Coalition Attempts To Break Ice In Widening TPLF Leadership Rift

A group composed of the representatives of seven organizations based in Tigray are attempting to bridge divisions among the region’s squabbling political leadership through discussions and negotiation.

Sources disclosed the group includes representatives from institutions such as Tigray Public Diplomacy, Gerealta Institute for Policy Studies and Training, Tigray Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, the Alliance of Civil Society Organizations in Tigray, as well as religious leaders.

Wondimu Asaminew (Amb.), a member of the team that reached the ceasefire agreement in Pretoria in late 2022, said Mitiku Haile, founding president of Mekelle University; to reconcile the region’s political leaders.

Wondimu told The Reporter that no one has committed to discussions yet.

“We haven’t started talking to both of them yet. We’re moving ahead with the idea of negotiations. Efforts have been made to solve the problem before, but they didn’t have the nature of negotiations. We’ve been trying to advise them separately until now. Now, we’re considering how we can arrange discussions,” he said.

– Advertisement –

Wondimu says he wants to organize a public assembly in Tigray.

The Reporter’s sources indicated the assembly was scheduled to take place this Saturday, but the escalating political disputes in the region have led to a postponement.

This is not the first time the coalition has broached the subject of division within the TPLF leadership. In early September, the seven-member group released a statement describing its take on the split.

The statement warned that the political differences between TPLF leaders, which have grown more intense and public over the past year, are quickly becoming a threat to public peace and security.

It also stated that efforts at reconciliation from military leaders, religious institutions, civic and business institutions had all failed.

“During this period, our leadership has shifted from the conflict that was confined to the hands of the organization to a struggle for governmental power. The peace and security of the people of Tigray is in grave danger. It is clear that if the spirit and action of destruction that is being seen at this time does not stop, it may lead to irreversible damage. The tension between the political leadership must be overturned so that the government system does not collapse,” reads the statement.

It called on political leaders to prioritize the interests of Tigray and set their differences aside. The statement also placed the onus to cool tensions on leaders of the Tigray Defense Force (TDF).

Sources disclosed the negotiating team was formed immediately following the TPLF general assembly held in September. The coalition was formed following the beginning of the rift.