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TPLF Statement on Current Developments
Unilateral decisions and actions that infringe upon the CoHA must cease!

By TPLF Office Mekelle
Tigrai Online 3/27/2025

Two and a half years have passed since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), commonly referred to as the Pretoria Agreement. Tigray and the TPLF have made every effort to ensure the swift implementation of this agreement. It is evident that Tigray has borne injustices it should never have endured, all in the name of peace. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government has persistently sought to unilaterally impose new terms on the CoHA, engaging in acts of sabotage that undermine peace and progress.

The people of Tigray should have had an elected government by now. However, this has not materialized due to the Ethiopian government’s deliberate efforts to manufacture political crises in Tigray. Beyond the violations already known, the Ethiopian government is escalating its activities in direct contravention of the CoHA. Article 3 of the CoHA obliges all parties to refrain from any direct or indirect hostile actions targeting the other party. This includes prohibitions on hostile propaganda and media campaigns. Yet, the Ethiopian government has long been engaged in provocative, hostile, and destabilizing activities that threaten the survival of the already deeply wounded people of Tigray. It has mobilized numerous proxies and provided them with unaccounted-for resources to annihilate Tigray.

Despite these ongoing violations, the Ethiopian government is now attempting to unilaterally determine the state of the Interim Government of Tigray, citing irrelevant laws (Proclamation 359/2003; Regulation 533/2023) in direct contradiction to the spirit and content of the CoHA. Article 10 of the CoHA stipulates that the Tigray Interim Administration must be established through dialogue between the TPLF and the Ethiopian government. Therefore, the Interim Government in Tigray is a product of the CoHA, not a unilateral decision by the Ethiopian government. The current hostile actions blatantly violate the agreement.

Rather than focusing on rehabilitating the people of Tigray, who have endured a genocidal war, the Ethiopian government has resorted to malicious acts such as blocking essential commodities like fuel from entering Tigray and halting life-saving activities. These actions gamble with the lives and livelihoods of the people of Tigray. Such behavior not only violates the CoHA but also breaches international law, warranting accountability for genocide. Furthermore, the Ethiopian government has engaged in activities that disrupt the peace and stability of Tigray. Members and leaders of the Tigray Armed Forces, who have sacrificed greatly for peace, are now facing fabricated accusations by Ethiopian government institutions.

Despite these challenges, following the TPLF’s decision to withdraw its delegation of the presidency of the Interim Government of Tigray, discussions were held with the Ethiopian government to determine a replacement. An evaluation of the Interim Administration’s performance revealed its shortcomings, leading to a consensus that the president should be replaced. Consequently, the TPLF’s Central Committee proposed General Tadesse Werede for the position, which was accepted by the Ethiopian government. However, disregarding the CoHA-led process and mutual agreement, the Office of the Ethiopian Prime Minister issued a public call for candidates, falsely asserting that the decision rests solely with the Prime Minister. This move, which contravenes the CoHA, is unacceptable.

As the TPLF has consistently stated in its official communications, the focus must remain on implementing the CoHA’s provisions. These include liberating the people of Tigray from the atrocities of brutal occupation, facilitating the return of internally displaced persons and refugees suffering under inhumane conditions, restoring Tigray’s autonomy and territorial integrity, ensuring justice and accountability, compensating victims, advancing rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, and preparing for an elected government in Tigray.

We urge the Ethiopian government to prioritize actions and decisions that foster sustainable peace and mutual interests, rather than engaging in destabilizing activities that harm the people. As always, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to peace and development and our steadfast resistance to any attempts to derail this just and beneficial path.

Eternal Glory to Our Martyrs!
26 March 2025
Mekelle