NEBE Bans TPLF from Conducting all Political Activities

National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has imposed a ban on political activities of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

TPLF, Tigray’s largest political party, was founded in February 1975. It launched armed struggle against Dergs. After the removal of Mengistue Hailemariam, TPLF formed Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) which ruled Ethiopia for over two decades.

At the start of 2021, during Tigray war, TPLF was declared a terrorist entity by the Ethiopian parliament. In 2023, after ceasefire in Tigray, the parliament removed label of terrorism from TPLF but the party was not restored as a political party.

Last year, NEBE registered TPLF as a new political party. It asked TPLF to hold a party congress, make bylaws, elect party leaders and committees in 6 months. TPLF refused to accept new registration. It demanded restoration of its status but NEBE refused.

After rejecting NEBE’s decision, TPLF Debretsion Gebremichael group held a party congress. It expelled Getachew Reda group from the party. The party is now split in two factions: One led by chairman Debretsion Gebremichael and the other by Getachew Reda, Tigray Interim President. The congress held by TPLF Debretsion group was rejected NEBE and rival TPLF Getachew Reda group.

On the 10th February 2025, after the expiry of 6-month deadline, NEBE met on Tuesday February 11. It banned TPLF for 3 months from conducting any political activities. NEBE, in a statement, asked TPLF to comply with the instruction of the election board within the next 3 months. It warned that further action including cancellation of registration could be taken by the NEBE after 3 months.

Tigray is witnessing unprecedented political tensions these days. TPLF Debretsion Gebremichael group, TPLF Getachew Reda group and Tigray military are involved in a power struggle which is adding to the suffering of Tigray people.

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