Some progress in Ethiopia diplomacy – Tigray leader

Will Ross

The leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Ethiopia, which has been at war with government forces for over a year, says shuttle diplomacy has led to some progress.

In a rare interview Debretsion Gebremichael told the BBC that indirect talks with the government had been taking place.

The war has led to the displacement of millions of people and the UN says nearly 40% of people in Tigray are suffering from an extreme lack of food.

Mr Debretsion suggested that the shuttle diplomacy was having an impact and said there had been signs of improvement after indirect talks with the Ethiopian government.

The TPLF chairman told the BBC he wanted a peaceful resolution but added that if necessary they would fight on to protect the rights of the Tigrayans.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has shown signs that he may be considering an alternative to military action.

He has freed prisoners and no longer seeing the TPLF as a threat to his power he has lifted a state of emergency.

But what complicates the road to peace are land claims by the Amhara and the desire of Eritrean president, Isaias Afwerki, to crush the TPLF.

It is not a simple two-way negotiation.

Source: BBC

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