The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), led by Debretsion Gebremichael, has strongly opposed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s proposal for Tigray’s leadership, calling it a violation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA).
The dispute emerged after Abiy invited the people of Tigray to nominate a leader they trust to serve as the region’s interim president for the next year. The TPLF, however, condemned this move as a unilateral decision that disregards the terms of the CoHA, which mandates a negotiated process between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF to establish the Interim Government of Tigray.
TPLF Alleges Systematic Violations of Peace Accord
In a statement released Wednesday, the TPLF accused the Ethiopian government of persistently undermining the CoHA by imposing new terms, mobilizing proxy forces against Tigray, and blocking essential humanitarian supplies such as fuel. The group claims these actions threaten the already fragile peace and stability in the region.
“The Ethiopian government has long engaged in provocative, hostile, and destabilizing activities that endanger the survival of Tigray’s people,” the statement read. “Rather than supporting post-war recovery, it is obstructing humanitarian aid and manipulating legal frameworks to justify its control over Tigray.”
Leadership Dispute Over Tigray’s Interim Administration
The TPLF insists that the appointment of Tigray’s interim president must be the outcome of mutual dialogue, not a directive from Addis Ababa. According to the statement, following discussions between the TPLF and Ethiopian authorities, General Tadesse Werede was nominated to replace the previous interim president. However, the Ethiopian government later bypassed this agreement by publicly calling for new nominations, a move the TPLF labeled as unconstitutional and a breach of the CoHA.
Humanitarian and Political Fallout
Beyond the leadership row, the TPLF accused the Ethiopian government of failing to address critical post-war issues, including the return of displaced Tigrayans, reconstruction efforts, and justice for war crimes. The group also expressed concern over alleged fabricated accusations against members of the Tigray Armed Forces, calling it an attempt to dismantle the region’s military presence.
Despite the growing tensions, the TPLF reaffirmed its commitment to peace and called on the Ethiopian government to adhere to the CoHA rather than take actions that could further destabilize the region.
“The people of Tigray deserve justice, accountability, and the right to govern themselves without external interference,” the statement concluded.
With the political deadlock deepening, it remains uncertain whether Ethiopia’s federal government and the TPLF can reach a resolution or if this latest dispute will reignite tensions in the war-scarred region.
