Statement on Rising Tensions Between Ethiopia and the TPLF: A Call for Lasting Peace

Statement on Rising Tensions Between Ethiopia and the TPLF: A Call for Lasting Peace

Statement
Tuesday, 4 August 2026 – The Europe  Peace Foundation (EPF) expresses its profound concern over the recent escalation of political and security tensions between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Reports from local and international media indicate that relations between Addis Ababa and Mekelle have continued to deteriorate in recent weeks, raising concerns about military mobilization and the possibility of renewed armed confrontation, including near the Ethiopia–Sudan border.

The people of Tigray have only recently begun recovering from the devastating consequences of the armed conflict that erupted in November 2020 and formally ended with the signing of the Pretoria Agreement—officially known as the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities—on 2 November 2022. The conflict caused countless deaths, displaced millions of civilians, destroyed critical infrastructure and created one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa.

The Pretoria Agreement offered Ethiopia a historic opportunity to end hostilities, rebuild trust and embark on a path towards national reconciliation and sustainable peace. However, recent disagreements concerning its implementation—including tensions involving the Tigray Interim Regional Administration and the TPLF, as well as growing mistrust between Mekelle and Addis Ababa—risk undermining the significant progress achieved in recent years.

We firmly believe that there can be no military solution to political disagreements. Any return to armed conflict would reverse the hard-earned peace, deepen humanitarian suffering, destabilize the Horn of Africa and undermine Ethiopia’s efforts towards national recovery, economic development and democratic transformation.

The people of Ethiopia deserve lasting peace, security, justice and sustainable development. We therefore call upon the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from any action that could escalate tensions and recommit themselves to the full implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

Under the Global Peace 2030 initiative, we urge both parties to resolve their differences through peaceful, inclusive and constructive dialogue, placing the interests, safety and well-being of the Ethiopian people above all political and military considerations.

Europe  Peace Foundation
Global Peace 2030