Mekelle/Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — In a surprising revelation, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) leader Debretsion Gebremichael announced previously undisclosed peace talks between Tigray and neighboring Eritrea. Speaking at a press conference in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, Debretsion disclosed that the first round of talks took place six months ago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, marking a potential turning point in the region’s turbulent relations.
The talks, which were spearheaded by Getachew Reda, the president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration, were held with Eritrean leaders in an effort to ease tensions and resolve long-standing issues between the two sides. Debretsion noted that these negotiations, which remain confidential in terms of venue and timing, have continued beyond the initial Dubai meeting.
“These discussions were initiated by the TPLF Executive Committee,” Debretsion stated. “Getachew Reda has been actively engaging with Eritrean leaders. Both my party and the honorable Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are aware of these efforts, and they have been encouraged.”
The talks have reportedly yielded positive outcomes, particularly regarding the reduction of violence and abuses committed by Eritrean forces in Tigray. “The abduction of citizens, looting, and other hostile activities by Eritrean forces have improved as a direct result of these talks,” Debretsion said, underlining the significance of these initial steps toward peace.
Debretsion emphasized that Tigray’s goal is to foster peaceful relations with all its neighbors, including Eritrea and domestic forces such as the Fano militia. “We are committed to making peace with all, including Eritrea,” he added, highlighting the importance of dialogue in resolving regional conflicts.
While Debretsion credited Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for supporting the initiative, there has yet to be an official response from the Ethiopian government, Eritrea, or Getachew Reda regarding the reported meetings. The TPLF leader did, however, confirm that Getachew has kept the Ethiopian Prime Minister informed about the progress of the negotiations.
The strained relations between Tigray and Eritrea date back decades, but tensions escalated during the two-year conflict in Tigray that erupted in 2020. During this war, Eritrea aligned with the Ethiopian government in military operations against the TPLF, resulting in widespread destruction and thousands of deaths. Human rights organizations and the United States accused both Ethiopian and Eritrean forces of committing war crimes during the conflict, allegations that both governments have denied.
In November 2022, the Ethiopian government and the TPLF signed the Pretoria Agreement, a landmark Cessation of Hostilities deal aimed at ending the violence in Tigray. The agreement included a commitment to withdraw all foreign forces, notably Eritrean troops, from the region. However, Tigray officials maintain that Eritrean forces still occupy parts of the region, a situation that remains a significant point of contention.
The peace talks between Tigray and Eritrea come at a time when the international community, including the United States, is closely monitoring Ethiopia’s progress toward lasting peace. A recent visit by U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, aimed to review the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement and discuss ongoing efforts to end violence in Ethiopia’s Amhara and Oromia regions.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department reiterated its commitment to supporting Ethiopia and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration in achieving durable peace. “This includes effective disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration for ex-combatants, as well as the peaceful return of internally displaced persons and the advancement of transitional justice and accountability,” the statement said.
As the region cautiously moves toward peace, the revelation of talks between Tigray and Eritrea offers a glimmer of hope that the scars of war can begin to heal, even as significant challenges remain on the path to stability.
#Tigray #Eritrea #PeaceTalks #TPLF #Ethiopia #RegionalPeace #DebretsionGebremichael #GetachewReda #HornOfAfrica #PretoriaAgreement #ConflictResolution #Diplomacy #HumanRights #EritreanForces #EthiopianPolitics #WarInTigray #AbiyAhmed #TransitionalJustice #AfricanPolitics #Disarmament #PeaceInTigray
Leave a Reply