Official Statement from the Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau

​The statement issued by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) regarding the constitutional territories of Tigray lacks legality.

​Based on the decision passed today, February 23, 2026 , by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia regarding five electoral constituencies in Tigray, the position of the Interim Administration of Tigray is as follows:

​1. The Territorial Integrity of Tigray is Non-Negotiable

​The five woredas (districts) mentioned in the Electoral Board’s statement are historical and constitutional territories of Tigray that are currently under occupation; they are not outside of Tigray’s jurisdiction.
​It is a fact well-known to both the international community and the Federal Government that Tigrayan land has been held by occupying forces from the time of the genocidal war until now. Therefore, presenting land under occupation as “disputed” is unacceptable.
​As the saying goes, “trying to chew sand that isn’t your parched grain” (an exercise in futility), attempting to conduct an election while displaced people are languishing in tents and other dire conditions has no meaning other than an attempt to prolong power.

​2. Violation of the Pretoria Agreement

​The Pretoria Agreement explicitly mandates that the territorial integrity—referring to areas that were under Tigray’s administration prior to the genocidal war and are currently occupied—must be restored to the Interim Administration of Tigray. Today’s statement serves no purpose other than providing a legal cover for the occupation.

​3. The Issue of Displaced Persons and Elections

​Tigrayans belonging to the aforementioned districts are currently displaced from their homes, living in suffering and misery within IDP camps. Any election conducted before these citizens are returned to their homes with dignity and security is absolutely unacceptable.
​Priority must be given to the safety and return of the displaced; making decisions about their land while they remain in exile is a crime.

​4. Distortion of the Constitutional Order

​While the displaced are in agony and Tigrayan land is occupied by settlers, conducting an election in the absence of the rightful owners is divorced from reality and violates the constitutional order.
​The statement issued by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia is unconstitutional, anti-Pretoria Agreement, carves up the territorial integrity of Tigray like “partitioned meat,” and incites conflict.
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This statement is part of a long-brewing conspiracy that violates the sovereignty of the people and barters away the dignity and identity of the people of Tigray.

Call to Action:

​Regardless of any internal or external political differences, the Interim Administration of Tigray calls upon all Tigrayans to rise with one voice and one spirit to oppose this unjust decision and to strengthen unity to respect the sovereignty of Tigray.
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Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau
February 23, 2026
Mekelle