Tigray People’s Liberation Front Criticizes Pretoria Deal

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), on Thursday, criticized the Pretoria Peace Deal. The Peace Deal was signed in November 2022 to end the two-year long deadly war in northern Ethiopia.

Yesterday, TPLF released a statement in connection with Martyrs Day. Tigray observes June 22nd as Martyrs Day. The day commemorates the sacrifices of those TPLF members who laid down their lives in the fight against Ethiopian government of Megistu Haile Mariam. In 1991, Tigray People’s Liberation Front TPLF and Eritrean People’s Liberation Front EPLF, after years of armed struggle, took over Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. From 1991 till 2018, TPLF remained main power player in Ethiopia until it was ousted from Addis Ababa after massive street protests.

TPLF paid tribute to martyrs in yesterday’s statement. It briefly mentioned Pretoria Deal to which TPLF is a signatory. It said that Pretoria could not alleviate Tigrayans’ suffering.

Pretoria Deal silenced guns in northern Ethiopia. But some key disputes between Tigray and Amhara regions, Tigray and Eritrea are still pending. Hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans are living at temporary camps in Tigray. Their return could not start while winter is approaching.

According to the Pretoria Deal, all Tigray fighters must be demobilized, disarmed and reintegrated into society. Tigray still has a standing army of around 200,000. DDR has been facing financial and other challenges.

It seems that Tigray and Amhara regions interpret Pretoria Deal differently. Both regions have their claims to disputed zones including Raya, Welkait etc.

Tigray accuses Eritrea of being in occupation of Tigray territories. Eritrea denies saying that its forces are deployed in accordance with EEBC decision of 2002.

Tigray is of the view that Pretoria Deal favors its position about border dispute with Amhara region and Eritrea. But Amhara region and Eritrea reject this view of TPLF and Tigray interim government.

Read more..

Mahlet Teklai Missing for 3 Months in Tigray Found Dead

Thousands of IDPs Protest in Tigray