Tigray Democratic Solidarity

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Tigray Democratic Solidarity [1][2][3]
Tigrinya: ዲሞክራስያዊ ስምረት ትግራይ
AbbreviationSimret
LeaderGetachew Reda [4][1][3][5]
FoundedMay 26, 2025 [1][2][3]
Membership5,600+ [4]
IdeologyLiberalism [6]

The Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Tigrinya: ዲሞክራስያዊ ስምረት ትግራይ), also known as Simret (Tigrinya for "Solidarity"), is a newly formed political party in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.[1] [5] [3] [2] [7] [8]

History and Formation

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The Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Simret) was granted provisional registration by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) on 26 May 2025.[2]

The party's formation follows a major internal rift within the long-dominant Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the NEBE's subsequent revocation of the TPLF's legal status as a political party on 13 May 2025.[3][5][9] Simret's leadership is drawn from a faction of former TPLF senior officials and allies who were expelled from the party in 2024 after a public split.[9][10]

Leadership and Structure

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On October 24, 2025, the party held its constituent assembly in Addis Ababa, attended by 256 members.[4] The assembly formally elected the party's first leadership structure.[4]

The elected leadership positions include:

  • President: Getachew Reda
  • First Vice President: Nega Assefa
  • Vice President: Haftu Kiros
  • Head of the Secretariat: Seble Assefa
  • Chairman of the Control and Inspection Commission: Gebrehiwot Gebreselassie
  • Deputy Chairman of the Control and Inspection Commission: Abrehaley Abera

In addition to the main posts, seven executive committee members and 31 council members were appointed.[4] The party reported having over 5,600 registered members, though security concerns prevented many from attending the assembly.[4]

Ideology and Political Platform

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Simret's stated ideology is Liberalism.[6] Its platform is centered on democratic principles, the rule of law, and civil political struggle.[11]

Core Policies and Principles

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  • Anti-Oppression Stance: The party was established to "peacefully counter the oppression faced by the Tigray people" under the TPLF.[4]
  • TPLF Opposition: President Getachew Reda stated that the TPLF continues to undermine peace in the region and across the country by coordinating with external actors.[4]
  • Civil and Peaceful Struggle: Commitment to achieving political change through peaceful, civil, and democratic means, explicitly rejecting armed struggle or military affiliation.[11]
  • Self-Determination and Autonomy: Upholding the right to self-determination and constitutional autonomy for the people of Tigray.[11]
  • Inclusive Governance: Advocating for inclusive leadership, cooperation with other political parties, and rejecting the historical "one-party state" model in Tigray.[12]
  • National Prosperity: A representative of the federal Prosperity Party attended the inaugural assembly, stating that Simret would contribute to strengthening Ethiopia's capacity for sustainable development and future prosperity.[4]

Political Context

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Due to its origins, the party is viewed by some analysts and opposition figures as a splinter group of the TPLF, while the leadership has sought to distance itself from the TPLF's historical vanguardist and military-political model.[13][12] Simret has been accused by critics of being backed by the Ethiopian federal government to challenge TPLF dominance in Tigray, an accusation the party has denied, stressing its independence.[14][11] Lt. Gen. Tsedkan Gebretnisae, a military figure at the assembly, praised the party's founding as a reflection of the Tigray people's commitment to peaceful, idea-driven political engagement, criticizing the TPLF for politically exploiting the population.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d About Simret: The Voice of Tigray's Democratic Future, 23 October 2025, retrieved 25 October 2025
  2. ^ a b c d እዋናዊ መግለፂ ውድብ ዴሞክራስያዊ ስምረት ትግራይ (ስምረት), Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Simret) Facebook, 28 May 2025, retrieved 2 June 2025
  3. ^ a b c d e 'ስምረት'፡ ጌታቸው ረዳ ዝመርሖ ውድብ ስነ ሓሳቡ ቀይሩ ድዩ? (in Tigrinya), BBC News Tigrinya, 27 May 2025, retrieved 2 June 2025
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Mr. Getachew Reda Elected President of Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Simret) Party". Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FMC). 25 October 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b c BREAKING: NEBE Issues Temporary Certificate to New Tigray Party, TMH TV, 26 May 2025, retrieved 2 June 2025
  6. ^ a b "Getachew Reda Charts New Course with Formation of Tigray Liberal Democratic Party, Redefining Ethiopia's Politics". Horn Review. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025. The party was initially reported to be named the 'Tigray Liberal Democratic Party' before its official registration as Tigray Democratic Solidarity.
  7. ^ ውድብ ዲሞክራስያዊ ስምረት ትግራይ ጊዜያዊ ኣፍልጦ ረኺቡ ምንቅስቓስ ጀሚሩ (in Tigrinya), Tigray TV (Tigrai TV), 1 June 2025, retrieved 2 June 2025
  8. ^ Solidarity Party of Getachew Reda to Meet in Tigray within 45 Days, NewsAddis, 31 May 2025, retrieved 2 June 2025
  9. ^ a b "Ethiopia situation update (11 June 2025)". ACLED. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  10. ^ "The Turbulent Career of Getachew Reda". African Arguments. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "Setting The Record Straight On Simret (Tigrai Democratic Solidarity)". The Reporter Ethiopia. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Multiple Centers Of Power In Tigray Pushes Region To Near State Of Chaos, Fear". The Reporter Ethiopia. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  13. ^ "TPLF's Splinter Party: A Force For Change Or A Federal Trojan Horse In Tigray?". The Reporter Ethiopia. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Tigray Tensions; IS Sahel Offensive: Africa File, June 26, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.