The main political party in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has announced plans to restore its pre-war administration, a move that could seriously threaten the fragile peace agreement that ended one of Africa’s deadliest recent conflicts.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) said it would re-establish its own governing structures, effectively rejecting the current interim administration created under the peace deal with the Ethiopia federal government.
In a statement, the TPLF accused the government of violating the Pretoria Agreement, which brought an end to the brutal two-year civil war in late 2022. The party claimed authorities had withheld funding, interfered in regional governance, and extended the mandate of the interim leadership without proper consultation.
The group warned that the federal government’s actions risk reigniting conflict, accusing it of moving toward “another bloody war.”
The announcement has triggered concern among political observers and former officials. Getachew Reda, a former Tigray leader and current adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, said the move amounts to a rejection of the post-war political framework and warned of the risk of a “catastrophic conflict” if tensions escalate.
The Ethiopian government has not yet publicly responded to the latest claims, though it has previously denied breaching the peace deal and insisted it remains committed to the agreement.
The conflict in Tigray between 2020 and 2022 caused widespread devastation, with hundreds of thousands of people believed to have died due to fighting, famine, and the collapse of essential services.
The Pretoria Agreement, brokered by the African Union, established a temporary administration in Tigray and outlined steps toward disarmament, political dialogue, and eventual elections.
However, the agreement has come under increasing strain in recent months. Reports indicate that clashes have occurred since early this year between TPLF forces and federal troops, as well as allied militias.
In its latest statement, the TPLF said it would also strengthen ties with neighboring regions and countries, signaling a shift toward rebuilding its political influence beyond the current federal framework.
The Ethiopian government has previously accused the TPLF of undermining stability and even alleged links with Eritrea, though both sides have denied cooperation.
The situation now raises serious concerns about the durability of the peace process, with international observers warning that renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia could have severe humanitarian and regional consequences.
As tensions rise, calls are growing for diplomatic intervention to prevent a return to large-scale violence and to preserve the fragile gains made since the end of the war.
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