Tigray Party's Ban Sparks Security Concerns Over Ethiopia's Peace Deal

The Tigray People's Liberation Front cautions that the recent revocation of its legal status threatens the fragile peace established in Ethiopia following a civil war.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has raised alarms over the Ethiopian electoral board's decision to ban it from political activities, a move they claim jeopardizes the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement aimed at mitigating years of conflict in the Tigray region. The TPLF, which has governed Tigray and was a dominant force in Ethiopian politics until 2018, reacted by calling for intervention from the African Union to mediate between them and the federal government. The ruling was based on the TPLF's failure to convene a general assembly, as required, amidst ongoing internal strife that has seen factions emerge within the party.

The ban exacerbates existing tensions, with the TPLF expressing fears that it could lead to a resurgence of violence. In a letter addressed to the African Union, the party emphasized that the decision not only strips them of rights secured through the peace agreement but also constitutes a significant risk to the ongoing peace process. TPLF deputy chairman Ammanuel Assefa articulated concerns that this decision undermines the efforts of many who have endured suffering during the conflict.

Political observers note that delays in upholding the peace agreement's commitments—including addressing the plight of nearly one million displaced individuals—contribute to a volatile atmosphere. International players, including the US, UK, and EU, have urged all parties to maintain stability and avoid a return to armed conflict. With national elections anticipated next June, the implications of the TPLF’s ban could reverberate across Ethiopian politics and society at large, as both sides grapple with the shadow of past violence and the potential for reconciliation.