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Getachew Reda posing for a picture in Dubai on March 30, 2025. Photo: Jim Stenman In this exclusive interview, recently-ousted Tigray Interim President Getachew Reda discusses the events that led to his removal, the internal power struggles within the TPLF, and his beliefs about the future of Tigray, Ethiopia and the region. Interview by Jim Stenman with reporting by Bonface Orucho for bird story agency Tigray is a mountainous region in northern Ethiopia, holding deep historical, cultural, economic and geopolitical significance. The 'birthplace of the ancient Aksumite civilization,' according to National Geographic, this region is home to archaeological wonders like the towering obelisks of Aksum and the Church of St. Mary of Zion—reputedly the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Just northeast lies Adwa, the historic battlefield where Ethiopia’s forces triumphed over Italian colonial troops in 1896. As the northernmost regional state in Ethiopia, the area is highly strategic, bordering both Eritrea and Sudan, making it a key player in the Horn of Africa’s complex geopolitical landscape. The region is also a potential economic powerhouse thanks to its mineral wealth. Omna Tigray, a global advocacy group, reports that Tigray once supplied up to 2,600 kg of gold annually to Ethiopia’s central bank, generating over US$100 million in export revenue. Beyond gold, its rich deposits of gemstones, copper, granite, and petroleum shales signal immense untapped potential. However, the scars of a 2020–2022 civil war remain raw. The conflict between Tigrayan forces, Ethiopia’s federal government, and Eritrean troops claimed an estimated 600,000 lives, displaced millions, and left a trail of human rights atrocities, according to Human Rights Watch. The Pretoria Agreement, signed in late 2022, was meant to end the bloodshed and pave the way for reconstruction and stability. However, internal divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have fueled a new crisis. In March 2025, those divisions saw the surprise ousting of Tigray's interim regional administrator, Getachew Reda, exposing deep fractures within the party and raising fears of renewed conflict. The "coup" in the TPLF has not only left Tigray politically unstable but also strained relations with Ethiopia’s federal government. Getachew, however, insists that he is still technically in charge—continuing to sign official documents and oversee administrative affairs from abroad. He also plans to return to Ethiopia shortly but has expressed deep concerns for his personal safety in Tigray. bird story agency contributor Jim Stenman caught up with Getachew Reda in Dubai, where he has been receiving medical treatment. In this exclusive interview, the politician discusses the events that led to his removal, the internal power struggles within the TPLF, and why he believes succession remains a pressing issue. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. How are you coming to terms with what’s transpired in recent weeks? The past two years have been a rollercoaster. My hope was that the Pretoria Agreement (Ethiopia–Tigray peace accord) would help put the past to rest and focus on rehabilitation, reconstruction, and the return of displaced people, in line with the peace treaty. It was meant to restore social services like education and healthcare as the destruction from the civil war has been immense. Unfortunately, much time has been wasted on infighting within the TPLF leadership. It’s tragic because my party is responsible for the continued suffering of the Tigrayan people. When did you realise your time as President of Tigray was over? From the start, I knew collaboration would be tough, if not impossible. As an outlier among the five party leaders, I wasn’t part of the armed struggle tradition. I hoped my colleagues would accept that TPLF could no longer monopolise power. Instead, they sabotaged both the Pretoria Agreement and Tigray’s interim administration. Eight or nine months in, it was clear they were focused solely on consolidating their control, sidelining anyone who questioned them. They branded me a sellout for working with the federal government, which was part of my role as interim leader under Ethiopia’s constitution. Ironically, the same individuals accusing me of being too soft on Addis Ababa were secretly engaging with the federal government. The real issue was that I refused to take orders from them. I was open to alternative voices, willing to take responsibility, and push for a new political reality, but they clung to the old ways. Do you blame your downfall on the failure to fully implement the Pretoria Agreement? It’s more than that. Some within the TPLF leadership were never comfortable with signing the peace deal, which made it impossible to work together and move the implementation forward. A significant part of the senior leadership — those in charge during the war — felt Pretoria stripped the TPLF of its monopoly on