TPLF: Eritrean soldiers still killing children and women in Tigray

The Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF] claims Eritrean soldiers are still actively involved in the Tigray war, days after the faction signed an agreement with the federal government of Ethiopia, in what could yet again delay implementation of the deal which had been welcomed by members of the international community.

Both parties have been under pressure to show commitment to the implementation of the deal but the latest complaints on the involvement of Eritrean troops would potentially blow the deal apart and reignite serious conflict, adding to the pain the people of Tigray are going through.

Getachew Reda, the spokesperson of TPLF claimed Eritrean troops are active on parts of Tigray even after the agreement spelled out disengagement and immediate withdrawal from the Tigray region. Top commanders from both parties had signed the deal on withdrawal in Nairobi.

"While our forces are doing everything to honor their part of the Pretoria/Nairobi deal-disengagement and all Eritrean forces are still on a rampage, killing children and women at will, ransacking, destroying, and looting property at will. In May Abay last week, they summarily executed Hundreds of women and children," Reda said.

"It’s obvious that the Eritreans have no appetite for any peaceful arrangement between the Central government and Tigray as it’d stand in the way of their nefarious plans in the Horn," added Reda, who has been part of the team pushing for the peace deal after two years of hostilities in the region.

The United States and other stakeholders had also called for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops, insisting it is the only way to reunite TPLF and Ethiopian forces. The Eritreans have been fighting alongside Amhara regional militia and those from Afar in defending the Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF].

News about the presence of Eritrean troops could not be independently verified by Garowe Online but the soldiers have been roaming in Western and Eastern Tigray for several months. President Isaias Afwerki is accused of working closely with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to exterminate the people of Tigray.

TPLF now wants the international community to investigate the complaint and pressure the Ethiopian government to facilitate the withdrawal of Eritrean troops from the Tigray region. This, Reda says, will be the only path towards real reconciliation in the Horn of Africa nation which has been in shambles.

GAROWE ONLINE