Urgent Call for President Trump to Prioritize Security, Stability, and Prevent the Flare-Up of War in the Horn of Africa through the Implementation of COHA

Dear President Trump,

The Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS), a non-partisan and not-for-profit global knowledge network of Tigrayan scholars and professionals worldwide, extends its heartfelt congratulations on your election as the 47th President of the United States of America. We wish you every success in your second term and trust that your administration will continue to support stability and justice for the global community.

Dear Mr. President,

We are writing to you to employ your historical re-election to bring your attention to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) and the Nairobi Executive Declaration between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the authorities of the Tigray region of Ethiopia to its swift and full implementation; and a peaceful conclusion using all tools at your disposal, and extending all the necessary support. At this critical time, this is of utmost importance not only to address the ongoing humanitarian emergency crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia but also to ensure the peace and stability of the Tigray region, Ethiopia, and to address the broader security challenges engulfing the Horn of Africa.

GSTS recognizes and appreciates the positive steps taken to silence the guns as the the result of CoHA; and the efforts made to build trust and further consolidate the peace process. Despite these confidence-building steps, however, the core elements of the CoHA that are crucial to the safety, security, stability, restoration of constitutional order, and rehabilitation of the victims of the genocidal war remain unmet.

Most crucially, millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and over seventy-five thousand refugees evicted violently from their indigenous areas continue to languish in makeshift camps and schools, facing catastrophic deprivation. Moreover, over 40% of Tigray’s territories remain illegally occupied by non-Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF), including Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) and Amhara forces in contravention of the provisions of the CoHA, the Nairobi Declaration and the Ethiopia’s constitution.

With this context, we respectfully urge Your Excellency to put the Tigray situation, Ethiopia, and the Horn of Africa at large as your administration’s immediate priority, and therefore, exert all diplomatic pressure and utilize every instrument at your disposal to:

1. Enforce the unconditional, immediate, full, and time-bound withdrawal of all non-ENDF (Amhara and Eritrean) forces from the constitutionally recognized territories of Tigray, and thus restore Tigray’s territorial and administrative integrity to the pre-November 3, 2020, status quo ante;

2. Exert all the necessary pressure and provide support for the swift expedition of the dignified and voluntary return, resettlement, rehabilitation, and recovery of millions of Tigrayan IDPs and refugees to their homes, land, and properties with appropriate aid and reparation; with safety and security guarantee from Tigray regional security forces under the Tigray Interim Administration (TIA);

3. Take impactful measures against destabilizing forces in the Horn of Africa, including the Eritrean government, which along Al Shbab continues to destabilize the region and align with entities that are against U.S. strategic interests and values; and

4. Provide comprehensive support to the Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) to effectively execute its mandates and responsibilities including restoring basic services and infrastructures; ensuring peace, safety, and security; upholding the rule of law in the region; and implementing Tigray’s post-war recovery and reconstruction endeavors including people-centered reform and transformation packages.

We trust that Your Excellency will give these urgent matters the attention and priority they deserve. In this regard, the GSTS reiterates its commitment to collaborate with Your Excellency’s administration and thus support the peace process initiated through the COHA and the Nairobi Executive Declarations.

The Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS)