MEKELLE — The chairperson of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Debretsion Gebremichael, has accused Ethiopia’s federal government of failing to fully implement the Pretoria Peace Agreement and warned that Tigray must remain prepared to defend its interests.
Speaking at a public forum in Mekelle on Sunday, Debretsion said that peace alone could not guarantee Tigray’s security and sovereignty, arguing that the region must strengthen its ability to protect itself.
“There is no peace to be found from prosperity… We cannot secure our sovereignty through peace,” he said, while urging Tigrayans to “restore our national honor” and remain united in safeguarding the region’s future.
The remarks came as senior TPLF officials, including members of the party’s executive and central committees, held similar public discussions in several towns across Tigray over the weekend, focusing on political developments, the implementation of the peace deal, and regional concerns.
The Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022 between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, ended a two-year war that killed thousands of people and caused a major humanitarian crisis. The agreement included provisions on disarmament, restoration of services, humanitarian access, and a political process to address outstanding issues.
TPLF officials have repeatedly raised concerns over the pace of implementation, including issues related to security arrangements, displaced populations, and the status of disputed territories.
The Ethiopian federal government has maintained that it remains committed to implementing the peace agreement while emphasizing the importance of national unity and constitutional processes.
The latest comments highlight continuing political tensions in Tigray more than a year after the end of the conflict, as regional leaders and federal authorities continue to negotiate the next phase of post-war recovery and governance.
Observers say the statements reflect ongoing disagreements over power-sharing, security guarantees, and the future political status of Tigray within Ethiopia’s federal system.
