The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has voiced strong concerns over what it describes as “repeated violations” of the Pretoria Peace Agreement by Ethiopia’s federal government, warning that unilateral decisions are threatening to derail the fragile peace process in the war-torn region.
In a statement issued following a five-day Central Committee meeting that concluded on April 12, 2025, the TPLF accused the federal government of bypassing agreed mechanisms by imposing new proclamations, regulations, and directives on the Tigrayan people without consultation. The party warned that such actions signal a breakdown in trust and threaten the only formal link between the two sides—the Pretoria Agreement.
“The federal government’s unilateral measures violate the spirit and the letter of the Pretoria deal,” the TPLF stated
calling for a return to dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding. The party reaffirmed its commitment to peace but stressed that full implementation of the agreement must involve “shared responsibility and political will.”
These tensions unfold as the Tigray region experiences a major political shift. On April 8, Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede was appointed President of the Tigray Interim Administration, replacing Getachew Reda. The transition follows prolonged internal tensions between the TPLF and the interim leadership, exacerbated by differing approaches to governance and the pace of post-conflict reconstruction.
TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) has pledged to work with the new leadership while maintaining the party’s institutional autonomy.
“We are ready to cooperate in advancing the interim administration’s mandate, but our independence as a political party must be preserved,” he said
The TPLF further warned that the suffering endured during the two-year conflict has persisted in various forms, including mass displacement, lack of aid, and occupation of parts of Tigray by armed actors. It alleged that both internal and external actors are working to fracture the unity of the Tigrayan people, though such efforts are reportedly losing traction.
On April 14, Debretsion met with Major General Samad Alade, the newly appointed head of the African Union’s Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (AU MVCM). During the meeting in Mekelle, Debretsion urged the AU panel to urgently assess what he described as “a concerning situation” on the ground.
He raised several key issues: the continued presence of non-ENDF armed groups in Tigray, the occupation of sovereign Tigrayan territories, the delayed return of displaced residents, and the stalled political dialogue despite the TPLF’s signatory status under the peace accord. Debretsion also criticized the lack of legal reinstatement of the TPLF, arguing that it hampers efforts to fully participate in national and regional governance.
“The people of Tigray are still suffering,” Debretsion said, highlighting the dire situation of displaced populations cut off from humanitarian aid. He called for their return under safe and dignified conditions, as guaranteed by the Pretoria Agreement.
Major General Samad assured the TPLF that the AU mission would carry out its responsibilities in line with its mandate and pledged open collaboration with all stakeholders. His appointment comes at a critical moment, as concerns mount over the fragile peace and unresolved post-war challenges in northern Ethiopia.
While the TPLF reaffirmed its historical responsibility to help rebuild Tigray and support the interim administration’s mandate, it also emphasized the need for caution amid shifting regional dynamics that could lead to new conflicts.
As Ethiopia enters a crucial phase in its post-war transition, the fate of the Pretoria Agreement may hinge on whether all sides can rebuild trust and prioritize the long-term stability and unity of the nation.