Incumbent Rebukes ‘Historical Enemies, Treasonous Forces’ In Fiery Post-Congress Statement

The incumbent Prosperity Party issued strong statements on Friday asserting its position in the quest for access to the Red Sea and pledging to strengthen security responses to what party officials describe as “treasonous forces.”

“We have successfully managed to make Ethiopia’s natural and historical right to sea access a global agenda. We have gone further than the first chapter in our bid to restore Ethiopia’s geostrategic interests on the Red Sea,” reads a statement issued after a three-day party congress concluded on Friday.

The statement iterated that Ethiopia has “repositioned itself in the regional geopolitical sphere by pursuing proper and legal principles regarding GERD” and asserted the incumbent has successfully kept political-economic reforms on track by “minimizing internal exposure and eradicating treasonous forces.”

The statement made what appear to be several thinly veiled accusations aimed at Eritrea and Egypt, alleging that Asmara and Cairo “continue to attempt to divide the government and people.”

“These efforts include inciting regional conflicts and using digital media to discredit the government,” reads the statement.

The party claims that these tactics have failed.

“Under the leadership and coordination of our historical enemies and with the help of some traitorous extremists, the desire for war by our enemies has not ceased,” reads the statement. “However, they were not able to succeed in either campaign, as their chance to weaken Ethiopia is shrinking.”

PP council members outlined three key achievements in terms of political and economic reforms, progress on the Abbay (Nile) issue, and advancing Ethiopia’s claim for sea access as an international agenda.

“Our political, social, and economic transformations are successfully moving forward. Instead of being a source of internal vulnerability, they have become a source of national strength,” reads the statement.

It also identified six strategies allegedly used by adversaries to destabilize the country, including exploiting governance gaps, spreading discontent, and economic sabotage.

“The party is committed to pursuing peaceful conflict resolution, enforcing the law against armed groups, addressing public concerns on governance, countering misinformation, fighting corruption, advancing development projects, and securing national interests diplomatically,” reads the council’s statement.

The Council concluded by stating that Ethiopia is making progress, but faces opposition from “historical enemies and internal traitors.”

Observers note the allusions to treasonous forces are likely aimed at Fano militia and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLF-Shene).

“We [the Council] pledge to resist challenges, strive for prosperity, and eliminate obstacles to national development,” reads the statement.

Meanwhile, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD), whose party’s legal license was revoked by the National Election Board months ago, has announced that his party has finalized preparations to undertake reforms.

In a media briefing on August 8, 2025, the Chairman stated that an office has been established and a committee formed to help implement the reform.

Debretsion also claimed that the federal government is not properly implementing the Pretoria agreement, leading to the displacement, migration, and deaths of many Tigrayans.

“There are organized forces working to disrupt peace in the region, and we are working with the interim administration to bring order to the situation,” he said.

Debretsion added that there is a desire to peacefully resolve the current problems in the region, but emphasized that the implementation of the agreement is “not negotiable”.

He also stated that work to return displaced citizens and to remove “invaders and settlers” from Tigrayan territory would be done in collaboration with the federal government.

“We were told to prepare a list of returnees, but due to a lack of preparation by the federal government, they have not yet returned,” he said, accusing the federal government of violating the Pretoria peace agreement.

“The federal government is unwilling to return the invaded Tigrayan territories,” he said.

The Chairman stated relations between Eritrea and Tigray will continue.

“The people-to-people relationship we started with Eritrea will not stop; it will continue,” he said, adding that “from now on, it is unthinkable for Tigray to be surrounded or closed off 360 degrees by anyone, in any way.”