Addis Abeba– The Tigray Interim Administration (TIRA) has acknowledged grievances raised by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during peaceful protests in Mekelle, under the theme “Yak’el” (“Enough is Enough”), which highlighted prolonged displacement, unfulfilled promises of return, and incomplete restoration of constitutional governance.
In a press release issued on 13 January 2024, the interim administration stated, “The failure to implement key provisions of the Pretoria Peace Agreement has deepened political instability in the region.” The administration reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the concerns of IDPs and recognized the three-day protests in Mekelle as a “constructive effort to bring attention to the urgent situation facing the people of Tigray.”
The administration further urged the federal government to act swiftly, stating, “The people of Tigray cannot endure further delays. Fulfillment of these provisions is a national and moral obligation.”
It also appealed to the African Union, the United States, the European Union, and the broader international community to “apply pressure for the full implementation of the agreement.”
The three-day peaceful demonstration, organized by Tsilal Western Tigray Civil Society, began on 13 January 2024 at Romanat Square in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, and is still ongoing.
Protesters have been vocal in their demands, chanting slogans such as “Return us to our homes,” “Give attention to IDPs in Sudan,” and “Living in tents is enough.” Many IDPs, displaced for years, continue to endure dire conditions, including hunger, lack of medical care, and inadequate aid.
A recent report by Addis Standard highlighted the increasing death toll among IDPs from Western Tigray. Displaced individuals residing in 99 centers across the region face severe hardships, including critical food shortages, limited access to medical care, and insufficient humanitarian aid.
In an interview with Addis Standard, Wolay Berhe, the coordinator for IDPs in Shire, revealed that nearly 300 displaced individuals at the Hintsad center have died over the past three months, with at least one death reported daily and some days recording two or three deaths. AS
