Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
Elders and religious Leaders Meet Tigray Leaders to Promote Peace and National Unity
A high-level delegation of elders and business leaders from Ethiopia’s twelve federal regions, Addis Ababa, and Dire Dawa held a significant meeting with the leadership of the Tigray Regional Interim Administration (IRA) in Mekelle on Sunday, in a bid to promote reconciliation and lasting peace between the Federal Government and the Tigray region.
The delegation met with IRA President General Tadesse Worede and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) Chairman Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael. General Tadesse expressed gratitude for the visit, calling it “a hopeful step toward unity,” and reaffirmed Tigray’s commitment to the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA). He stressed the importance of restoring dignity and security to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and ensuring the region never returns to war.
But the visit comes amid growing controversy and division over remarks made by Dr. Debretsion during the 37th Tigray Martyrs’ Day. In his speech, Debretsion reaffirmed the continuity of the political and strategic alliance known as “ጽምዶ” between the TPLF and Eritrea’s ruling party, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), led by President Isaias Afwerki.
This declaration has sparked a major backlash across Tigray, especially among the younger generation, survivors of the genocide, and opposition voices. Eritrean forces were widely accused of leading atrocities and mass killings during the two-year war in Tigray. Many have labeled the alliance a “death pact” that dishonors the sacrifices of the war and threatens Tigray’s future and Ethiopia’s sovereignty.
President Tadesse Worede, despite having previously signed a commitment to end the alliance and protect national sovereignty upon his appointment, has yet to take any public action or make a formal statement on the matter drawing criticism from activists and veterans alike.
Amid this political fallout, internal divisions have reportedly intensified within the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) itself. A significant number of TDF generals and rank-and-file members have distanced themselves from what they call the “core” TPLF-affiliated generals who continue to support the controversial alliance. These opposing officers are increasingly aligning with the Tigray Peace Force, a newly emerging faction based in Hara Meret (Afar border region) and Tselemti (Western Tigray). They advocate for a clean break from external interference especially from Eritrea and are calling for a fully sovereign and democratic Tigray that respects the will of its people.
General Wedi Antiru(L) The Commander of Tigray Peace Force,General Wedi Raya(R) the former Comander of Army 92 of TDF,now he is from high commander of the Tigray Peace Force.
“We cannot follow leaders who shake hands with those who slaughtered our families,” said one defector from the TDF now aligned with the Peace Force.
Despite the divisions, the elders and business leaders’ delegation voiced optimism that Tigray and Ethiopia can still move forward through honest dialogue, inclusive governance, and genuine accountability.
“Our message is simple,” said a delegate from Oromia. “Tigrayy and Ethiopia they desere peace,no more war. The people deserve transparency, truth, and peace built on justice.”
As the political situation in Tigray evolves, calls are growing louder for President Tadesse to honor his promise to protect Tigray’s interests and end the controversial alliance with the Eritrean regime a regime many Tigrayans hold responsible for crimes against humanity committed during the war.
