By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Addis Ababa (Dawan Africa) — The Tigray People’s Liberation Front, TPLF, has denied seeking military support from Eritrea and Sudan, saying it has never asked foreign countries to fight on its behalf and relies on its own capabilities.
The statement came in response to an allegation by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that the TPLF had formed an alliance with the two countries against the Ethiopian government.
TPLF spokesperson Mikiele Asgedom said the organization had not requested military assistance from any external actor or asked another country to fight on its behalf. He maintained that TPLF relies on its own strength, while accusing the federal government of using foreign forces during the war in northern Ethiopia.
“We rely on ourselves. We do not invite anyone to fight on our behalf. We believe in our own strength,” Mikiele said.
Abiy Ahmed recently told the Ethiopian parliament that the TPLF, Eritrea and Sudan were cooperating in a plan against Ethiopia. The prime minister said the alleged relationship resembled the alliance of armed groups that contributed to the overthrow of the Derg regime in 1991.
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Abiy used what he described as “axe politics,” comparing the TPLF to the iron head of an axe and Eritrea to its wooden handle. He also claimed that external actors were directing the parties, although he did not identify them.
The TPLF also rejected Abiy’s claim that it signed the Pretoria Agreement after suffering a military defeat. Mikiele said both sides entered negotiations because neither had been able to achieve a decisive military victory.
He said the Pretoria Agreement represented a mutual decision to end the war rather than a surrender or military defeat by the TPLF.
The Ethiopian government and the TPLF signed the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022, ending the two-year war in northern Ethiopia. The agreement called for a permanent cessation of hostilities, disarmament, the restoration of essential services and improved access for humanitarian assistance.
However, the TPLF has accused the federal government of failing to implement key provisions of the agreement, including the return of displaced people, the resolution of disputed territories and the withdrawal of Eritrean forces, which it says remain present in parts of Tigray.