ANU Response to the Statement Issued by the TPLF
For peace, truth, accountability, and the protection of all peoples of the Horn of Africa
The Agaezi National Union (ANU) expresses grave concern over the renewed escalation of armed conflict in northern Ethiopia and rejects any political narrative that seeks to present another cycle of violence as the inevitable solution to Ethiopia’s political and historical disputes.
The people of Tigray have suffered enormously. So have Amhara, Afar, Oromo, Eritrean, and other communities affected by the wider conflict. No Ethiopian community should again be asked to sacrifice its children for political objectives.
Recent reporting confirms that fighting has again intensified in Tigray and neighbouring Afar, while drone strikes and military mobilization have increased. The African Union and United Nations have called on the parties to exercise restraint and implement the 2022 Pretoria Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. ([euronews][1])
1. Genocide is a grave legal accusation—not a political slogan
The repeated characterization of the Ethiopian federal government as a “genocidal regime” requires a much higher evidentiary and legal standard than political assertion.
ANU therefore calls for independent, impartial investigation of alleged atrocities committed by every party, rather than assigning collective criminal responsibility to an entire government, ethnic community, or population.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights established an investigation into the Tigray conflict and subsequently called for accountability, truth-seeking, reparations and reconciliation through transitional justice mechanisms. It also urged both the Ethiopian government and TPLF to respect and implement the Pretoria Agreement. ([African Commission on Human Rights][2])
Justice must be universal. Victims must not be divided into politically convenient categories.
2. The Pretoria Agreement remains the central framework for ending the war
The November 2022 Pretoria Agreement was signed by the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF to establish a permanent cessation of hostilities, disarm combatants, restore essential services, facilitate humanitarian access and establish mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation. ([Pan-African Parliament][3])
The African Union continues to describe the agreement as a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and, as recently as January 2026, called upon the parties to preserve its gains and resolve outstanding issues through dialogue. ([African Union][4])
Consequently, renewed military mobilization cannot simply be presented as a legitimate continuation of the peace process.
If the agreement has shortcomings, those shortcomings should be addressed through its political and mediation mechanisms—not through another war.
3. Civilian suffering must never become a political instrument
There are credible and serious reports of civilian casualties from recent drone strikes in Tigray. Some specific claims remain independently unverified, while conflict monitors have documented multiple drone strikes and reported civilian casualties. ([Arab News][5])
ANU therefore calls for:
- protection of civilians;
- unrestricted humanitarian access;
- independent investigation of attacks affecting civilians;
- accountability for unlawful attacks regardless of the perpetrator;
- protection of hospitals, schools, religious institutions and humanitarian transport; and
- an immediate reduction in military escalation.
At the same time, the existence of civilian suffering does not automatically establish the legal elements of genocide, and allegations should not be transformed into established facts before credible investigation.
4. The TPLF cannot claim to speak for all the people of Tigray
ANU rejects the proposition that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) can legitimately claim to represent all Tigrayans or speak on behalf of the entire people of Tigray.
Tigray is home to diverse political views, civil society organizations, religious communities, professionals, youth, women, displaced persons, traditional institutions and citizens with differing views about the region’s political future.
No political organization should equate its own political program with the collective will of an entire people.
ANU believes that the people of Tigray have the right to choose their political representatives through lawful, peaceful and democratic processes. Their political identity and legitimate interests should not be monopolized by an armed or historically dominant organization.
5. The TPLF’s legal political status has been revoked
ANU also emphasizes an important legal and institutional fact.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) revoked the TPLF’s legal status as a political party in May 2025 after the party failed to meet conditions attached to its registration under the revised political-party framework. The Board had previously granted the TPLF registration under “special considerations” in August 2024, but subsequently suspended the party and ultimately revoked its registration after determining that required corrective measures had not been fulfilled. ([NEBE/Ethiopian authorities][6])
Accordingly, ANU does not recognize the TPLF as presently possessing the legal status of a registered political party under Ethiopia’s electoral framework.
This issue should be resolved through the country’s constitutional and legal institutions rather than through armed mobilization.
