24 Countries Call for Upholding Pretoria Agreement Amid Rising Tensions 

Twenty-four embassies based in Addis Ababa issue joint statement urging protection for Pretoria Agreement in the Tigray region of Ethiopia

Borkena

Toronto – “There must be no return to violence,” declared a joint statement from twenty-four embassies based in Addis Ababa and the European Union delegation, responding to the escalating tensions in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

The embassies stated they are “monitoring ongoing developments and the escalating tensions in northern Ethiopia.” They called for de-escalation and dialogue, pledging support for the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement.

“We re-emphasize our full support for the cessation of hostilities agreement of November 2022, which silenced the guns. There must be no return to violence. We strongly urge all parties to protect the agreement by de-escalating and engaging in urgent dialogue. We stand ready to support you,” the joint statement added.

The statement was endorsed by the USA, UK, New Zealand, Japan, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, The Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, and the European Union.

The appeal came a day after Getachew Reda, president of the Interim Administration in Tigray, reportedly fled Mekelle amid rising tensions.

Military leaders in the region, aligned with the Debretsion faction (read more about them here), seized control of the airport following his departure to Addis Ababa. In the capital, Getachew reportedly briefed members of the diplomatic community on the escalating situation, alleging foreign intervention in the region— apparently primarily from Eritrea and Egypt.

The pro-Debretsion military leaders have dismantled the city administration in Adigrat and are said to be extending their control over additional districts, particularly in the northern and western parts of Tigray. They rounded those who resisted their moves and opened fire, wounding many in Adi Gudom and parts of Mekelle, according to a statement from Getachew Reda. 

While the Interim Administration advocates for the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, Debretsion and his military backers appear disinterested in the deal. Debretsion is believed to view the agreement as a move to weaken the TPLF and disarm Tigray, rather than a pathway to lasting peace.

The Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022, included core provisions such as the cessation of hostilities, the establishment of a transitional government, and the demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration of TPLF combatants. However, these provisions have yet to be fully implemented, fueling tensions between the factions.

On Wednesday, three major Tigray opposition parties condemned what they described as a “coup” against the Getachew Reda-led interim administration. They called for immediate international intervention to prevent the tensions from escalating into a full-blown conflict that could destabilize the entire region.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggest that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is meeting with Tadesse Worede, a military general formerly associated with the Interim Administration, along with several other generals.

Background:

Tensions in Tigray have intensified following a major split within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a key party to the Pretoria Agreement that ended the devastating two-year war against Abiy Ahmed’s government. The conflict also involved Eritrea and regional forces from Afar and Amhara.

The TPLF is now divided into two factions: one led by Getachew Reda and the other by Debretsion Gebremichael. While the majority of military leaders have thrown their support behind Debretsion, the Interim Administration under Getachew—often perceived as Abiy Ahmed’s ally—enjoys backing from grassroots supporters and even some opposition parties.

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