Ethiopia: Pretoria agreement still 'hanging', TPLF says

Redwan Hussein (2nd L), Representative of the Ethiopian government, and Getachew Reda (2nd R), Representative of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), sign a “cessation of hostilities” agreement between the two parties after African Union-led negotiations, Pretoria, South Africa, November 2, 2022. © 2022 PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images

ADDIS ABABA - While marking the second anniversary of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) commonly known as the Pretoria Agreement, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) says many things remain unfilled despite the common stand to have them disposed of by today.

A statement from the TPLF which is also battling internal conflicts, stated that while the agreement has made remarkable successes, many cardinal issues remain unresolved contrary to the timelines that were issued in Pretoria and later Nairobi.

According to the party which was at one point dominant in Ethiopian politics, roughly 48% of Tigray’s territory “remains under occupation.”The TPLF reports that internally displaced persons continue to face severe challenges, with many “living in worn-out tents” under difficult conditions.

In southern Tigray and Tselemti, the group says, residents still endure “continuous harassment, sexual violence, livestock raids, imprisonment,” and are being “forced to alter their identities as part of a calculated scheme.”

Concerns were also raised over the condition of Tigrayan refugees in Sudan, who, according to the TPLF, are suffering “dire humanitarian conditions.”

TPLF attributes the delay of the implementation to reluctance by authorities in Addis Ababa, internal divisions, especially within the party, and lack of pressure from the international partners.

Nonetheless, the organization affirmed, “The Pretoria Agreement remains the fundamental framework for peace,” while calling for stronger international pressure to ensure complete implementation.

The United Nations, the US, and the African Union were integral in pushing for the Cessation of Hostilities in the country. The TPLF is itself embroiled in internal wrangles, further delaying the implementation of some critical clauses in the agreement.

The TPLF signaled its commitment to work with stakeholders to implement the agreement’s provisions, stating it will “take every practical step to implement the agreement as promptly as possible.”

Interim leader Getachew Reda and former regional leader Debretsion Gebremichael are tussling for control of the outfit.

In response, the interim administration, led by Getachew, has accused Debretsion’s group of attempting to “destabilize” the region through actions it described as a “coup d’état.” The administration warned it would pursue legal action against Debretsion’s faction for allegedly sowing “chaos and anarchy” in Tigray, Addis Standard reports.

GAROWE ONLINE