On June 22, 2025, Debretsion Gebremichael, chairperson of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), spoke in Hawzen about peace and renewed ties with Eritrea, while lamenting delays in implementing the Pretoria Peace Agreement and calling for international intervention.

The pain experienced by the people of Tigray is profound and undeniable, and their call for justice must be heard with respect. Yet, the obstacles to peace are not only external. Within the TPLF, a powerful faction often referred to as the “shadow Adwa empire” wields significant influence, shaping the party’s direction in ways that have complicated reconciliation efforts. Debretsion is widely seen as a key figure within this faction, acting less as an independent leader and more as a tool advancing entrenched interests that resist compromise.

This internal power dynamic has contributed to persistent factionalism within Tigray’s political landscape, hindering the establishment of a unified interim administration and obstructing disarmament and reconciliation initiatives critical to the Pretoria Agreement’s success.

At the same time, Eritrea’s involvement in the conflict has deepened wounds and prolonged instability. Eritrean forces’ presence and alliances in the region have further complicated efforts to build trust and peace. Both Debretsion’s faction and Eritrean authorities bear responsibility for actions that have inflamed tensions and made resolution more difficult.

Calls for justice and accountability must be balanced and inclusive, recognizing the suffering of all communities affected by the conflict. Without a willingness from leaders—both within the TPLF and in Eritrea—to confront uncomfortable truths and relinquish divisive power structures, sustainable peace will remain elusive.

As Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, president of the Tigray Interim Administration, has emphasized, “Our primary choice is peace.” Realizing this requires leaders to move beyond entrenched political games and commit genuinely to transparency, unity, and reconciliation.

The road ahead demands courage from all parties, including those within the “shadow Adwa empire,” to break cycles of mistrust and violence. Only through such honest reflection and cooperation can Ethiopia hope to heal and build a shared future for all its peoples.

By Samiya Mohammed,Researcher,Horn Review