The National Election Board of Ethiopia has suspended the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for three months due to violations of internal governance laws. The party’s failure to conduct internal elections amid factional disputes raises concerns of instability in the Tigray region following a recent peace agreement. Analysts fear the divide could cause renewed violence in already conflict-prone areas of Ethiopia.
On February 13, Ethiopia’s National Election Board announced a three-month suspension of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), citing violations of laws related to the party’s internal structure. The TPLF, which oversees the administration in the war-affected Tigray region, failed to organize a general assembly, hold internal elections, or ratify its bylaws due to an ongoing split within the party, with two factions competing for control.
This suspension is significant as the TPLF manages Tigray’s interim administration, established following a peace agreement in 2023 that concluded a brutal two-year conflict between Tigrayan forces and the Ethiopian federal government. The February announcement by the election board highlights concerns regarding the party’s growing internal strife, which threatens the fragile peace in the region.
Tensions have escalated over the implementation of the peace deal, contributing to division within the TPLF. Analysts warn that this increased fracturing could lead to renewed violence and further instability in Ethiopia, a nation already struggling with conflicts in the Amhara and Oromiya regions. Despite requests for comment, representatives from both TPLF factions declined to respond.
In summary, the National Election Board’s suspension of the TPLF underscores the party’s failure to comply with internal governance laws amid a split into conflicting factions. Given the TPLF’s crucial role in managing Tigray’s administration post-conflict, this situation amplifies concerns of potential renewed violence and instability in Ethiopia amid existing regional conflicts.
Original Source: www.genocidewatch.com
