The president of Tigray’s interim administration said his administration is committed to pursuing peace with Ethiopia’s federal government but will also remain prepared for possible worse case scenarios. In an interview with Dimtsi Weyane TV on the occasion of the new year, Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, President of the Interim Adminstration said his administration goal in the new year is to prioritize dialogue and negotiation with the Federal government and other stakeholders. But he added that Tigray will “prepare for the worst case scenario,”
“Preparing for the worst case scenario doesn’t mean we intend to create it,” he said. “On our part we will push for all peaceful means.”
The Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022, was meant to end a two-year war that left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. But implementation has been slow. While active fighting in many parts of Tigray has been halted the key promises of the agreement including political dialogue to address underlying issues, the withdrawal of Eritrean & non-ENDF troops and the return of displaced people are not yet fully fulfilled, and distrust between Mekelle and Addis Ababa is increasing.
Tadesse said delays in the implementation of the agreement are partly due to Tigray’s weakened bargaining position. He also highlighted what he described as a growing distance in engagement with the federal government. Tadesse pointed to what he described as “signs of distancing” in the federal government’s engagement, warning that reduced dialogue is fuelling distrust.
His remarks reflects the lingering uncertainty and mismanagement surrounding the Pretoria agreement that has struggled to gain momentum nearly three years since it was signed.