TPLF: We are not merging with Prosperity Party

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The Tigray People's Liberation Army (TPLF) has dismissed merger claims with the Prosperity Party as 'completely untrue' following rumours over the possible union with the ruling party which has been struggling to control parts of the country.

For two years, TPLF strongly opposed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration, waging a deadly war in the process against the Ethiopian National Defense Forces. The fight left thousands of people dead and millions displaced.

Although the two parties have been in talks in recent weeks, TPLF insists the talks are not about the merger, rather, they are geared towards improving stability and security within the Horn of Africa nation.

TPLF's statement came in the wake of local media reports that the TPLF was negotiating with Prosperity Party for a potential merger. The two parties had been in talks over the implementation of the Nairobi and Pretoria peace accords.

In response, the party said that the talks that were held with the ruling party officials were "aimed at expanding and deepening the relative peace that has emerged since the Pretoria agreement."

The TPLF and Prosperity Party "have fundamental differences" in their ideologies and goals, TPLF said, adding that despite the differences, there are many issues that the two parties need to discuss. "The claim that talks have been started to join the PP is completely untrue."

It is recalled that on 13 April, senior party representatives from PP and TPLF sides met in Addis Abeba as part of continuing the party-to-party dialogue that kicked off between the two parties on 02 April in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray region, Addis Standard reports.

During the meeting in Addis Ababa, the two sides "have agreed on the principles of party-to-party discussion and have started identifying the agenda for the next discussion," according to state media. Ethiopia is still undergoing political and socioeconomic transformation changes.

GAROWE ONLINE