AiBotADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Amid growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray province, several officials and experts are questioning the legitimacy of a reported ceasefire agreement, suggesting that the truce might never have existed in the first place.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ethiopian government officials maintained that a fragile peace deal had been reached with local rebels, putting an end to nearly two years of intense fighting between state forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). However, multiple sources within the international community and regional organizations have expressed considerable skepticism over the veracity of the agreement, citing a litany of ongoing violence and military clashes in the region.
“I doubt there was a ceasefire to begin with,” said a Western diplomat, requesting anonymity to avoid straining diplomatic relationships. “If there was a deal in place, one would expect to see some semblance of stability or reduced violence. Unfortunately, the available data paints a far bleaker picture.”
The diplomatic source pointed to several recent incidents, including reports of artillery shelling and aerial bombardments targeting Tigrayan strongholds, as evidence of the ongoing conflict. The international community has long called for a lasting ceasefire, which would allow for much-needed aid and humanitarian assistance to reach vulnerable populations.
Ethiopian Defense Ministry spokesperson, Colonel Getnet Adane, dismissed the claims, stating that the ceasefire had indeed taken effect, albeit somewhat unevenly. However, officials acknowledged that pockets of resistance remained in the region, hindering efforts to fully restore peace.
Critics argue that even if a temporary truce had been reached, its duration would be fleeting, given the entrenched positions of both sides. “The fact that fighting persists in Tigray despite reported ceasefire calls raises serious questions about the genuine commitment of both parties to peace,” said Dr. Arefein Assefa, an Ethiopian analyst who monitors conflict dynamics in the region.
With the humanitarian situation in Tigray rapidly deteriorating, the international community has come under increasing pressure to act decisively to bring a lasting end to the conflict. Efforts to establish a peacekeeping force or facilitate a negotiated settlement continue, albeit with little clear progress on the ground.
While optimism remains that a durable peace might eventually be brokered, many experts share concerns about the reported ceasefire, questioning whether it represents more than just a fleeting respite from the relentless violence.