ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The Tigray region of northern Ethiopia is experiencing escalating political unrest following the National Election Board of Ethiopia’s (NEBE) decision to deregister the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as a political party.
This move has intensified internal divisions within the TPLF and raised concerns about the stability of the fragile peace established by the 2022 Pretoria Agreement.
NEBE announced the deregistration on May 14, citing the TPLF’s failure to convene a general assembly and elect new leadership, as required under the terms of its reinstatement last August.
The board stated that the TPLF’s legal recognition was revoked due to its inability to meet these conditions, effectively barring the party from political activities and initiating the liquidation of its assets to settle outstanding liabilities.
The TPLF has contested the deregistration, arguing that it undermines the Pretoria Agreement, which ended a two-year civil war between the TPLF and the federal government.
In a letter to the African Union, the TPLF stated that the ban “denies the TPLF a right it had reclaimed through the Pretoria Agreement and poses a serious threat to the foundation of the peace process.”
The internal power struggle within the TPLF has further complicated the situation.
A faction led by Debretsion Gebremichael has effectively overthrown the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA), sidelining leaders like Getachew Reda and Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae, who were seen as proponents of constructive engagement with the federal government.
In March, fighters loyal to Debretsion seized control of key offices in Mekelle and the town of Adigrat, prompting Getachew Reda to flee to Addis Ababa.
The federal government has since appointed Tadesse Worede, a former TPLF commander, as the new head of the interim administration in Tigray.
Tadesse is viewed as a neutral figure amid the TPLF’s internal divisions and has pledged to focus on the return of displaced persons and the demobilization of armed forces.
The recent developments have raised fears of a return to conflict, not only within Ethiopia but also with neighboring Eritrea.
Eritrea, which was excluded from the 2022 peace agreement, has expressed dissatisfaction with the current arrangements and has mobilized its military forces.
Ethiopia has also deployed troops along the shared border, heightening tensions in the region.
Analysts warn that the combination of the TPLF’s deregistration, internal power struggles, and regional tensions could destabilize the Horn of Africa.
