The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has sounded the alarm, warning that its ban from political activity poses a serious threat to the 2022 peace deal that ended two years of brutal conflict in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The party, which governs Tigray and once dominated the country’s politics, was deregistered by the National Election Board of Ethiopia for failing to hold a general assembly.
This move has sparked fears of renewed violence, particularly with nationwide elections looming.
TPLF’s deputy chairman, Ammanuel Assefa, expressed concerns that the ban could damage the Pretoria peace agreement, which stipulated mutual recognition of legitimacy and dialogue to resolve issues. “This isn’t just about TPLF, but also about undermining what people have sacrificed,” Assefa added. Delays in implementing the agreement, including the return of displaced persons, have further fueled tensions.
The international community, including the US, UK, and European Union, has cautioned against a return to violence.
The TPLF has called on the African Union to pressure the federal government to suspend the ban, emphasizing that it denies the party a right reclaimed through the Pretoria Agreement.
With the peace process hanging in the balance, the situation remains precarious, and the need for diplomatic intervention is increasingly urgent.
