Mekelle፡ 18 September 2024 (Tigray Herald)
President Getachew Reda Presses for IDPs Repatriation as #French Ambassador Visits Mekelle to Assesses Peace Progress
Tigray Interim President Getachew Reda has emphasized that “the largest chunk of IDPs have yet to be repatriated,” referring to IDPs from Western Tigray. This statement was made during a meeting with French Ambassador to Ethiopia Alexis Lamek, who arrived in Mekelle to discuss the progress of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
President Getachew called on the federal government to remove obstacles preventing the return of the displaced.
Accompanied by Kindeya Gebrehiwet, Head of the Cabinet Secretariat for Social Development Transformation, and Eyassu Abraha, Head of the Bureau of Agriculture, President Getachew also raised concerns about the presence of Eritrean forces in Tigray. He warned that their continued presence, particularly in Irob, Eastern Tigray, poses an existential threat to the minority community.
The discussion also highlighted what is left from Pretoria agreement. “What matters to us is to narrow whatever differences there are,” Getachew stated, calling for political dialogue and accountability on unresolved issues.
Regarding the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process, President Getachew underscored that disarmament must address the security situation on the ground, ““That’s what pretty much Pretoria states” he underscored. President Getachew stressed the need for support in the demobilization and reintegration of Tigrayan forces.
French Ambassador Lamek echoed the urgency of fully implementing the Pretoria accord and announced that a delegation from the embassy is to visit French-supported projects in in the region.
President Getachew thanked the French government for its continued support in Tigray’s rehabilitation efforts.
Source Tigray Television