ANU further stresses that the revocation of a party’s legal status does not remove the political rights of Tigrayans. Tigrayans must retain the right to organize, participate in politics, form lawful political organizations and determine their representatives through peaceful and democratic means.
6. The TPLF also has responsibilities for alleged war crimes and abuses
A serious response to the current crisis cannot discuss alleged abuses by only one side.
Independent investigations have documented serious violations by multiple parties to the Tigray conflict. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN human-rights investigation found that Tigrayan forces, as well as federal, Eritrean and regional forces, were implicated in violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including acts that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. ([EHRC][7])
The UN Commission specifically reported reasonable grounds to believe that Tigrayan forces committed serious human-rights abuses, including large-scale killings of Amhara civilians, rape and sexual violence, and widespread looting and destruction of civilian property in Kobo and Chenna. ([United Nations][8])
ANU therefore believes that accountability cannot be selective.
Where credible evidence establishes individual responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, unlawful killings, sexual violence, forced displacement, pillage, looting or other serious violations, those responsible must face appropriate legal processes.
No political organization, military formation or government should be above the law.
7. Humanitarian assistance must never be looted, diverted or used as a weapon
ANU is particularly concerned about allegations concerning the obstruction, diversion or looting of humanitarian resources during the conflict.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission documented large-scale destruction and appropriation of property by multiple parties and reported that looting of health centres deprived civilians of access to healthcare.
The UN Commission of Experts also documented widespread looting and destruction in Tigray during the conflict, involving different armed actors.
ANU therefore calls for independent investigation of all allegations involving humanitarian assistance, including any diversion, seizure, obstruction or misuse of food, medicine, funds or other relief intended for civilians.
Humanitarian assistance belongs to civilians in need. It must never become a source of political financing, military support or personal enrichment.
Those found responsible should be held accountable through appropriate legal mechanisms.
8. The forced recruitment of youth must end
ANU strongly condemns the reported continuation of forced recruitment and military mobilization of young people in Tigray.
Human Rights Watch reported in July 2026 that Tigrayan authorities and forces had forcibly recruited civilians, including children as young as 15, and documented six cases based on interviews with witnesses, relatives and people who had escaped or evaded recruitment. Human Rights Watch called for an immediate end to the campaign and the release of those unlawfully recruited. ([Human Rights Watch][9])
ANU rejects any attempt to compel Tigrayan youth to enter another armed struggle.
The youth of Tigray deserve schools, universities, employment, entrepreneurship and opportunities to build their future—not forced military service and another generation of war.
No political cause can justify forcing young people into armed conflict against their will.
9. Tigray’s future cannot be secured through permanent militarization
The press release calls upon the population to stand behind the military.
ANU instead calls upon the people of Tigray—and all peoples of Ethiopia—to stand behind peace, civilian life, education, reconstruction, constitutional dialogue and accountable institutions.
The people of Tigray should not have to choose between political submission and another generation of war.
Their legitimate concerns regarding security, territory, displacement, political representation and justice deserve serious negotiation.
But these questions cannot be permanently resolved by artillery, drones or mobilization.
10. Continued militarization creates risks beyond Tigray
ANU is also concerned that continued armed mobilization in Tigray has consequences beyond the region.
The current political and military escalation risks drawing neighbouring regions and countries into another wider confrontation. Recent reporting indicates that the TPLF has joined an alliance of Ethiopian armed groups advocating political and potentially military action against the federal government.
ANU therefore calls on all political and military actors to prevent Tigray from once again becoming the starting point for a wider regional war.
Political disputes between Ethiopian actors should not be exported into neighbouring regions or transformed into a broader conflict involving the peoples of the Horn of Africa.
11. Accountability, justice and fair redress are necessary for sustainable peace and development
ANU believes that sustainable peace cannot be built on impunity.
Accountability must apply to all parties and all individuals responsible for serious violations, regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, military rank or government position.
Justice should include, where appropriate:
- credible and independent investigations;
- prosecution of individuals responsible for serious international crimes;
- reparations and assistance for victims;
- recovery of unlawfully taken property and resources where legally possible;
- accountability for diversion or looting of humanitarian assistance;
- truth-seeking and documentation;
- protection of witnesses and survivors; and
- meaningful reconciliation based on truth rather than denial.
