The Ethiopian government is accusing the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of undermining the principles of the peace deal reached between them in Pretoria, South Africa late last year.Minister of Government Communication Service (GCS) of Ethiopia, Legesse Tulu claimed some leaders of the TPLF are engaged in disseminating unfounded information in contrast to the principles of the peace deal.

The accusation comes at a time of increased hope about a definitive end to the two-year conflict as both sides carry out the terms of the peace deal with the TPLF handing in their heavy weaponry while non-Ethiopians troops who were part of the conflict withdraw from Tigray. 

However despite optimism that the peace deal will hold, Tulu said some TPLF leaders are engaged in the characterization of neighboring regions’ troops as ‘mass killers’, accusing them of being behind the killing of civilians during the conflict.

He further said the TPLF leaders are trying to hold the federal security forces accountable for all destruction and crimes in the Tigray region during the hostilities.

 “The peace deal states that the parties should refrain from disseminating negative information against one another,” said Tulu, warning that such campaign of defamation would negatively impact the implementation of the agreement.

According to the minister, the TPLF has continued breaching the ceasefire agreement one way or another as well as pushing the people of Tigray into another round of conflict.

Tulu said the government has already informed the TPLF officials to refrain from such damaging activity and make immediate rectification.

The TPLF have not commented.