The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Pretoria Agreement, emphasizing mutual recognition as the key to lasting peace.

The TPLF and the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia signed a permanent ceasefire agreement in Pretoria, South Africa, on 2 November 2022—two years and six months ago—granting mutual political and legal recognition, the TPLF announced in a statement issued on May 10, 2025, regarding its legal status.

The TPLF stated that the Pretoria Agreement serves as a framework enabling both parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation, thereby abandoning wartime measures. According to the statement, mutual recognition and respect for each other’s existence are fundamental principles ensuring the agreement’s validity.

In its statement, the TPLF emphasized: “We, the two signatories, are expected to refrain from direct or indirect actions aimed at undermining each other. Our commitment under the agreement is to ensure lasting peace through civilized political dialogue based on tolerance.”

The TPLF further stated that following the ceasefire deal, Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives lifted its terrorist designation. However, the TPLF criticized the Ethiopian National Electoral Board, asserting that it continues to undermine trust in the Pretoria Agreement while using legal procedures as a pretext to justify its refusal to formally recognize the accord.

The TPLF also noted that under the terms of the agreement, it has automatic political recognition, stating: “The TPLF continues to engage in political and organizational activities, conducting discussions with the federal government and senior leaders of the Prosperity Party regarding the agreement’s implementation. Additionally, we are engaging directly with ambassadors in Addis Ababa and international, continental, and regional organizations that contributed to the agreement’s signing.”

Regarding efforts to regain its legal recognition certificate, the TPLF disclosed that prior to the 14th General Assembly, it had engaged in discussions with the Electoral Board and the Federal Government but was informed: “There is no existing law addressing our request.”

The TPLF further stated: “The proclamation issued afterward does not allow for the restoration of legal recognition for previously deregistered political parties. Instead, it applies only to newly registered parties. We publicly rejected this, as it does not address the specific legal status of the TPLF.” Despite this, the organization, which had been unable to hold a conference for six years due to the war in Tigray, convened its 14th Regular Conference in July 2024 in accordance with the party’s framework.

In its statement, the TPLF underscored that the Pretoria Agreement remains the binding legal document between the organization and the Ethiopian government. “The issue of reinstating our legal recognition is ultimately a political decision.

Manipulating the political parties’ registration law as a façade in the absence of a prohibiting law only complicates matters,” it stated.

The statement concluded with a call for action: “If the Federal Government’s Electoral Board abandons political maneuvers disguised as registration laws and restores our existing legal recognition certificate, it would pave the way for full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement—benefiting all stakeholders.”