Tigray Leader Calls for Peace, Implementation of Pretoria Agreement Amidst Lingering Tensions

Hawzen, Tigray - Debretsion Gebremichael, chairperson of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), has reiterated his commitment to fostering peaceful relations with neighboring communities, including Eritrea, while simultaneously criticizing the Ethiopian federal government's commitment to the Pretoria Peace Agreement. Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the 37th anniversary of the region's martyrs on June 22, 2025, in Hawzen town, Debretsion emphasized the Tigrayan people's desire for peace and development, but also voiced concerns about the agreement's stalled implementation and alleged obstruction by the federal government.

Renewed Calls for Regional Harmony

Debretsion highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people relations between Tigray and Eritrea, referencing recent reports of resumed cross-border contact in areas like Zalambessa. He also expressed a desire to establish similar relationships with other neighboring communities, including the Amhara and Afar regions, as well as Sudan. "The people of Tigray have nothing that conflicts with other peoples," he stated, emphasizing their shared aspiration for peace, development, and an end to poverty.

Pretoria Agreement Concerns

Despite the calls for peace, Debretsion was critical of the Ethiopian federal government's adherence to the Pretoria Peace Agreement, which officially ended the two-year war in Tigray. He claimed that key aspects of the agreement, such as the return of displaced people and the resolution of territorial disputes, remain unresolved. "Not only have many issues of the Pretoria Peace Agreement not been implemented, but activities that could completely collapse the agreement are getting worse from time to time," he warned.

He further accused the "Prosperity-led government" and a "betrayal group" within the TPLF of actively obstructing the agreement's implementation, alleging attempts to divide the TPLF and incite conflict within the Tigrayan community. He also vowed to continue working to ensure that the events during the conflict are recognized internationally as genocide and that those responsible for atrocities, including the killing of General Se'are Mekonnen, are held accountable.

International Community Urged to Intervene

Debretsion appealed to the international community, including the European Union, the African Union, IGAD, and the United States, to play a more active role in ensuring the full implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement. This call for international intervention underscores the TPLF's belief that external pressure is necessary to hold the Ethiopian government accountable and ensure lasting peace in the region.

Tigray's Priority is Peace, Says Interim Leader

Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration, echoed Debretsion's sentiments, emphasizing that "Our primary choice is peace." He added that any deviation from this path would be a result of external forces. He stressed the need to "apply peaceful, diplomatic, and legal pressure to ensure the Pretoria Peace Agreement is implemented without delay."

Historical Context and Analysis

The conflict in Tigray, which began in November 2020, stemmed from long-standing tensions between the TPLF, which had previously dominated Ethiopian politics for decades, and the federal government under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The war resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis and accusations of war crimes and human rights abuses against all parties involved, including Eritrean forces who intervened in support of the Ethiopian government.

The Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022, was intended to bring an end to the conflict and establish a framework for lasting peace. However, the implementation of the agreement has been slow and contentious, with both sides accusing the other of failing to uphold their commitments. According to Dr. Samuel Tefera, a political analyst specializing in the Horn of Africa, "The slow pace of implementation reflects deep-seated mistrust and competing interests between the TPLF and the federal government. While both sides publicly express a commitment to peace, significant obstacles remain in addressing issues such as territorial disputes, the disarmament of TPLF forces, and the full restoration of Tigray's regional autonomy."

The resumption of cross-border contact between Ethiopians and Eritreans offers a glimmer of hope for regional stability, but the persistent political tensions and the unfulfilled promises of the Pretoria Agreement continue to pose a significant threat to lasting peace in Tigray and the wider Horn of Africa region. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the parties can overcome their differences and build a future based on mutual trust and cooperation.