A Response to the Second COHA Anniversary Statement by the Honorable Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State Department

Tigray People's Liberation Front Head Office /TPLF/
Tigrai Online 11/9/2024

An Open Letter

Tigray People's Liberation Front Head Office /TPLF/

We mark two years since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) in Pretoria, South Africa. On this solemn anniversary, we honor the resilience of the people of Tigray and remember the lives affected by the conflict. The Tigray People's Liberation Front expresses its deep appreciation to the African Union, the United States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations, and the European Union for their instrumental roles in supporting peace and creating a framework for dialogue and stability.

We also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the recent statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the COHA anniversary. While Secretary Blinken's remarks accurately highlight much of the progress and many of the challenges in the region, we must clarify that the statement "Internally displaced persons have returned to their homes and basic services have been restored" does not reflect the reality on the ground. For example, no IDPs have returned home, especially in Western Tigray, where most of the displaced come from.

While progress has been achieved, including the silencing of guns and the resumption of basic services in some areas, critical challenges persist. Among these is the continued presence of non-Ethiopian National Defense Forces (non-ENDF) within Tigray, which remains a direct obstacle to the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The TPLF reaffirms that IDPs can only return under conditions that enable the full restoration of the status quo ante, as stipulated in the Ethiopian Constitution and the COHA. This includes the restoration of Tigray's territorial integrity and the re-establishment of Tigray's rightful administration over these areas. The withdrawal of all non- ENDF forces is essential to rebuild trust, stabilize the region, and enable displaced communities to return to their homes in safety and dignity.

Furthermore, the TPLF emphasizes that transitional justice must involve the international community, as the crimes committed during the conflict call for accountability under international law. The scale and nature of these atrocities require impartial and comprehensive investigations to ensure that justice is delivered and the rights of all victims are honored.

The TPLF also underscores the urgent need to initiate a meaningful political dialogue that addresses the root causes of the conflict to ensure sustainable and lasting peace. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles of the COHA and stand ready to actively engage in a credible dialogue.

With the continued support of our international partners, the TPLF believes that sustainable peace can be realized. We extend our sincere gratitude to the African Union, the United States, IGAD, the United Nations, and the European Union for their unwavering commitment to a just and lasting future for all people of Tigray and Ethiopia as a whole.

Ends.

For your reference: here is a paragraph from the United States Department of State attributed to Antony J. Blinken is the current United States Secretary of State.

The United States welcomes important progress made on implementation of the COHA.  Most importantly, the guns in Tigray remain silent.  Internally displaced persons have returned to their homes and basic services have been restored.  The scheduled start of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration campaign this month is a critical step to consolidating the peace.  We also welcome the April 2024 publication of Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice Policy and the completion of the Transitional Justice Implementation Roadmap as important building blocks to achieving accountability and reconciliation. -https://www.state.gov/second-coha-anniversary/