power. Despite the devastation of the war — including the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, mostly women and children — some in the leadership were more concerned with maintaining their grip on power than securing Tigray’s future. The divide was between those who saw Pretoria as a necessary step to protect the people of Tigray and those who viewed it as a betrayal. The faction that ousted you claimed you prioritized the interests of the federal government over that of ordinary Tigrayans. How do you respond to that? It’s hypocrisy. TPLF leaders like party chairman Debretsion Gebremichael met the Prime Minister as often as I did — yet they accuse me of doing the federal government's bidding. That speaks volumes about their integrity. Is the regional leadership your rivals seek truly compatible with a strong federal government? I was part of the TPLF leadership when it was in the federal government from 1991 to 2019, though I joined late. TPLF’s belief in a strong federal government was always tied to its own dominance in Addis Ababa. As long as they controlled the center, they could dictate to the regions. But once they lost that grip, they found themselves facing the same struggles others had when TPLF was in power. Many in the leadership still operate under the illusion that they control Addis Ababa. They’re out of touch with reality. If things continue this way, even a secessionist movement shouldn’t be ruled out. Are you in favor of such an approach and what should be the priority now? If push comes to shove, secession is an option that can’t be dismissed. But I’m also a realist. Just because I want something for Tigray doesn’t mean it will happen. The return of internally displaced people. The faction that ousted me hasn’t even called for elections or addressed (how) displacement should be prioritized. Otherwise, their focus is purely on regaining power, not on the well-being of the people. You’ve accused your rivals of colluding with Eritrea. What evidence do you have? Eritrea is manipulating them. I was the one who initiated talks with Eritrea in the early days of the interim administration — not to appease them, but to protect Tigray from being used as a pawn in regional conflicts. Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki was alarmed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rhetoric about access to the Red Sea. He assumed Abiy wasn’t pushing for disarmament in Tigray because he wanted to use Tigrayan forces against Eritrea. I had to reassure Eritrea that we wouldn’t be anyone’s tool. But Eritrea also had its own agenda — using disgruntled TPLF elements to undermine the Ethiopian government. That’s unacceptable. How do you view the nature of Ethiopia’s relationship with Eritrea today? Even in 2018, when normalization was announced, I doubted it would last. Isaias saw Abiy as an ambitious but easily influenced leader he could manipulate, while Abiy believed close ties with Eritrea served his own goals. But given Isaias’s track record, it was only a matter of time before things unraveled. Some say Isaias has always sought to dismantle TPLF. Whether or not that’s true, there’s little love lost between Addis Ababa and Asmara these days. The Pretoria Agreement didn’t include Eritrea as a signatory, and its troops, which fought in support of Ethiopia’s federal government, never fully left Tigray. Did that doom the deal from the start? The Ethiopian government bears responsibility for that. Pretoria required non-Ethiopian forces to leave, but enforcing that was the federal government’s job, not mine. Eritrean presence was always the elephant in the room. How do you read Eritrea’s possible deal with Saudi Arabia for investments in the Port of Assab on the Red Sea, which Ethiopia is trying to gain access to? I’m not privy to the details, but it follows a familiar pattern. In this region, when facing a potential threat, leaders look to the other side of the Red Sea for support. Isaias is likely trying to pull the Saudis into his geopolitical game. Others in the Gulf might follow suit. Finally, what’s your biggest hope for Tigray’s future? The best-case scenario is for whoever leads next to work closely with the federal government, implement the Pretoria Agreement, return displaced people, and hold elections. That’s the only true path to a legitimate regional government. The TPLF’s old leadership — those responsible for the current crisis— need to accept that their time is over. The same thinking that led us here won’t solve Tigray’s problems. The future should be shaped by the younger generation — those who fought because they believed in Tigray’s survival. Young leaders in their 20s and 30s deserve the chance to chart a new course. It’s time to let go of the past. Tigray’s future shouldn’t be dictated by those who led it into disaster. bird story agency Jim Stenman is a Swedish-Ethiopian journalist. He has worked as a producer for CNN International in Europe and the Gulf, and reported for Reuters, the BBC, and Politico.

