Regional Authorities Cite Deteriorating Conditions and Unfulfilled Commitments, Demanding International Accountability for Future Negotiations
By Staff Writer
(NAIROBI, Kenya) — The Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau released a statement regarding an unscheduled visit by former Nigerian President and African Union High Representative Olusegun Obasanjo to Mekelle. According to regional authorities, Tigray’s leadership interrupted scheduled commitments to meet with the envoy following his arrival.
The Debretsion-led Tigray administration holds no official recognition from the federal government and the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia. This political faction previously removed the Tadesse Worede-led Interim Regional Administration—which was established under the terms of the Pretoria Agreement—claiming that its mandate had expired while rejecting an extension granted by federal authorities.
During the meeting, regional officials expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of progress and monitoring following discussions held in June 2026. They emphasized that security and economic conditions on the ground have continued to deteriorate.
The Tigray regional leadership outlined five mandatory prerequisites that must be satisfied before engaging in formal dialogue with the federal government:
- Lifting Economic Blockades: Reopening trade routes and restoring unrestricted economic activity.
- Ending Military Tensions: Ceasing military sieges and de-escalating military standoffs across regional borders.
- Territorial Normalization: Restoring the political and administrative control of Tigray’s sovereign territory.
- Return of Displaced Persons: Guaranteeing the safe and dignified return of internally displaced populations to their communities.
- Legal Status of TPLF: Fully restoring the political and legal recognition of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Regional authorities indicated that negotiations over the past four years have yielded unfulfilled commitments. The statement affirmed that Tigray holds no political interest in repeating open-ended or hollow processes.
While Obasanjo pledged to present Tigray’s concerns to federal officials in Addis Ababa and return within two weeks, the regional government asserted that the ruling Prosperity Party has shown no genuine effort to address these core grievances.
According to a press release by the regional communication affairs bureau, the Tigray administration reiterated its willingness to enter a transparent, time-bound peace dialogue, provided it is backed by international partners capable of ensuring compliance and accountability.
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