31/01/2026
Open Letter from Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty (Arena)
To:
• The United Nations
• The African Union
• The European Union
• The Government of the United States of America
• The Government of the United Kingdom
Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty (Arena) writes to you with grave concern and a deep sense of responsibility regarding the rapidly deteriorating political and security situation in Tigray.
Arena is a political organization that has consistently advocated for peaceful, democratic, and dialogue-based solutions to the crises affecting Tigray and Ethiopia. Even during the catastrophic 2020–2022 war on Tigray, Arena repeatedly appealed to national, regional, and international actors to act decisively to prevent war and mitigate its consequences. These warnings, regrettably, went largely unheeded.
The result was one of the most devastating wars of the 21st century: mass atrocities, widespread destruction, famine-like conditions, the displacement of millions, and profound physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon the people of Tigray. Much of this suffering continues today.
The signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) in Pretoria in November 2022 brought an end to large-scale fighting and created a fragile, temporary calm. This development was welcomed by the people of Tigray and all those who seek peace. However, nearly two years later, it is evident that the CoHA has failed to translate into sustainable peace, stability, and justice.
This failure is rooted in several critical realities:
1. The CoHA has increasingly been treated by the signatory parties as a tool for political maneuvering rather than a binding framework for genuine peace.
2. Key provisions of the agreement remain unimplemented, including the restoration of constitutional governance in Tigray, the return of internally displaced persons, and the safe resettlement of refugees.
3. Humanitarian access remains inconsistent, while reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts are severely inadequate.
4. The CoHA Monitoring and Verification mechanisms have proven ineffective, while the international community has failed to exert sustained and coordinated pressure to ensure compliance.
5. External and regional actors continue to exploit Ethiopia’s internal fragility, further complicating the situation and increasing the risk of renewed conflict.
Meanwhile, the broader Horn of Africa remains one of the most volatile regions in the world. The ongoing war in Sudan, unresolved border disputes, militarization, and shifting regional alliances make the region extremely vulnerable to cascading crises. In this context, a renewed war in Tigray would not remain contained, it would pose a serious threat to regional peace, international security, and humanitarian stability.
In light of this reality, Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty calls upon you to:
1. Take immediate and coordinated diplomatic action to prevent the outbreak of renewed armed conflict in Tigray.
2. Exert meaningful pressure on all relevant parties to fully and genuinely implement the CoHA.
3. Ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, accelerated reconstruction, and the safe return of displaced populations.
The people of Tigray cannot endure another war. The responsibility to act, before catastrophe unfolds again, rests heavily on the international community.
History will judge the choices made at this critical moment.
Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty (Arena)
Mekelle, Tigray
January 31, 2026
