Addressing a gathering at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Getachew Reda, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on East African Affairs, underscored that a lasting solution and sustainable peace for the Tigray region can only be achieved through calm, constructive dialogue rather than war.
Getachew stated that the illegal TPLF faction has severely hindered Tigray's development, effectively acting as an enemy to its own people, and urged the public to firmly say no to their actions.
The advisor raised grave concerns regarding the reality on the ground, noting that mothers are seeing their underage children forcibly snatched and conscripted by the faction, and emphasized that the fundamental desire of the Tigrayan people is peace, rooted in their firm conviction that Ethiopia is their country.
His remarks came during a large-scale peaceful demonstration held to condemn the ongoing oppression, arbitrary detentions, and abuses committed by the faction. Participants at the rally voiced strong opposition to the group, demanding the immediate lifting of oppressive decrees, the full implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, and an immediate end to the trafficking and exploitation of local youth to Sudan.
Furthermore, Getachew called upon the federal government to actively fulfill its primary responsibility of protecting innocent citizens in Tigray from ongoing threats. He highly commended the federal government's remarkable patience, wisdom, and restraint in avoiding unnecessary escalations and conflicts so far, urging that this positive, peaceful approach continue into the future. He also stressed the importance of collective efforts to ensure that Tigray fully reintegrates as an active, vital member of the federation, thereby strengthening its socioeconomic and political bonds with all other regions of the country.
Concluding his remarks, the advisor urged all external entities backing the destructive faction, which continues to try and beat the drums of war to immediately cease their support. He called upon the Ethiopian diaspora to actively work toward shortening the lifespan of this oppressive group so that the region can return to normalcy as quickly as possible.
Finally, Getachew issued a direct call to the regional security forces within Tigray and the entire local population to demonstrate practical resistance against this destructive element, break the endless cycle of conflict, and prioritize peaceful alternatives and shared development.