Fair redress is not an obstacle to peace. For communities that have experienced killings, displacement, sexual violence, destruction and deprivation, accountability is an important component of sustainable peace and development.
At the same time, justice must not become collective punishment. Individuals must be held responsible for their own conduct, rather than entire ethnic or political communities being blamed.
12. Ethiopia’s historical communities must not become enemies
ANU approaches the crisis from a broader Horn of Africa perspective.
The peoples of the Horn share centuries of interconnected history, languages, trade, religious traditions, cultural exchange and historical relationships extending across today’s political boundaries.
Our common history should not be weaponized to create permanent ethnic enemies.
Tigrayan identity has a legitimate place. Amhara identity has a legitimate place. Oromo identity has a legitimate place. Afar, Eritrean and all other identities have a legitimate place.
The future of the Horn cannot be built by eliminating one community’s security in order to establish another’s.
ANU’s Call
ANU calls upon:
The Federal Government of Ethiopia — to protect civilians, comply with international humanitarian law, permit independent investigation of alleged abuses, and pursue political dialogue.
Tigrayan political and military leadership — to renounce renewed escalation, respect the Pretoria framework, end forced recruitment, protect civilians and pursue outstanding political questions through peaceful and lawful dialogue.
The African Union — to intensify its mediation and monitoring role and prevent the collapse of the Pretoria process. The AU has explicitly reaffirmed its readiness to facilitate dialogue and confidence-building. ([African Union][4])
The National Election Board of Ethiopia and relevant constitutional institutions — to administer political-party law transparently and consistently and to ensure that Tigrayans and all Ethiopian citizens retain lawful opportunities for political participation.
The international community — to support humanitarian access, independent accountability and peaceful political mechanisms rather than encouraging another cycle of proxy warfare.
All Ethiopian political and armed movements — to reject the use of civilians and young people as instruments of political struggle and to pursue political objectives through peaceful and constitutional means.
ANU’s Fundamental Principle
No political objective is worth another generation of Ethiopian children dying in war.
No community’s suffering should be denied.
No government’s abuses should be excused.
No armed movement should be above accountability.
No political organization should claim to represent an entire ethnic community without the freely expressed consent of that community.
No humanitarian resource intended for civilians should be diverted, looted or used for political or military purposes.
No ethnic community should be collectively blamed for the actions of political or military leaders.
And no peace agreement should be abandoned before every available avenue for peaceful implementation has been exhausted.
ANU believes that the future of Tigray, Ethiopia, Eritrea and the wider Horn of Africa must ultimately be determined through dialogue, constitutional and political processes, protection of civilians, justice, reconciliation and accountable governance—not through another cycle of war.
From ANU:
Our shared history must become a bridge—not a weapon.
Our heritage must become a source of dignity—not division.
Our children must inherit schools and institutions—not battlefields.
Our humanitarian resources must reach the people for whom they are intended.
Accountability must serve justice—not revenge.
Our future must be built through dialogue—not destruction.
Peace for Tigray.
Peace for Ethiopia.
Peace for Eritrea.
Peace for the Horn of Africa.
Agaezi National Union (ANU)
Sources
[1] Euronews — Tigray rebels seize airport and clash with federal forces as fighting in Ethiopia reignites
[2] African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights — Resolution on the termination of the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on the Situation in the Tigray Region
[3] Pan-African Parliament — PAP adopts Motion congratulating Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Tigray People’s Liberation Front on signing the peace talk
[4] African Union — Chairperson of the African Union Commission calls for maximum restraint in Tigray region, Ethiopia
[5] Arab News — Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels accuse govt of new drone strike
[6] National Election Board of Ethiopia — TPLF registration and revocation decisions
[7] Ethiopian Human Rights Commission — Human Rights Monitoring Report on Tigray
[8] United Nations / International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia — findings concerning violations committed by parties to the Tigray conflict
[9] Human Rights Watch — Ethiopia: Tigray Authorities Forcibly Recruiting Civilians