 is expressing concern over the evolving situation and the fate of the "hard-won peace" in Ethiopia's Tigray region.){kind=link}
Borkena
Toronto – The African Union (AU) is expressing concern over the evolving situation and the fate of the “hard-won peace” in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
The AU is urging parties to the Pretoria Agreement – signed in South Africa in November 2022 under the organization’s auspices – to uphold it.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the AU stated that it “has been closely monitoring the evolving situation within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) with deep concern.” Reports of TPLF factions under Debretsion Gebremichael dismantling city administrations in Adigrat and Mekelle have made headlines in Ethiopian news outlets. Furthermore, the same group reportedly took control of the airport in Mekelle – apparently after the president of the Interim Administration left the city for Addis Ababa on Wednesday.
These developments have escalated tensions in the region. Without specifying details of the situation in Tigray, the AU emphasized that “adherence to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) is crucial for maintaining the hard-won peace and fostering an environment conducive to sustainable peacebuilding, reconciliation, and development.”
One of the core provisions of the Pretoria Agreement was the formation of an Interim Administration in the Tigray region, in addition to the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of TPLF combatants. Less than two years after the agreement, simmering tensions within the TPLF have surfaced, with divisions emerging over the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, according to sources.
Two factions have emerged: one under the leadership of Tigray Region Interim Administration President Getachew Reda, and the other under Debretsion Gebremichael, who previously served as president of the Tigray Region Interim Administration and chairman of the TPLF. The latter group organized what it called the 14th Party Congress in August 2024, which the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia dismissed as illegal due to “violations” of the Board’s rules and regulations.
Debretsion Gebremichael’s faction of the TPLF reportedly enjoys support from the majority of military leaders, while the Interim Administration claims to have the backing of the majority of the population. Getachew Reda asserts that the Interim Administration is supported by about 90 percent of the region’s population.
Reports from local sources suggest that the two groups may no longer be in a position to reconcile. The Interim Administration accuses the Debretsion faction of obstructing the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement and lacking interest in its success. The administration also alleges that the group is collaborating with Eritrea to stir instability in the region. On the other hand, the Debretsion faction accuses the Interim Administration of being a “collaborator” with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration.
The AU has called for “restraint” and “constructive dialogue” to resolve differences while urging the full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement. The organization reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the agreement.
In addition to the African Union, 24 embassies based in Addis Ababa and the European Union released a joint statement , on Thursday, declaring that “There must be no return to violence” and pledged their support for the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
__
Subscribe : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory Business Listing Toronto
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com