Nairobi, April 3, 2025   – bird story agency is pleased to announce the appointment of Hewete Haileselassie as its new Editor-in-Chief. Hewete takes on this leadership role at the specialist news agency following an accomplished career at the BBC World Service and, more recently, as an independent journalist and communications consultant. With 15 years at the BBC, Hewete reported and produced content from across the African continent. She was a regular producer on BBC Africa radio news programs, including  Network Africa, Focus on Africa,  and  BBC Africa Debate. A passionate advocate for media development, Hewete has played an active role in advancing newsroom diversity and gender equality. She served on the steering committee for BBC’s Global Women in News group and led the BBC World Service’s 50:50 Equality Project expansion. Additionally, she led entry level talent schemes such as the Future Voices traineeship in the UK. As Training and Talent manager for the BBC’s Africa region she has provided training to hundreds of journalists, many in the early stages of their careers, reinforcing her commitment to nurturing the next generation of media professionals. Founded in 2021 as a project of Africa No Filter, bird story agency aims to change the narrative on Africa by producing and syndicating rich, diverse content from across the continent. Initially focused on written content with multimedia elements—boasting over 2,000 stories and thousands of images in its archive—the agency has now pivoted toward video as its primary medium, complemented by photography, print, and audio. A public-facing picture service is also in development. “We’re thrilled to have a journalist of Hewete’s caliber join us at bird,” said Tom Kirkwood, Managing Editor of bird story agency. “As we transition from a disruptive, grant-funded startup to a serious player in the news agency space, our ambition is to become a fully-fledged news agency. Hewete brings the deep organizational and development expertise that a young media startup needs.” Beyond her editorial expertise, Hewete serves as a trustee for  Action Against Hunger UK  and  Hamlin Fistula UK , as well as  African Women in Media . She is also a senior fellow at the  John Schofield Trust , through which she mentors aspiring journalists. Hewete is a strong advocate for ensuring diverse voices in journalism and believes that African storytelling must be representative of its people. “It is long overdue that Africa tells its own, new story,” she asserts. Born and raised in London, Hewete has lived and worked in France, the U.S., Ethiopia, Kenya, and most recently, Saudi Arabia. She currently divides her time between London and Nairobi.

Nelly Gesare posing with a her eco-friendly tote bag from Green Thing Kenya. Photo courtesy: Green Thing Kenya Nelly Gesare built a multimillion-shilling enterprise from waste and in the process showed the potential of sustainability-driven businesses in Africa. Her venture, Greenthing Kenya, transforms discarded materials into valuable products. Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Entering one of Nelly Gesare's eco-conscious retail stores is like walking into a world in transformation. Glass bottles, once discarded as waste, are now sleek drinking tumblers and jars. Scraps of fabric, saved from landfills, have been stitched into desirable shopping bags and reusable dish sponges. Every shelf tells a story—not of waste but of renewal. This is now the world of the former journalist who has turned the challenge of waste into a thriving business. "I use Greenthing Kenya to tell the story of sustainability and the opportunities therein. My goal is to break down sustainability and show that it’s not just about the environment—it’s about a broader systemic shift," she explained in an interview. "We focus on eco-friendly home care, recycled materials, and sustainable textiles. Some of our work involves white-label manufacturing for other brands," she added. Greenthing Kenya is one of a number of upcycling brands that include Ecandi, EcoSafi, MokoMaya and others, that operate in Nairobi. Green Thing Kenya’s foaming hand soap and reusable 'unpaper' towels offer an eco-friendly alternative for everyday hygiene. Photo courtesy: Green Thing Kenya The rise of eco-brands in the region signals a growing consumer preference for sustainable products, according to Cynthia Atieno, a sustainability expert at the United Nations Environment Programme. “It is incredibly encouraging to see brands like Greenthing Kenya gaining market success. It reaffirms that sustainability is not just a trend but a thriving market with real demand and long-term potential,” she explained. The trend is also in expansion mode well beyond major cities like Nairobi. Dennis Ondari, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Kisii town, who has been running a glass bottle waste business since December 2024, cites the rising demand for eco-friendly products as "the biggest motivator" behind launching his venture there. “Before starting 'Chupa Zone', I worked for an ecoproduct business in Nairobi for three years. I witnessed the growth; that is why I decided to replicate the model here,” he explained in a phone interview. However, Gesare revealed that she did not set out to be a sustainability entrepreneur when she began her venture a decade ago. Refillable amber glass bottles paired with eco-friendly bamboo cleaning brushes: Green Thing Kenya. “As a journalist, my primary goal was always to make information accessible and digestible—for both the general public and younger audiences,” she explained. “Back in 2012, sustainability was still a very new concept. To raise awareness, I created a TV series and pitched it to media houses I had previously worked with. However, the challenge was that the content wasn’t being prioritized. