News Calls for neutrality ring out as TPLF leadership divisions deepen
September 14, 2024
US Special Envoy reaffirms commitment to peace deal
Senior leaders of the Tigray Defense Force (TDF) have expressed concerns over the growing rift in the top echelons of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) following an order to halt all demonstrations in the region, and reaffirmed their commitment to neutrality in the party’s internal conflict.
Lt. General Tadesse Werede, deputy president of the Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) and head of the peace and security secretariat, called for an end to the division during a media briefing on September 9, 2024.
“The ongoing activity and confusion within the divided TPLF must stop, as the people have not accepted it,” he said. “The attempts to mobilize public demonstrations, either in support or opposition, have instilled fear in the population, and must cease immediately.”
However, Tadesse said that peaceful gatherings within designated areas will be allowed.
Also a senior TDF leader, Tadesse called on the TPLF faction within the interim administration to “stop its reshuffling of officials” in the region.
“All demonstrations across Tigray should be halted, and the demand from the TPLF to assume power must be put on hold,” said Tadesse.
He called for a blanket suspension on governmental appointments.
“Mediation efforts are underway between TPLF leaders, aiming for unity if possible. If not, they must acknowledge their differences and act within the law. Any actions beyond this framework must cease, as they cross a red line,” said Tadesse.
He claimed that Tigray’s armed forces remain neutral in the intra-TPLF conflict and asserted they have no intention of seizing administrative control. However, other sources say the transfer of power to these forces is becoming increasingly apparent.
During a recent interview with Reyot Media, Getachew Reda, TIA president, said that “no third party can claim to be a security force on its own.”
He affirmed that the region’s security forces are under the control of his administration.
“Security forces are integrated into the temporary administration structure,” said Getachew. “No external entity can claim to be a security force on its own. The legitimacy of the security force is derived from the Interim Administration.”
The President disclosed he has not reviewed detailed reports on the distribution of regional administration responsibilities to security forces. However, he said that these forces are authorized to make “formal requests” to the government regarding their activities.
“All must move beyond the winner-takes-all politics and chart a new path that leverages collective capacity and embraces diverse opinions to safeguard Tigray’s interests,” said Getachew in a message for the New Year.
However, Amanuel Assefa, newly-elected TPLF deputy chairperson, accused the TIA of conducting an employee reshuffle that targeted party members and of imposing restrictions preventing mass rallies in various parts of the region.
He claimed that the TIA deliberately laid off and imprisoned officials aligned with the TPLF’s ideology. According to him, these actions occurred in Axum, Samre, Selewa, and other areas, with officials facing repercussions as a result.
The TIA claims the reshuffle is part of broader administrative reforms.
Meanwhile, on 12 September 2024, US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, met with Getachew Reda and TIA Vice-President Tsadkan Gebretensae to discuss the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), the challenges impeding its progress, and potential steps forward.
According to a US Embassy “X” post the same day of the meeting, Hammer emphasized the importance of “ensuring the secure return of internally displaced persons and the launch of a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program ahead of the two-year anniversary of the CoHA” during his discussion with the TIA heads.
“They agreed that there is no option to return to conflict and that outstanding issues should be resolved through political dialogue,” reads the post.
Getachew called for the US and other international partners to apply unified pressure to ensure the peace agreement is implemented fully.
He highlighted the urgent need to address the suffering of hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Tigrayan refugees in Sudan.
“The status quo is no longer tenable, and failure to fully implement the agreement would have far-reaching consequences for peace and stability in the region,” said the president after his meeting with Hammer.