Addis Ababa: The people of Tigray should stop the few former Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) leaders that are attempting to reignite conflict in Tigray region, Getachew Reda, East African Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister said. The advisor and Irrigation and Low Lands Minister Abraham Belay held discussion about the current situation in Tigray region with Tigrayans residing in Addis Ababa today.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Getachew elaborated that the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement effectively thwarted the plans of those who wanted to turn Tigray into a battleground. However, the return of displaced persons to their homes has not been realized as desired despite the agreement and the constitutional provisions, the advisor noted. He attributed the setback to the ruling power in Tigray region, which he said prioritizes lingering to power over the people’s agenda.
Getachew blamed the force in power in the region for the failure which is a direct consequence of the hijacking of the people’s agenda by actions of few Tigrayan politicians. According to him, the rigid stance of the leadership is preventing Tigray from saving itself from danger. The leadership is attempting to achieve its objectives through coercion without giving due consideration to the interests of the public, the advisor added.
While the Pretoria Peace Agreement aimed to resolve issues within the constitutional framework, Getachew stated that few former TPLF elements, who have evidently not learned from past mistakes, are expressing a desire to re-engage in conflict solely for the sake of power. He reminded those present that the previous conflict exacted a heavy toll on the people of Tigray. The imperative of exposing the malicious intentions of this force is to prevent the Tigrayan people from facing similar fate.
The advisor accused the few leaders, who are determined to cling to power, of sacrificing the children of the poor while ensuring the safety of their own offsprings. He characterized this force as reckless and intent on securing power, with the ultimate objective of avoid accountability. Emphasizing that the people of Tigray are peace-loving, Getachew called for exposing efforts to plunge the region back into war as a means to avoid accountability.
He stressed that Tigray’s relationship should be with the federal government and any attempt to form alliances for aggressive purposes must be brought to light. The advisor further underscored that strengthening ties with the federal government is pivotal for the effective implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, adding that the people of Tigray should not be sacrificed for the few power hungry persons. Getachew concluded by stating that 99 percent of the current leadership desires peace; and therefore, the few instigators of conflict must be confronted.