Mekelle, March 5፡2025 (Tigray Herald)
Urgent Call for Justice, Accountability, and Full Implementation of the Pretoria and Nairobi Agreements in Tigray
By Batseba Seifu
Dear Esteemed Members of the European Union,
I extend my profound gratitude for the European Union’s unwavering commitment to peace, human rights, and justice. The recent Joint Statement during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC58) reaffirms the EU’s dedication to these principles, particularly in addressing the situation in Tigray. Your continued support for human rights, accountability, and the full implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and the Nairobi Declaration is critical for ensuring sustainable peace, justice, and accountability in the region.
Urgent Priorities for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement
The Pretoria Agreement and Nairobi Declaration provide a framework for stability, but key provisions remain unfulfilled. I urge the EU to intensify its efforts in ensuring:
The withdrawal of non-Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) troops from Tigray. The continued presence of Amhara and Eritrean forces is a direct violation of the peace agreement and a major impediment to lasting stability. Their withdrawal is a necessary step toward restoring peace and security.
The safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Close to a million Tigrayans remain displaced, unable to return due to security concerns, lack of resources, and ongoing occupation. The EU must press for an immediate resolution to these issues to facilitate their safe return.
The peaceful resolution of territorial disputes. The Pretoria Agreement and the Nairobi Declaration explicitly uphold the territorial integrity of Tigray, yet illegal occupations persist. A peaceful, just, and internationally monitored process must put these agreements into critical consideration.
Comprehensive disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) in line with Tigray’s security needs. DDR must not be carried out at the expense of Tigray’s security. The Nairobi Declaration makes clear that DDR should align with the safety of the region, ensuring a structured and fair process that does not leave Tigray vulnerable to further threats. Further, a genuine reintegration program must be established, ensuring that former combatants are given the necessary support to transition into civilian life.
The Imperative for International Justice and Accountability
Justice for the atrocities committed in Tigray cannot be left to domestic mechanisms that lack transparency and independence. Despite overwhelming evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, meaningful accountability remains elusive. The exclusion of international investigative bodies only strengthens the culture of impunity. The EU must:
Support universal jurisdiction cases in EU member states to prosecute perpetrators of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Tigray.
Advocate for an international tribunal to ensure independent and impartial prosecution of those responsible.
Condition diplomatic and economic engagement with Ethiopian authorities on meaningful accountability and the full implementation of the peace agreements. No engagement should proceed without tangible progress in justice, and the implementation of the Pretoria Agreements and the Nairobi Declaration.
Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis and Preventing Future Atrocities
Despite the signing of the Pretoria Agreement, Tigray remains in crisis. The deliberate destruction of infrastructure, starvation tactics, and blockade of essential services have left millions in dire need. Humanitarian assistance is essential. There is also need for justice. The EU must:
Ensure unfettered humanitarian access to all parts of Tigray to provide lifesaving aid in addition to providing aid through local Civil Society Organizations.
Hold accountable those responsible for starvation crimes and economic warfare that continue to harm civilians.
Implement long-term measures to prevent further human rights abuses, ensuring that Tigray is not subjected to future cycles of violence.
The EU’s Role in Upholding Human Rights and Justice
The European Union has a historic opportunity to reaffirm its leadership in global human rights and justice. Tigray cannot be abandoned to impunity. The EU’s legal, diplomatic, and economic influence can be decisive in ensuring justice, peace, and stability in the region.
I urge the EU to take bold and immediate action, leveraging all available mechanisms to:
Ensure full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement and the Nairobi Declaration.
Hold perpetrators of grave human rights violations accountable through international legal frameworks and mechanisms.
Prioritize justice as a fundamental pillar of sustainable peace in Tigray.
The people of Tigray deserve dignity, security, and justice. The European Union must continue to stand firmly in support of these fundamental rights.
European Union at the UN – New York
