‘Defunct’ TPLF Accuses Federal Government Of Truce Breach

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has accused the federal government of actively undermining the Pretoria Agreement in an aide-mémoire two months after electoral officials rescind the party’s federal recognition.

In a July 9 aide-mémoire, the TPLF expressed deep concern over what it describes as a “dangerous shift” by the federal government, citing a pattern of “fabricated narratives and threats” that its officials claim  jeopardize the fragile peace in the country.

“The CoHA mandates the initiation of political dialogue to resolve underlying disputes,” reads the document, which accuses the government of belligerence.

The TPLF also addresses accusations of TPLF-Eritrean collaboration, stating it has consistently upheld peaceful engagement with neighbouring regions and citing recent developments on the border.

“Federal authorities have responded to these community-led efforts with misinformation and politically charged narratives. This culminated accusations of alleging secret meetings, military coordination, and collaboration between the TPLF and Eritrea is baseless,” reads the statement.

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The party also made an appeal for the safe return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“The decision of the African Union High-Level Panel—which called on the Federal Government to dismantle the unlawful Amhara Zonal Administration, disarm Amhara militias, facilitate the departure of new settlers, and provide logistical support for the secure return of IDPs—has been entirely disregarded,” reads the document.

The party’s relations with the federal government have deteriorated sharply over the past year, with the friction culminating in a decision from the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) to strip TPLF of its status as a political party and effectively exclude it from formal political participation in May.

TPLF had been proscribed by the federal government and labeled a terrorist organization by Parliament following the outbreak of war in 2020.

The tensions and claims of deepening ties with Eritrea have led to fears about the prospect of a return to war in Tigray.

During a parliamentary appearance last week, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) accused forces in Tigray of preparing for “renewed conflict”. He told MPs the alleged machinations of the region’s political and military leaders was based on a misplaced reliance on external support—a statement that some analysts interpret to mean Eritrea.

“The world will not listen to you, as they are busy with wars in other parts of the world. No country will stand with you,” he said. “The countries you think would offer support cannot even stand for themselves.”

The PM called on religious leaders, community elders, intellectuals, investors, and diplomats to act immediately to avert a potential descent into war.

Amidst the tensions, Salsay Weyane Tigray (SaWET), an opposition party in Tigray, expressed its concern that the  people of Tigray are again at risk of being caught in the crossfire.

In a statement issued this week, the party put the blame squarely on the non-implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

“A renewed conflict in the region poses a serious threat to a population already grappling with significant security and economic challenges stemming from the previous Genocidal war. Instead of addressing the people’s pleas, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia has resorted to threats of an ‘even more catastrophic’ war, coupled with bellicose overtures,” reads the statement.