By Dagim Teteka
A shadow hangs over the fragile peace agreement in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. In a recent press conference, Tigray’s interim administration president, Getachew Reda, declared a referendum in Western Tigray “unattainable” due to “demographic changes and persistent displacement” of its inhabitants.
This announcement comes amidst accusations and counter-accusations between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian federal government regarding the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, signed in November 2022. One major sticking point is the disputed status of Western Tigray.
Getachew Reda pointed to a “substantial influx of settlers” and the involvement of federal institutions in “demographic modifications” in Western Tigray. This echoes findings by the US State Department in 2023, which accused Amhara forces of committing “ethnic cleansing” against Tigrayans in the region.
Despite the peace agreement, reports by Human Rights Watch and media outlets like Addis Standard document continued human rights abuses and forced expulsions of Tigrayans. Reda stressed the importance of adhering to the Pretoria agreement’s requirement for the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes.
Adding another layer of complexity, the Ethiopian National Election Board’s decision to revoke TPLF’s legal registration as a political party in 2021 creates challenges for the interim administration’s activities. Tigrayan officials argue this leaves the federal government without a legitimate counterpart to implement the peace agreement.
Further complicating matters are allegations, denied by Reda, that the Tigray interim administration is collaborating with external forces to undermine the federal government. Reda maintains the sole priority is restoring peace and repatriating IDPs.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for March 2024 to assess the progress of the peace agreement. Representatives from the African Union, United Nations, United States, and South Africa will join the Ethiopian parties.
However, the unresolved issues of Western Tigray, IDP repatriation, and TPLF’s legal status cast a long shadow over the peace process. Whether Ethiopia can navigate these challenges and build lasting peace remains to be seen.
