The TPLF has rejected accusations of secret negotiations with Eritrea, calling them unfounded. The party claims these allegations are intended to undermine the Pretoria Agreement. Amid growing internal divisions and external pressures, the TPLF maintains its commitment to peace and calls for a collective adherence to the agreement as a means to resolve regional issues.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has firmly denied allegations of secret negotiations with the Eritrean government, labeling these claims as entirely false and unsupported by evidence. In a statement released on February 26, TPLF attributed the spread of these accusations to media outlets such as Africa Intelligence and Oromia Media Network, along with unnamed Ethiopian officials, asserting that they are part of a broader attempt to undermine the Pretoria Agreement.
The TPLF claimed that these assertions originate from a so-called “national betrayal group,” which it describes as part of a conspiratorial effort to disrupt the peace process. This rebuttal follows a report alleging that members of the Tigray Defence Forces have enhanced engagement with Eritrean military officials, which reportedly included prior informal meetings along the lengthy border and a confidential assembly in Asmara last January.
TPLF reiterated its commitment to the Pretoria Agreement, explaining that the population and military of Tigray have been enduring significant challenges while striving for peace. The statement emphasized their resolve to advance relations with neighboring regions and called for collective adherence to the peace agreement as a solution to regional and national issues.
Internally, the TPLF is experiencing factional divisions, notably between groups led by Debretsion Gebremichael and Interim Administration President Getachew Reda, heightening worries about regional instability. Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome has cautioned that President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea is seeking to exploit these fractures within the TPLF, which could threaten the integrity of the peace agreement and potentially lead to renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia.
In an opinion piece, Mr. Teshome expressed concerns regarding Isaias’s efforts to align with discontented elements within TPLF, suggesting that these maneuvers might endanger the peace deal and destabilize the region further. TPLF expressed its unwavering dedication to peace and called for serious commitment to the Pretoria Agreement from all parties involved.
In summary, the TPLF has rejected allegations of clandestine contacts with Eritrea and emphasized its commitment to the Pretoria Agreement. Amid internal divisions and external pressures, the TPLF asserts its determination to pursue peace while warning against the dangers posed by destabilizing actions. The situation continues to evolve, with calls for unity and adherence to the peace framework being vital for regional stability.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
