15 February 2024
Tigray’s interim leader, President Getachew Reda, accused external forces of hindering the implementation of the peace agreement signed in Pretoria last November. He made the remarks during a meeting with a German parliamentary delegation visiting the region.
President Reda told the delegation, led by Monika Grütters, that these external forces are obstructing progress on key aspects of the deal, such as disarmament and the return of federal authority. He did not specify which countries or groups he was referring to.
The German delegation expressed their full support for the peace agreement and its implementation. They are in Tigray to assess the situation and understand the challenges faced by the interim administration. Their visit included a stop at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in the regional capital, Mekelle.
The Pretoria peace agreement was signed in November 2023 between the Ethiopian federal government and Tigrayan rebels, marking a significant step towards ending the two-year conflict that has devastated the region. However, implementation has been slow, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the deal.
President Reda’s claims of external interference add another layer of complexity to the already fragile peace process. It remains to be seen how these accusations will affect the ongoing efforts to bring lasting peace to Tigray.
