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.

The sources added that although Tadesse still has security protection and access to his vehicle, the number of guards assigned to him has gradually been reduced. They said there have also been rumors that his vehicle could be taken away.

The restrictions on his movement became more apparent on July 15, when U.S. Ambassador Ervin Massinga traveled from Addis Ababa to Mekele for a scheduled meeting with Tadesse. According to sources, the meeting was blocked after security officials instructed his guards not to allow him to leave his residence.

A relative of Tadesse told BBC Tigrinya that this was not the first attempt by Ambassador Massinga to meet the former regional leader. Previous efforts had also failed, the relative said. “After the appointment was arranged, there was hope that they would be able to meet. The meeting was scheduled for 11 a.m. Tadesse knew about the appointment, and he also knew that the ambassador had arrived in Mekele. But then, around 10 a.m., a phone call was made to the head of his security detail, and an order was given preventing him from leaving his home,” a relative told BBC Tigrinya. The relative added that the security detail was instructed that any attempt to defy the order could lead to problems and intervention by security forces.

The relative said Tadesse was unhappy with the order and initially considered leaving his residence by driving himself despite the restrictions. However, after advice from relatives and friends, he decided not to take that step.

The relative said that Tadesse later had a phone conversation with Ambassador Massinga that lasted about 20 minutes, according to BBC Tigrinya.