August 12, 2024
borkena
Toronto – On Monday, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia announced that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) party congress cannot take place. The Board emphasized that it will not recognize the congress or any decisions made during it if the TPLF proceeds against the Board’s directive.
This decision was issued a day before the TPLF congress, scheduled to start on August 13, amid internal party controversy that has led to the formation of two factions.
On Sunday, 14 central committee members of the TPLF released a statement declaring that they would not participate in the congress. They also held the faction organizing the congress responsible for any consequences.
The TPLF was designated as a terrorist organization in May 2021 after a vote by the Ethiopian parliament. The designation was removed following the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022.
Last week, the National Electoral Board registered the TPLF under “special conditions” based on the 1332/2016 amended proclamation. However, the TPLF refused to accept the certificate issued by the Electoral Board on grounds that it is seeking to regain its status – apparently status before the war it triggered in November 2020.
In a letter sent to the TPLF, the Board stated that the TPLF must notify the Board 21 days before holding a general party congress – as is the case with any registered political parties. It was elaborated in the letter that the requirement allows the Board to monitor and verify the processes and preparations leading up to the congress. The Board also needs to send observers to oversee the proceedings and decisions made during the congress.
The Board noted that it learned from news outlets that the TPLF was planning to conduct a congress. It reiterated that, as of the date the party received the Board’s letter regarding registration, the TPLF is governed by Ethiopia’s Election and Political Parties Registration Proclamations 1162/2011 and 1332/2016.
The Board added that it was not informed about the congress preparations, did not monitor the process, and has not sent observers.
Despite this, the TPLF, known for its stubborn stance, has made it clear that it does not need “anyone’s blessings” to hold the congress.
This situation could lead to serious military developments in the region, as the Federal government has to enforce The Board’s decision, potentially leading to conflict. In his latest remarks, Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed disclosed that there were five instances where the TPLF made provocations.
There are indications, as revealed in Aregawi Berhe’s interview with a local news provider, that a radical group within the TPLF is pushing for secession from Ethiopia. The situation is further complicated by the TPLF’s irredentist claims over Wolkait and Raya.
The Federal government is already engaged in a year-long war in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, where it has faced accusations of extensive human rights abuses. And the war is far from over.
One of the conditions of the Marco Economic Reform that PM Abiy Ahmed introduced a few weeks ago was peace – which appears to be like a mirage.
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