TPLF accuses Ethiopia’s federal government of undermining the 2022 Pretoria Peace Deal, warning of renewed instability in Tigray.
🕊️ TPLF Accuses Addis Ababa of Violating Peace Agreement
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has accused Ethiopia’s federal government of breaching the Pretoria Peace Agreement—the deal that ended two years of civil war in northern Ethiopia.
In a statement released on April 12, after a five-day Central Committee meeting, the TPLF claimed that the federal government is issuing directives and proclamations affecting Tigray without consulting the regional leadership. The group warned that such unilateral moves undermine trust and risk collapsing the fragile peace.
“The only link that currently exists between us and the federal government is the Pretoria Agreement. Its implementation requires close cooperation and mutual trust,” the statement read.
💥 Tigray’s War: Human Toll and Economic Collapse
The conflict, which began in November 2020, left between 300,000 and 600,000 people dead, according to researchers. More than 2.5 million people were displaced. The United Nations documented widespread human rights violations, including mass killings, sexual violence, and destruction of essential infrastructure.
Tigray’s economy, once one of Ethiopia’s strongest, collapsed. Over 70% of schools and health facilities were destroyed. Agriculture—the region’s economic backbone—was severely disrupted. Today, 5.4 million Tigrayans still rely on food aid, and basic services like electricity and telecommunications remain patchy in many areas.
Nationwide, Ethiopia’s economic recovery has been slow. According to the World Bank, GDP growth fell to 5.3% in 2023, down from pre-war highs of 8–10%. Inflation soared above 30%, and foreign investment declined sharply.
“While the Pretoria Agreement achieved the immediate goal of stopping the fighting, its long-term success hinges on inclusive governance and power-sharing,” said Meron Elias, Horn of Africa analyst at the International Crisis Group.
“When one side feels excluded, the entire peace framework is put at risk.”
⚖️ Leadership Shake-Up Fuels Tensions
The TPLF’s accusations follow changes in the Tigray Interim Administration. On April 8, Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede was appointed interim regional president, replacing Getachew Reda. The reshuffle follows months of tension between the interim leadership and the TPLF.
Party chairman Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) said the TPLF would support the new administration but emphasized that it must remain institutionally independent. He pledged to focus on key issues such as justice, regional autonomy, and post-war reconstruction.
The Central Committee also warned that the suffering from the war is ongoing, saying “it continues in different ways.” It accused both internal and foreign actors of trying to divide Tigray—efforts the group claims are failing.
🌍 Security Concerns and Regional Risks
The TPLF further warned that instability in the Horn of Africa—including border disputes, resource competition, and unrest in the Amhara and Afar regions—could reignite conflict.
“There is now an increasing opportunity to liberate our people under occupation,” the statement read. The party also vowed to help resettle displaced communities and restore public services.
So far, the federal government has not responded publicly. But analysts caution that unless both sides recommit to the spirit and letter of the Pretoria Agreement, Ethiopia’s hard-won peace may not hold.
For more on the region, visit our Tigray Conflict Hub or explore Ethiopia’s Peace Process Timeline.
