TPLF Announces Reinstatement of Regional Legislature, Urges Renewed Peace Process

Mintesinot Nigussie

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has announced plans to reinstate the Tigray regional council, saying the move is aimed at strengthening governance and renewing momentum behind the stalled implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement. In a statement issued after a Central Committee meeting held on April 15–16, the party said the decision would return the regional legislative body to work after a prolonged period under a transitional administration established in the aftermath of the northern Ethiopia conflict.

The TPLF said the step was intended to reinforce what it described as the institutional basis of self-administration in Tigray and to support efforts to transition the peace agreement into what it called a durable political settlement. The Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022, ended a two-year war between federal government forces and Tigrayan forces. Since then, its implementation has faced recurring disputes over security arrangements, political administration, and humanitarian access.

In its statement, the TPLF said progress on key provisions of the agreement had been uneven. It argued that certain obligations expected under the deal had not been fully implemented, including issues related to regional administration and the return of displaced communities. The party also said that the continuation of transitional governance structures without what it described as broad political inclusion risked weakening the agreement’s foundation. It called for renewed engagement among stakeholders to address outstanding issues through dialogue.

The federal government has previously maintained that it remains committed to implementing the Pretoria Agreement, while acknowledging that some aspects require continued negotiation and coordination. Officials have said reconstruction, disarmament, and institutional normalization are ongoing processes.

The TPLF statement further said it remained open to political talks and stressed the need for cooperation with other Ethiopian political actors and neighbouring regions to stabilise the post-conflict environment. It also discussed internal governance arrangements in Tigray, saying the reinstated regional council would be part of broader efforts to rebuild administrative structures and restore public services affected by the conflict.

Overall, the TPLF’s announcement to reinstate the regional legislature and urge a renewed peace process highlights ongoing efforts to address unresolved issues from the northern Ethiopia conflict and strengthen governance in Tigray.