Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
TPLF Issues Scathing Rebuttal to Federal Government, Demands Full Implementation of Peace Deal
In a sweeping and strongly-worded communiqué addressed to diplomatic missions and international partners, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has firmly rejected claims made by the Ethiopian Federal Government and accused it of actively undermining the Pretoria Peace Agreement (CoHA).
The 15-page document, titled “No Amount of Lies or Fabrications Could Conceal the Truth,” was released on Sunday and responds to a memo circulated by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that sought to “set the record straight” on recent tensions with the TPLF.
TPLF: No “War Faction,” Only a Commitment to Peace
The TPLF dismissed federal allegations of being a “war faction,” calling such characterizations politically motivated and inaccurate. “There are no internal divisions or military aspirations within the party,” the statement read. “Attempts to label the TPLF as a warmonger are deliberate efforts to justify the federal government’s refusal to reinstate the party’s legal status.”
The group emphasized its consistent support for the CoHA and peaceful reintegration with the Ethiopian federation, warning that failure to legally recognize the TPLF as a political actor violates the very terms of the peace deal signed in Pretoria in November 2022.
Accusations of Blockade, Travel Ban, and Economic Siege
The TPLF condemned what it described as a “silent siege” imposed by the federal government, pointing to continued restrictions on fuel supplies, trade, and international travel to and from Tigray.
“Fuel shortages are not logistical accidents—they are deliberate blockades,” the statement warned, adding that recent bans on diplomats, foreign passport holders, and humanitarian workers from entering Tigray further isolate the region and obstruct recovery efforts.
IDPs and Territorial Disputes at the Center of Crisis
The memo highlighted the ongoing suffering of over one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in and outside Tigray. It accused the government of failing to ensure their safe return, especially those from Western Tigray, Erob, and northern woredas still occupied by Eritrean and Amhara forces.
The TPLF renewed its call for immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces and federal-backed militias from the region, describing them as “Tekeze Guards” armed with the aim of provoking new conflict.
Rejection of Federal Claims on Eritrean Ties
Responding to recent allegations of clandestine cooperation with Eritrea, the TPLF dismissed the accusations as baseless propaganda. “There have been no secret meetings, no military pacts. This is pure disinformation aimed at derailing the peace process,” the leadership insisted.
Support for New Tigray Interim Leadership
The TPLF expressed full support for the recently reappointed Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) under Lt. General Tadesse Werede. The newly formed cabinet has adopted a 100-day plan focused on restoring services, returning IDPs, and rebuilding infrastructure.
Federal Government Accused of Sponsoring Proxy Armed Groups
In one of the most serious allegations, the TPLF accused the Ethiopian federal government of organizing, funding, and directing a new armed group based in Semera, Afar Region, allegedly with the mission to “dismantle the TPLF and disrupt Tigray’s stability.” This, the statement argues, violates Article 3 of the CoHA, which prohibits violence or subversive actions using proxy forces.
A Call to the International Community
The TPLF concluded its letter by urging international stakeholders to:
Uphold and enforce all provisions of the Pretoria Agreement;
Support the legal reinstatement of the TPLF;
Condemn federal support for armed groups;
Ensure free movement of humanitarian workers, investors, and diaspora members to Tigray;
Lift all blockades and restrictions affecting the region;
Back reconstruction and political dialogue initiatives under the current TIRA.
