Addis Ababa, July 18, 2025 (HornCurrent.com) – A delegation of civil society representatives from Ethiopia’s conflict-affected Tigray region held a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed this week, as part of an ongoing public diplomacy effort to strengthen national dialogue and advance Tigray’s post-conflict recovery.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, the meeting was described as “in-depth and forward-looking,” focusing on key challenges facing the region, including the status of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the political landscape, and strategies for sustainable economic revitalization.
The Tigrayan delegation stressed the importance of inclusive national dialogue and the creation of open platforms that allow the genuine voices of Tigrayans to be heard. They also raised concerns about perceived implementation gaps in the Pretoria Peace Agreement, citing issues such as misinterpretation, misuse of language, and actions that could threaten the spirit and letter of the accord.
In his response, Prime Minister Abiy reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting Tigray’s transition from conflict to recovery. “We reaffirm, as the federal government, our commitment to working closely with the people of Tigray, the Interim Regional Administration, and other relevant stakeholders. Through coordinated efforts in politics, security, and economic recovery, we aim to restore Tigray to a state of stability and prosperity,” the statement read.
The talks come amid growing concerns from within Tigray’s religious and civic institutions regarding the pace and scope of post-conflict rehabilitation. Just last week, senior leaders of the Tigray Orthodox Church issued a strongly worded statement criticizing the Prime Minister’s recent assessment of the situation in the region.
“The Prime Minister’s assessment of the situation in Tigray is disconnected from the lived experiences of the people,” the Church stated on July 9, warning that such a disconnect could exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The clergy highlighted the slow pace of IDP return as a major failure and called for immediate government action.
In a move to further bridge this divide, the Church announced it would dispatch a delegation of elders to meet directly with the Prime Minister. “We have full faith that the Prime Minister of Ethiopia will respect and receive the sent elders,” their statement affirmed, underlining the urgency of reestablishing trust and accelerating recovery on the ground.
The latest developments underscore the complex interplay of civil, religious, and political actors as Ethiopia continues to navigate the fragile peace process in Tigray, nearly two years after the signing of the Pretoria Agreement.
Source: PM X Account
