt. Col. Gebre Gebretsadiq, who spoke on behalf of TDF leaders, said that TIA President Getachew Reda and other key officials are ignoring their responsibilities and disregarding public interest. He labeled their alleged refusal to give up power as a “betrayal.”

The Lieutenant Colonel urged the interim administration to focus on the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement and the return of territories occupied by other forces to their constitutional status.

He claimed that the government is confusing the people by continuously promoting “reform and change” agendas with ambiguous origins and targets. Additionally, he accused the military of releasing wartime atrocity perpetrators without holding them accountable.

TDF representatives within the TIA cabinet will also be replaced if they fail to live up to their responsibilities, according to the Gebre.

Lieutenant General TadesseWerede is a member of the cabinet serving as head of security and the official TDF representative, but Gebre did not mention him by name.

The heads of TDF have decided to unify all security structures in the region under a single command, according to the Lieutenant Colonel, who declared he would not accept any changes made by dissolving the regional councils.

He underlined the TDF’s opposition to the presence of ‘unlawful armed forces’ and the establishment of training camps intended to strengthen them.

Gebre called for the disarmament process to be carried out in accordance with the Pretoria Agreement, with a focus on regional security and stability, as well as military readiness.

The Tigray Interim Administration, led by GetachewReda responded by saying that the regional security forces’ move to dismiss the administration is “illegal” and “unacceptable.

It accused the security forces of openly collaborating with illegal groups beyond their duty to “spread lawlessness” and “disintegrate the security forces.”

The interim administration, which termed the security forces’ statements as “unknown” and “unusual,” said that it had convened an emergency meeting to address the issue. It further asked security personnel to reject the decision and not carry out any commands, as the action risks a “coup” and the Pretoria Agreement.

Alula Hailu, deputy chairman of the opposition SalsayWeyane party, characterizes the armed forces’ support of the TPLF and its chairman, DebretsionGebremichael (PhD), as inappropriate.

“The Pretoria agreement issue is just a cover,” he said during an interview with The Ethiopian Reporter.

Similarly, AmdomGebreselassie, chairman of Arena Tigray party, rejected the statement, arguing that the leaders do not represent the TDF.

He said that his party had confirmed that approximately 25 senior military officers have acknowledged that they will not participate in supporting either of the feuding TPLF factions.

He also accused Debretsion’s faction of the TPLF of relying on the support of the Eritrean government.

The TPLF’s political leadership has been split for almost a year now, with the rift between the two factions deepening over the past several months.

Despite taking part in several discussions with federal officials about the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, they have continued to exchange threats and intimidation, accusing one other of “working with the federal government or with Eritrea.”

The security forces, who have an independent representative in the region’s interim administration under the Pretoria Agreement, have also stated that both factions of the party should refrain from conflicts.

But the statement issued two days ago suggests the TDF is likely to enter the fray in support of the faction led by Debretsion. Analysts who are keeping a close eye on the situation harbor serious concerns it could spiral into armed conflict.

In a press statement released on Friday, SalsayWeyane expressed its concern over the military’s siding with one faction instead of maintaining neutrality and stabilizing the region.

“Tigray remains tragically engulfed in a profound crisis stemming from the TPLF’s internal political decay, characterized by rampant corruption and destructive infighting. This internal strife is further exacerbated by the Ethiopian government’s persistent failure to honor the commitments outlined in the Pretoria agreement,” reads the statement. “In a deeply concerning development, senior leaders within the Tigrayan military have brazenly declared their support for a specific TPLF faction, attempting to seize power through force. SalsayWeyaneTigray equivocally condemns this act of unlawful power-grabbing.”

Analysts see the military’s siding with one faction as a sign of one of two things to come. One could be a target to replace Getachew’s administration with the TPLF old guard led by Debretsion, positioning the TDF as a kingmaker in the region.

The second could see the security forces take power, analysts say.

Other sources claim that Debretsion’s faction and the regional military have come to an agreement on maintaining control of the widespread and lucrative illicit gold mining taking place in Tigray. These sources say Getachew’s faction lacks access to the gold site or other kinds of leverage, leaving it unable to assert itself in Tigray’s transactional politics.