Tigrayans in Addis Ababa held a protest as the TPLF condemn the protest as politically motivated

Mekelle, Tigray (Wegahta) - Hundreds of Tigrayans gathered in Ethiopia’s capital on Saturday calling for peace in the Tigray region, implementation of the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement and an end to forced military conscription, while Tigray’s regional authorities and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front condemned the demonstration as serving the interests of the federal government.

The demonstration was organized by the Tigray Council for Peace and Change in Tigray, a coalition of Tigrayan opposition parties, civil society organizations and political figures formed earlier this year in Addis Ababa. The council has positioned itself in favor of closer engagement with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal government and has declared it will work to remove the TPLF leadership that continues to control much of Tigray’s regional administration.

Protesters called for the full implementation of the agreement, an end to forced military conscription in the Tigray region, withdrawal of the TPLF introduced proclamation. Protesters also urged the Federal government should to its role to protect and safeguard the people of Tigray.

Organizers said the protest was intended to draw attention to what it described as a worsening crisis in the region. They said residents faced severe economic hardship while warning that Tigray was at risk of another war amid growing reports that young people were being forcibly recruited into military service.

The protest comes amid growing reports from residents, activists and rights groups that young people in Tigray have been forcibly recruited into military service.

The demonstration was met with strong opposition from Tigray’s regional administration and the TPLF, who accused organizers of advancing an agenda they said was aimed at weakening Tigray.

In a statement issued ahead of the protest, the Tigray regional administration said the demonstration was intended to oppose the restoration of Tigray’s territorial integrity, block humanitarian assistance and financial access, and support “the genocide” against the people of Tigray. It urged organizers and participants to withdraw from the event and called on Tigrayans worldwide to reject it.

The Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau separately accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government of orchestrating the protest through Tigrinya-speaking supporters to undermine what it described as Tigray’s national interests and political struggle. It also alleged that the federal government was preparing another military offensive against Tigray through troop deployments and drone strikes.

The federal government has not publicly responded to those accusations.

The Tigray’s People’s Liberation Front spokesman, Michaele Asgedom also denounced the protest, alleging it was designed to pave the way for what he described as an open war against Tigray. Speaking to journalists in Mekelle, before the rally, Michael said the event was organized, financed and mobilized by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.

He said its objectives included misleading the international community, deepening divisions among Tigrayans, preventing internally displaced people from returning home, blocking the return of disputed territories and laying the groundwork for renewed military action against Tigray. Michaele urged Tigrayans living in Addis Ababa to boycott the protest and called on the international community to closely examine what he described as its true objectives.

The demonstration and the sharply opposing reactions it provoked, is the latest flashpoint in a political rift inside Tigray that has widened steadily since the November 2022 Pretoria agreement ended two years of war between the TPLF and the Ethiopian government and its allies