Tigray Government Accuses AU of Failing Pretoria Process, Says Peace and Dialogue Remain Its “Strategic Choice”

September 24, 2026 

The Government of Tigray has sharply criticized the African Union’s handling of the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement, accusing the continental body of failing to respond to repeated appeals for intervention while disputing the AU’s account of the latest military escalation in northern Ethiopia.

In a statement issued Thursday through the Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau, the regional government said it received the AU’s latest press release “with deep concern” and argued that the organization had failed to adequately oversee implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, or CoHA, signed in Pretoria on November 2, 2022.

The response comes a day after AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for immediate de-escalation, raised concerns over the seizure of the Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports, and urged a return to talks under the Pretoria framework.

Tigray Says Appeals to AU Went Unanswered

The Tigray government said that since the agreement was signed, it has repeatedly asked the AU to press for implementation and reconvene the AU High-Level Panel to assess progress and chart a way forward.

According to the statement, those appeals went unanswered, while key provisions of the agreement remained unimplemented.

It also said the AU was aware of disputes over the legal and political status of the TPLF and what Tigray describes as the federal government’s failure to uphold mutual recognition of the signatories.

Tigray Cites Abiy’s Remarks on Pretoria Negotiators

The statement also referred to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s remarks in parliament about the Tigrayan delegation that negotiated the Pretoria agreement.

The three individuals referenced in that context were Getachew Reda, Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae and Assefa Abraha, all members of the Tigrayan negotiating delegation.

Tigray authorities argue that the three negotiated as representatives of the Tigrayan side, not as private individuals, and criticized the AU for failing to respond when the prime minister characterized the agreement in those terms.

Territorial and Humanitarian Grievances Remain

The statement said Western and Northwestern Tigray remain outside the administration of the Government of Tigray and that many displaced people are now facing a sixth rainy season away from their homes.

It also accused the federal government of maintaining economic restrictions, withholding budget transfers and limiting essential services, saying these concerns had repeatedly been raised with the AU and wider international community.

Tigray Says Federal Attacks Preceded September 23 Fighting

The Tigray government rejected the suggestion that the latest crisis began with Tigrayan military action.

It accused federal forces of large-scale mobilization around Tigray, an offensive at Shererina in Western Tigray, and repeated drone surveillance, strikes and air bombardments.

The statement specifically cited a reported drone strike on a Catholic Relief humanitarian convoy, criticizing the AU for not condemning the incident.

On the September 23 fighting, the regional government said federal forces launched offensives against Tigray Security Forces positions in Southern Tigray and from the direction of Afar, following extensive drone, air and artillery attacks.

“The Tigray Security Forces were compelled to defend themselves,” the statement said.

That account aligns with the Tigray Army Command Center’s earlier statement but directly conflicts with U.S. Ambassador Ervin J. Massinga’s assertion that the TPLF leadership launched a large-scale offensive.

Tigray Directly Challenges AU’s Role

The September 24 statement goes beyond disagreement over the latest fighting and directly questions the AU’s management of the Pretoria process.

The regional government said repeated requests for AU engagement on implementation, humanitarian conditions, economic restrictions and the deteriorating security situation were not adequately addressed.

“The AU has been unwilling to take the task seriously,” the statement said.

The AU, meanwhile, has criticized the seizure of the Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports, warned about new political and military alliances, and asked former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to re-engage the parties.

Dialogue Still “Strategic Choice”

Despite its strong criticism of the AU, the Tigray government said peace and dialogue remain its “strategic choice.”

It argued, however, that any mediation must be impartial, independent and consistently engaged with both parties, and must focus on substantive implementation of the Pretoria agreement.

The latest exchange shows that the crisis now extends beyond the battlefield. The parties are also disputing who initiated the September 23 fighting, how Pretoria should be interpreted and implemented, and whether the African Union has effectively fulfilled its role in the peace process.