Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – GSTS Position Statement on the Agreement for lasting peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed on 2 November 2022 in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa (04.11.2022)

A look into the TPLF’s Bureau of Public Relations Statement on the Peace Agreement

Today’s statement on the 2nd November 2022 Peace Agreement and Cessation of Hostilities between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), which was signed and negotiated in South Africa. That one of the Parties drops a Press Release and a statement like they did. Is deliberately telling a story. The Prime Minister and the FDRE has already done the same. The parties also released a joint press on it as well. So, there haven’t been silence, but strangely little from Mekelle or associates of it.

However, the Regional Government of Tigray haven’t addressed it and neither a statement from the External Affairs Office of it. That’s why the silence was pellicular, but two days after the signing of the agreement. There was finally a wording and a press statement from this party of the conflict alone.

Here is the two parts of the Press Statement from TPLF that I find interesting!

The people of Tigray have been facing a serious existential threat due to the open military invasion and genocide declared against them since October 24, 2013 EC. Thus, he has been and continues to be subjected to countless betrayals, atrocities and injustices in the past two years. The coalition invading forces have committed destruction against Tigray and its people. The rest of this was scattered and displaced. It is known that the people and government of Tigray have repeatedly called for peace talks to be started to stop this destruction and create a comfortable environment for our people to live in peace” (TPLF – ‘The peace talks agreement will be implemented by putting the interests of the people of Tigray at the center!’ 04.11.2022).

This agreement is the result of our struggle to meet the needs of our people and to protect their security in a sustainable manner. The fundamental achievement of this agreement is respect for the constitution and the constitutional order. The people and government of Tigray were forced into war two years ago because of constitutional violations against us, not because war was our choice. Before and during the war, we have repeatedly demanded respect for the constitution and informed the international community. However, our demands were not responded to positively by the Addis Ababa side and we were forced to stay in the war for a long time” (TPLF – ‘The peace talks agreement will be implemented by putting the interests of the people of Tigray at the center!’ 04.11.2022).

When you read these words and such while knowing how the FDRE has portrayed it all. You will see a fine mismatch of ideals and reasoning. This being who started the war in November 2020 and why the FDRE took action in the first place. The Tripartite Alliance of Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” and Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) was all part of the “Operation Law Enforcement” and this statement obviously counters that.

We know the Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar – Asmara has questioned the legitimacy of the regional government of Mekelle. That’s why the Tripartite Alliance has with several of offensives and such has tried to conquer and annihilate the Tigray Defence Force (TDF). However, that hasn’t happened, even as the current offensive has gained a corridor from Eritrea, but it never gotten as close to Mekelle, as the Tripartite Alliance wanted. They wanted the TPLF to surrender and just disarm. That is not happening now…

That’s why this statement is more than interesting. It is shedding a light on the Tripartite Alliance it won’t have. The same government that has vilified, recklessly have spewed hateful rhetoric and been disingenuous about its reasons for the war. That’s why so many of the statements from the FDRE could be debunked and so could the lies or deception about the war as well. Therefore, this statement from the TPLF is aiming at that. We know the Tripartite Alliance will dismiss it. That is just the nature of the game.

We can wonder how the spin-doctors of Addis Ababa will look at this. Because this counters their reasons to usher in the war and give them “credibility” to do so. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t expect or anticipate anything sincere from there. It haven’t been common or the modus operandi. That’s why I wouldn’t think that would come anytime soon. Especially when the authorities has acted like it has over the last few years. Prime Minister Abiy and President Afewerki haven’t been honest… and that’s why this sort of statement shows another side of the conflict. Peace.

Ethiopia: Qeerro Bilisummaa Oromoo (QBO) – Oromo Youth Liberation Movement – A call for all Oromians who live in and outside the country (04.11.2022)

Eritrea: Embassy of the State of Eritrea in the United Kingdom – Press Statement (04.11.2022)

Ethiopia: Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) – (02.11.2022)

Ethiopia: IGAD Executive Secretary Congratulates Parties to the Conflict on the Signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (02.11.2022)

Ethiopia: Joint Statement between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) – (02.11.2022)

Ethiopia: Office of the Prime Minister – Expression of Gratitude on the Conclusion of Peace Talks (02.11.2022)

Ethiopia: FDRE Government Communication Services – The ENDF is sacrificing to liberate its citizens in the region of Tigray from the choking volk of TPLF (30.10.20229

Ethiopia: FDRE Government Communication Services – Ethiopia condemns irresponsible allegations of ‘atrocities’ for sinister political agenda (28.10.2022)