Europe Peace Group Warns Rising Ethiopia-TPLF Tensions Could Threaten Pretoria Peace Deal

August 5, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The Europe Peace Foundation has called on the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to reduce tensions and return to dialogue, warning that renewed confrontation could undermine the 2022 peace agreement that ended the two-year war in northern Ethiopia. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the foundation expressed concern over what it described as growing political and security tensions between Addis Ababa and the TPLF, including reports of military mobilisation and heightened activity near the Ethiopia-Sudan border.

The organisation said the people of Tigray were still recovering from the consequences of the conflict that began in November 2020 and ended with the signing of the Pretoria Agreement on November 2, 2022, formally known as the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities. The conflict resulted in widespread loss of life, displacement, destruction of infrastructure and a major humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia.

The foundation said disagreements over the implementation of the peace agreement, including disputes involving the Tigray Interim Regional Administration and the TPLF, as well as strained relations between Mekelle and Addis Ababa, risked reversing progress made since the ceasefire. "There can be no military solution to political disagreements," the foundation said, warning that renewed fighting could worsen humanitarian conditions, destabilise the Horn of Africa and affect Ethiopia's recovery efforts.

The organisation urged both sides to exercise restraint, avoid actions that could escalate tensions and recommit to implementing the Pretoria Agreement. The statement called for differences to be addressed through inclusive dialogue under the foundation's Global Peace 2030 initiative, with priority given to the security and wellbeing of civilians. The Pretoria Agreement ended a conflict that involved federal forces, regional forces and allied groups against the TPLF-led administration in Tigray. Implementation of the agreement has remained a source of political tension, particularly around issues including regional governance, disarmament and the return of displaced communities.

Source: FSX Business News