Pretoria Peace Accord helped restore infrastructure, provide services Tigray region

Addis Ababa, March 20, 2025 (FMC) – The Pretoria Agreement has helped restore infrastructure and provide services to the people of Tigray, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told the parliament this morning.

The Prime Minister has attended the parliament’s regular session this morning and provided highlights of the government’s performance reports for the past 8 months.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister also responded to queries from parliamentarians on political, economic, social and other matters.

Speaking on the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement signed between TPLF and the Federal government that ceased the two year conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia, Abiy acknowledged that the process saw strengths and some gaps.

Commending the significance of the Accord in restoring infrastructures and services in the Tigray region, the PM said there are still issues that have not been adequately addressed, and one of which is the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process.

“This primarily affects the people of Tigray,” the Premier said, reminding that the youth should be redirected from militarisation and engaged in development instead. “Billions of dollars that should be spent on development each month are being diverted to this work.”

According to Abiy, significant progress has been made in Raya and Tselemet areas in returning displaced people to their villages, but in other areas, the results have been less successful. “This is largely due to the mixing of humanitarian efforts with politics.”

Nevertheless, the Tigray Region Interim Administration has done an excellent job in preventing further conflict over the past two years, PM Abiy said. “As the two-year term of the interim administration has now expired, there is a need for legal reform.”

“Once the law is amended, a review of past performance will be necessary. After making adjustments in line with the Pretoria Agreement, the interim administration will be able to carry out its responsibilities and prepare the people for upcoming elections,” he pointed out.

He revealed that discussions are ongoing with the leaders of the interim administration and other stakeholders on this matter. During this process, tasks will be evaluated, and changes to individuals may occur.

In his remarks on internal peace and security matters, PM Abiy reiterated his government’s unwavering stance to engage in peaceful dialogues to resolve differences with armed groups.

Speaking on his government’s pursuit of gaining access to the sea, Prime Minister Abiy stated that his country has no intention of going to conflict with Eritrea over the Red Sea port access.

“Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea. Our desire is to engage in dialogue and discussion on this matter instead. Access to the Red Sea is nevertheless an existential matter for Ethiopia. What we want is to peacefully address our current challenges.”