UMD Media, May 14, 2025
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has issued an official statement clarifying the legal status of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), reaffirming its final decision to deregister the party and revoke its legal recognition under Ethiopian law. According to the statement, the deregistration will result in the prohibition of using the party’s name for political purposes and the liquidation of party assets to settle outstanding liabilities. Remaining assets will be redirected to civic and voter education.
According to NEBE, the TPLF was initially deregistered under Article 98 of Proclamation No. 1162/2011 for its alleged involvement in violent activities. While requests were made by the party on following the Pretoria Agreement to reinstate its legal status, the Board rejected the request citing the absence of legal provisions that allow for reinstatement of parties deregistered for violence-related offenses.
Later, under Proclamation No. 1332/2016, which amended the original party registration law, the TPLF applied for registration under “special circumstances” and was granted legal status again, following a review by the Ministry of Justice. The party was required to comply with Directive No. 25/2016 and submit its founding documents, including bylaws, leadership details, and its political program.
Despite the re-registration, NEBE states that the TPLF failed to meet the legal and administrative obligations associated with the new legal personality. Notably, the party leadership later denied the legitimacy of the registration certificate it had accepted, signed, and received from the Board.
Following repeated written notices and a three-month suspension period was given to rectify its noncompliance, the TPLF refused to adhere to the Board’s directives. As a result, based on Article 3(11)(c) of Proclamation No. 1332/2016 and Article 19(1)(c) of Directive No. 25/2016, the Board decided in its May 13, 2025 meeting to permanently revoke the party’s registration.
NEBE further stated that the decision will be communicated to the Ministry of Justice, made public, and enforced through Article 99 of Proclamation No. 1162/2011, which outlines the consequences for the party and its leadership post-deregistration.
The Board emphasized that this marks the final and irreversible termination of the TPLF’s legal status as a political party in Ethiopia.
As of this writing, the TPLF has not issued any official response regarding whether it will take the case to court. When asked by UMD Media on May 8 what the party would do if the board proceeded with its deregistration, Teklay Gebremedhin—a member of the TPLF’s nine-member politburo—said the party would pursue a political struggle, emphasizing that the issue is political, not legal, and citing the Pretoria Agreement as the basis for their position.
Past UMD Media reports on the NEBE and TPLF:
TPLF Faction Rejects National Election Board of Ethiopia’s Directive to Redo Congress
Ethiopian National Election Board Sets Deadline for TPLF General Assembly Amid Factional Crisis
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