Ethiopian lawmakers remove Tigray group from terror list

Ethiopian lawmakers recently voted to remove the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from the country’s list of designated terrorist organizations. This decision marks a significant step toward healing and rebuilding after the devastating two-year conflict between TPLF forces and the Ethiopian federal government. The TPLF was originally designated as a terrorist organization in May 2021, shortly before the conflict escalated into full-scale civil war.

The vote comes several months after the signing of a peace agreement in November 2022, which was brokered by the African Union. This agreement helped end the conflict that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions. As part of the peace deal, Tigrayan forces handed over their heavy weapons, and in return, the federal government restored essential services like communications and banking to the Tigray region.

Of the 547 Ethiopian lawmakers, the majority voted in favor of removing the TPLF from the terror list, with only 61 members opposing the move and five abstaining. This decision is seen as a key step in solidifying the peace process and paving the way for the establishment of an interim government in Tigray. The removal of the terrorist label also comes amid ongoing efforts to address war crimes committed by all sides during the conflict【6†source】【7†source】.

This move symbolizes improving relations between Ethiopia’s central government and Tigrayan leaders, signaling hope for a more stable and peaceful future for the nation.