Africa-Press – Ethiopia. December 12, 2025 3 minutes read Addis Abeba – Six opposition parties in Tigray have rejected the ongoing National Dialogue Conference, describing the process as illegitimate and excluding key political actors. In a joint statement issued on Friday, the parties said the forum lacks credibility and fails to provide the foundations needed for meaningful negotiations.
The statement was signed by the Tigray Independence Party (TIP), Salsay Woyane Tigray, the National Congress for Greater Tigray (Baitona), Tigrai Generation Party, Arena Tigray, and Tinsa’e Sebia Enderta Party. The parties said the conference—established under Regulation No. 29/2 by what they described as a body “claiming to be the Interim Administration of Tigray”—is dominated by a single armed group and was launched without clarifying its mandate, purpose, powers, membership, or inclusivity. They argued that the forum does not have the consent of all political forces in the region.
While reaffirming that dialogue and consensus are essential to resolving Tigray’s political crisis, the parties said repeated attempts to engage with members of the current conference produced no shared understanding. They claimed the process stalled because those leading it “have no intention or national concern to hold a genuine national dialogue,” calling the initiative a staged effort aimed at regaining lost public support.
The parties placed particular responsibility on the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), accusing it of dismantling regional institutions, dominating the Interim Administration’s cabinet, and seeking to prolong its stay in power by “holding the people hostage.” They warned that the approach taken by the organizers risks deepening the crisis and undermining unity among Tigrayans.
The six parties said any credible national dialogue must begin with a peaceful, inclusive process among Tigrayan political actors before expanding to a broader public platform. They stressed that equal representation, independence from external influence, and the establishment of an inclusive transitional government must form the core of the effort. Without such a structure, they argued, the region will remain exposed to instability and suffering.
They urged all relevant stakeholders to press dominant actors to enter a genuine, negotiated dialogue capable of producing a lasting political settlement.
The Congress for Dialogue and Consensus Building of Tigray, launched by the Tigray Interim Administration, aims to convene more than 2,300 participants from political parties, civil society organizations, professional associations, religious institutions, and the diaspora. Organizers say the process is intended to promote reconciliation and reconstruction, stressing that “dialogue and consensus” is the only viable path forward and asserting that “no idea is underrepresented.” Abune Tesfaselase Medhin, Secretary-General of the forum, said Tigray — “wounded and bleeding” — must rise toward hope and recovery through inclusive engagement.
However, several opposition parties have raised concerns about the credibility and independence of the initiative. Kinfe Hadush, Chairman of Salsay Woyane Tigray, said the process suffers from a “birth defect” of legitimacy because it was established “without genuine, broad-based consultation,” adding that his party will not participate unless the forum is “fundamentally restructured.”
Yosief Berhe of the Movement for Change in Tigray criticized the selection of leadership as “a unilateral decision” and warned that “the process will not deliver meaningful outcomes unless the agenda and leadership of the dialogue are accepted by all parties.”
TIP Chairman Dejen Mezgebe described the conference as “an important step,” but said the way it was initiated has undermined its legitimacy. He welcomed the broader aim of creating a dialogue platform, but expressed concern that key actors — including Simret, TPF and the TPLF — remain either unengaged or skeptical. Dejen also raised alarms about the selection of community representatives at the Tabia level, calling for strong safeguards against partisan influence.
At the initiative’s launch in September, the TPLF welcomed the effort. Amanuel Assefa, the party’s vice chairman, said the creation of a public dialogue platform was “timely,” though he cautioned that “it is still too early to fully comment on the Congress.” AS
For More News And Analysis About Ethiopia Follow Africa-Press
