Ethiopia revokes legal status of Tigray party over registration violations

By Sadik Kedir Abdu

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) — Ethiopia's electoral authority revoked the Tigray People's Liberation Front's (TPLF) legal status on Wednesday, saying the party failed to meet the requirements for provisional registration following a return to politics under a 2025 legal amendment.

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said in a statement that the decision took effect May 5, after the TPLF missed a three-month deadline to implement corrective measures issued in February.

The party failed to meet conditions under a special registration framework that allows groups with a history of armed conflict to operate legally, it added.

The TPLF, once a dominant force in Ethiopian politics, was removed from the terrorist list and granted provisional status in August 2024 under changes to the country’s electoral law.

The revised law, passed by parliament earlier this year, permits parties previously accused of operating illegally or violently to re-register under specific conditions.

Under the rules, the TPLF was required to hold a general assembly within six months and notify the board at least 21 days in advance. The board said the party did not comply.

However, in mid-February, the TPLF rejected the framework and reiterated its position on May 5, saying it never accepted the provisional status and instead considers its legal status restored under a 2022 peace agreement signed in Pretoria with the federal government.

That deal ended a two-year war in northern Ethiopia. The board dismissed that argument, saying the peace agreement does not override electoral law.

The party, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, has also faced internal disputes.

​​​​​​​It recently banned several senior members, including Getachew Reda, who led the federally appointed interim administration in Tigray after the war.

The TPLF had not issued a formal response as of Wednesday.