Ethiopia’s electoral commission has suspended the TPLF for failing to elect new leadership as mandated by a 2024 political agreement. This suspension prohibits the party from political activities for three months, with a risk of permanent registration loss. Internally, the TPLF is grappling with divisions that could lead to further violence, according to recent warnings from conflict-monitoring organizations.
Ethiopia’s electoral commission has announced the suspension of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), citing the party’s failure to comply with a political agreement established after the two-year Tigray conflict. Following the end of hostilities, the TPLF regained its legal status but was mandated to elect new leadership by February 10, 2024, according to a 2024 agreement.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia reported on X that the TPLF had not met this requirement, indicating a “clear violation” of the accord. As a result, the party has been prohibited from participating in political activities for three months. The board warned that permanent revocation of the TPLF’s registration will occur if issues remain uncorrected during this timeframe.
The TPLF was the ruling party in Ethiopia for almost 30 years until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018, creating tensions that contributed to a war from 2020 to 2022. This conflict resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths following a struggle between government forces and Tigrayan fighters.
Post-war, the TPLF has seen increased internal divisions, particularly between Getachew Reda, appointed by the government to lead a transitional administration, and former party leader Debretsion Gebremichael. Recent warnings from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) suggest that these tensions could escalate into further violence in the region.
The suspension of the TPLF by Ethiopia’s electoral commission underscores the ongoing political challenges following the Tigray war. With a three-month window to rectify their leadership issues, failure to comply could lead to permanent registration loss. Internal divisions within the TPLF add to the possibility of renewed instability in the region, warranting close monitoring of future developments.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