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands.” The journey was hardly uneventful. Her first business attempt included manufacturing reusable metallic straws, a venture that hit a roadblock when local production costs soared to an unsustainable 1,500 shillings (about 12 US dollars) per straw. But instead of giving up, she found a new way forward. “A turning point came. I lost everything. With the little I had left, I launched a product—and it sold out in two days. That experience showed me the power of sustainability-driven business,” she explained. Years later, Gesare has created not just an eco-brand for selling a range of products, but also a glowing example for like-minded individuals commited to turning waste into businesses can turn to. Hers is a model that not only helps clean up the environment but also empowers local communities. The company works with women waste pickers, offering them fair wages while dignifying their role in the circular economy. By formalizing waste collection and providing financial stability to these workers, Gesare is proving that sustainability solutions must also be people-centered. “My strength has always been in identifying people — finding the right talent and creating opportunities for them,” Gesare shared. Today, Greenthing Kenya transforms discarded glass, fabric, and plastics into a diverse range of eco-friendly items, from biodegradable cleaning supplies to upcycled textiles like reusable dish sponges and makeup removers. The company also operates a solar-powered stitching station, ensuring that even the production process aligns with its sustainability ethos. “I have also recently set up a glass-blowing studio — the second of its kind in Kenya in 30 years, and the first ever owned by a Kenyan woman,” she added. Gesare continues to expand her business, defying the formidable hurdles that African entrepreneurs — especially women — encounter, from securing funding to navigating global economic uncertainties. “For many women in business, funding is often evaluated based on risk rather than potential. To this day, I have never received a grant. And yet, I’ve grown from a solo entrepreneur to employing more than ten full-time staff members,” she expressed. The funding challenges that face women-led startups in Africa are pehaps best captured in a 2023 report by startup funding tracking organization, Africa: The Big Deal. According to the tracker, in 2023, startups with solo or all-female founders secured just 2.3% of total African startup funding. This rises to 15% for teams with at least one female founder. This is despite Africa having the highest rate of female entrepreneurship globally, according to the African Development Bank. A 2023 study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that more than a quarter of all businesses were either started or run by women. By comparison, in Europe, entrepreneurial activity among women is just 5.7 percent, according to figures from the European Investment Bank. Entrepreneurs like Gesare highlight the resilience of African women in business. "I’m now diversifying my revenue streams through exports. As of this month, we’ve started exporting glass products,” she said. Research by Development Reimagined suggests that between 1994 and 2021, global trade in environmental goods grew significantly, yet the distribution remains highly imbalanced. With China dominating with 17.3 percent of global exports. Africa contributes only 1 percent, with South Africa accounting for over half of that share, suggesting that Africa has plenty of untapped opportunities in the trade of eco-products. Gesare’s product line serves as a testament to the viability of the industry domestically, with thousands of customers now choosing biodegradable over plastic, proving that business can be both profitable and responsible. Sustainable home essentials from Green Thing Kenya, featuring a zero-waste shampoo bar, bamboo dish brushes, and eco-friendly cleaning tools. Photo courtesy: Green Thing Kenya. Greenthing Kenya’s current revenues are from three product categories: eco-friendly hotel products, eco-friendly home care products, and non-toxic cleaning products. Some of its most popular products, such as glassware, received an overwhelmingly positive market response. In its first month of operation, the company generated over 200,000 shillings (more than 1,500 US dollars) in glass product sales. Today, it processes more than 4,000 bottles each month. The company is now expanding beyond Kenya. Greenthing recently entered the export market, shipping glassware and eco-friendly home care products to international buyers. To sustain this growth, Gesare is collaborating with universities on cutting-edge sustainability research and investing in improved packaging to meet global standards. For aspiring green entrepreneurs, her message is clear: “You have it in you to make it possible. When one thing doesn’t work, it’s often a redirection to explore what you can do with the resources available to you.” bird story agency