TPLF Denies Secret Talks with Eritrea, Calls Claims Fabricated

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The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has rejected allegations of secret negotiations with Eritrea, calling them unfounded. In response to claims by press and officials, the TPLF alleged a conspiracy aimed at undermining the Pretoria Agreement. Internally, divisions within the TPLF and external pressures from Eritrea have raised concerns over renewed hostilities in the region, despite TPLF’s stated commitment to peace.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has firmly dismissed allegations of having engaged in undisclosed negotiations with Eritrea, labeling these claims as entirely unfounded and devoid of evidence. In a statement released on February 26, the TPLF accused media outlets like Africa Intelligence and Oromia Media Network (OMN), alongside unnamed Ethiopian officials, of perpetuating falsehoods aimed at destabilizing the Pretoria Agreement. It further identified a so-called “national betrayal group” as the source of these allegations, asserting they form part of a wider conspiracy against the peace process now underway.

This statement emerged in response to a report from Africa Intelligence, which indicated that high-ranking members of the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) had purportedly increased interactions with Eritrean military officials. The report suggested informal meetings along the extensive 1,000-kilometer border had transitioned into a confidential gathering in Asmara at the end of January, where Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki allegedly guaranteed the TDF officers protection should conflict with Ethiopia arise. Subsequently, Western embassies have expressed growing concern about the potential resurgence of hostilities in the region.

The TPLF insisted that it, along with the Tigray military forces and the populace of Tigray, harbors no ulterior motives besides the full enactment of the Pretoria Agreement. They accused various actors of disseminating fabricated claims designed to mislead the public and the international community, rather than fostering a focus on the treaty’s implementation.

Since the Pretoria Agreement was signed, TPLF has claimed that the people of Tigray have faced numerous injustices while demonstrating a credible commitment to peace. Despite encountering both internal and external challenges, the organization declared its unwavering hope for the peace process. The party reaffirmed that its principled approach to peace remains steadfast and that it intends to continue fostering peaceful relations with neighboring regions and countries. They emphasized that all stakeholders must take the Pretoria Agreement seriously, viewing it as essential for resolving regional and national issues.

Recent internal divisions within the TPLF, particularly between factions led by Debretsion Gebremichael and Interim Administration President Getachew Reda, have further complicated the situation. There are indications of segments of Tigray military forces aligning with one faction, stirring fears of escalating instability. Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome has accused President Isaias Afwerki of seeking to exploit these divisions within the TPLF to weaken the Pretoria Agreement, cautioning that such strategies could reignite conflict in northern Ethiopia.

In an opinion piece published by Al Jazeera on February 17, he claimed that Isaias is engaged in destructive and predictable maneuvers, collaborating with discontented TPLF elements to undermine the peace agreement, potentially jeopardizing regional stability.

In summary, the TPLF has categorically denied accusations of secret dealings with Eritrea, condemning them as baseless fabrications aimed at disrupting the Pretoria Agreement. The organization maintains a commitment to peace, despite allegations and internal divisions, and has called for serious engagement with the agreement as a foundation for regional stability. The TPLF remains focused on implementing the agreement while expressing concerns about ongoing manipulations that threaten to reignite conflict in the region.

Original Source: addisstandard.com

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