Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia –The Ethiopian National Election Board (NEBE) has officially cancelled the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from its list of legally recognized political parties, citing repeated noncompliance with electoral laws and directives.
In a statement issued on May 13, 2025, the NEBE declared that the TPLF’s status as a registered party had been revoked under Proclamation 1332/2016 and Directive No. 25/2016, following a protracted dispute over the party’s legal standing.
The controversy dates back to the aftermath of the armed conflict in northern Ethiopia, during which the TPLF was initially delisted by NEBE under Proclamation 1162/2011, due to what the Board described as the party’s involvement in acts of violence.
After the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement in November 2022, which aimed to end hostilities between the federal government and the TPLF, the party sought to regain its legal recognition.
Citing the peace accord, the TPLF argued that its reinstatement was a political necessity for the peace process to succeed. In response, NEBE acknowledged receiving a formal request but rejected it on May 12, 2023, stating there was “no legal provision under existing proclamations to reinstate a political party once delisted under Proclamation 1162/2011.”
In a bid to navigate the legal framework, the TPLF reapplied for party status under the amended Proclamation 1332/2016, invoking its clause for “special circumstances.” With backing from the Ministry of Justice, which issued a supporting letter dated June 24, 2024, the NEBE reinstated the TPLF on August 9, 2024.
However, NEBE claims the TPLF “refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the legal recognition it was granted” and allegedly failed to adhere to the legal and administrative requirements that came with that recognition. The Board noted that “repeated warnings were ignored,” prompting it to suspend the party for three months, giving it a final opportunity to comply.
The NEBE now asserts that the TPLF made no effort to meet its obligations during the suspension period and showed “continued disregard for the legal framework.”
“Due to the party’s persistent failure to fulfill the terms of its recognition, we have decided to remove the TPLF from the list of political parties effective May 13, 2025,” the Board stated.
The move is expected to trigger further political debate, particularly as the TPLF remains a key stakeholder in the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, which calls for the reintegration of Tigray’s leadership into national political processes. TPLF officials have previously accused the NEBE of acting under political pressure and undermining the peace agreement.
There has been no official response yet from TPLF leaders following the Board’s latest decision.
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The government of Abiy Ahmed does not have any juridiction over tigray and its decision not to acknowledge the TPLF is immaterial. He is provoking Tigray and his provocation will have consequences to his regime. Tigray will be compelled to use its military might to effect regime change in Ethiopia. The Biden administration and its envoy Mike Hammer who save Abiy Ahmed following the 2022 Tigray offensive are not in office. Tigray will finish the job this time and depose Abiy Ahmed. His Oromo dominated army despite its numerical superiority is not an effective fighting force to defend his rule.
O’ Boy! Hell is gonna get loose now!!! It is going to take less than 2 hours for Debre and his ‘Gold Race’ to wipe out everyone that stands in their ways and reach Addis/Finfinne. I’ve been warning you guys since 2022 and you refused to listen, especially you Amharas and Oromos. You’re done now and Debre and his ‘Gold Race’ are gonna be your moms and dads for the next thousand years. Slackers!!!
Excuse me for now. I’m enjoying the lasagna reinvented in Piccolo Roma that my longtime homeboy Yemane sent me today. It tasted so goooooooood!!!!!