Yimer Ayele One thing that the current TPLF old guard has mastered is how to manufacture a crisis. The storm that they are trying to stir up due to the cancellation of the party’s registration by the National Elections Board is a good example of the bluff of this group. After the Pretoria Agreement - which does not address the issue of registration - was signed, the Electoral Board rejected TPLF’s request to be reinstated as a political party without any registration process. The Board decided that the TPLF must re-register using the regular registration process, just like any other newly formed party. The TPLF complained against this decision and claimed that as an old party with a long history, it should not be required to register through the regular procedure. The Federal Government made an effort to work with the Board to see if there was any way in which the request of the TPLF could be accommodated under the pertinent law. However, this effort was unsuccessful, as the Board determined that the matter fell outside its mandate. Hence, the Federal Government respected the decision of the Board as an independent democratic constitutional organ. To find a way out of this impasse and in the spirit of fostering peace, the Federal Government initiated a legislative amendment that would enable the TPLF to register through a special, expedited, and simplified procedure enabling it to maintain its political identity as a decades-old party. The new legislation waived the requirements applicable to a new political party. It enabled TPLF to register with its existing program, leadership, and bylaws without the need to go through the cumbersome processes required during the formation of a new political party. Under this law, the TPLF registered and secured a certificate regaining its status as a political party under Ethiopian law. However, after it received the certificate of registration, the TPLF complained that it was not happy with how it was registered and started clamoring for “reinstatement”. The certificate it has acquired and its registration through a special procedure gave it all the benefits, privileges, and entitlements of a political party. Yet, the TPLF insisted that this was still not satisfactory without any reasonable ground for its dissatisfaction. It was a frivolous complaint that did not change the fact that the TPLF had already regained its legal status as a duly registered political party. To complicate matters further, the TPLF conducted a general assembly to elect a new leadership without notifying the National Electoral Board in advance, as per the requirements of the law. Any political party intending to hold a general assembly must first notify the Board and conduct the assembly under its supervision. Nevertheless, the TPLF held an assembly without complying with these statutory requirements. The Board noted this violation of the political parties' proclamation but gave the TPLF ample chance and warning to rectify the infraction and comply with the law. The Board furthermore instructed the TPLF to hold an assembly under its supervision and gave a time frame within which this task should be accomplished. When the TPLF failed to comply with this requirement within the six-month period prescribed by the law, the Board granted an additional three months for compliance. Once again, the TPLF ignored the instructions of the Board, fully aware that this would entail the cancellation of its registration. The TPLF had nine months to hold a general assembly and meet the requirements of the Board. It deliberately failed to do so. This was a conscious effort intended to generate a crisis. After the Board inevitably cancelled its registration due to its own calculated intransigence and deliberate failure to comply with the law of the land, TPLF is now complaining about the cancellation of its registration. This is disingenuous to say the least. The TPLF orchestrated the cancellation through its deliberate non-compliance, violating a clear and reasonable legal requirement to hold a general party assembly. Now, it claims that the cancellation might trigger “instability and spontaneous violence”. There is nothing spontaneous about this whole affair. It is a manufactured crisis that is the handiwork of the warmongers within the TPLF and their senior partners from the north. This ploy must not hoodwink the international community. Those behind this drama are the hardliners of the TPLF who were unhappy with the Pretoria Agreement. The depth of their displeasure is manifested clearly by the fate of the lead negotiators of the Peace Agreement, both of whom had to flee the Tigray region, fearing for their lives. TPLF would not have chased away those who negotiated the peace agreement if it was committed to peace. What belies the professed commitment of the TPLF to the Pretoria agreement is its constant need to manufacture a crisis. It is the same logic that explains the fact that they are holding IDPs as hostages to perpetuate their narrative and litany of grievances. The international community cannot interfere in the question of the registration of a political party, which is an internal administrative and regulatory matter. If the TPLF is not happy with the decision of the Electoral Board, it can appeal to the judiciary. The TPLF should not benefit from the crisis it is manufacturing by getting the one reward it is seeking - which is international attention! Addressing governance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction priorities should be the focus of anyone who has the best interest of the Tigray region and its people at heart. Instead the current leadership of the TPLF seems to prefer engaging in pointless liaisons with diplomats and international organizations where it regurgitates the same talking points. This addiction to the fanfare and ceremonial trappings of diplomatic engagements should not be indulged. The desire to unilaterally break and renegotiate the Pretoria Agreement must be called out for the dangerous delusion that it represents. The TPLF should be firmly disabused of this notion. There will not be a sequel to Pretoria! It is time that even those who are not happy with this Agreement come to terms with this reality and focus on its implementation, instead of its renegotiation.

By Blen Mamo Addis Ababa, April 22, 2025 (POA)—The recent resignation of Klaus Schwab as Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) marks the closure of a significant chapter in global governance. For more than fifty years, Schwab has presided over the WEF, positioning it as a gathering of elites committed to shaping a more cohesive global economic order. Under Schwab’s stewardship, the Forum championed the concept of “stakeholder capitalism,” advocating for a system that integrates social responsibility within market dynamics. Yet, as the world faces increasing fragmentation, and as the legitimacy of top-down, technocratic solutions wanes, the departure of Schwab opens a new chapter in the global economic landscape. The question now arises: What will replace the WEF in this new era, and how will Africa, long on the periphery of these discussions, assert its voice on the global stage? Africa's consistent marginalization from key global economic discussions underscores the pressing need for the continent to establish its own forum for dialogue, one that speaks directly to its unique challenges, opportunities, and aspirations. The absence of a robust African voice in platforms like Davos has long been a source of frustration, as Africa’s concerns are often addressed from an external perspective rather than within the context of the continent's lived realities. With Schwab’s resignation and the evolving global order, Africa now stands at a crossroads, poised to create a space where its interests are not only acknowledged but actively shaped by its own leadership. At the forefront of this transformation stands Ethiopia, a nation with both historical significance and contemporary momentum that uniquely positions it to lead such an initiative. As the host of the African Union (AU) headquarters, Ethiopia has long played a central role in African diplomacy and regional cooperation. This diplomatic capital, coupled with Ethiopia’s active facilitation of peace and development initiatives across the continent, positions the country as an ideal candidate to spearhead an African Economic Forum. Ethiopia’s leadership is grounded in its commitment to African unity, its growing economic influence, and its strategic importance in global affairs. Economically, Ethiopia’s rise over the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable. With an average growth rate of 10.5% since 2004, Ethiopia has emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, driven by investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and agriculture. This rapid growth has not only bolstered Ethiopia’s domestic economy but has also positioned the country as a model of development for the continent. However, Ethiopia’s vision extends beyond mere economic expansion, it seeks to integrate sustainable growth into its development strategy, emphasizing the need for climate resilience and environmental responsibility alongside economic progress. Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainability is particularly noteworthy. The nation has prioritized renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and large-scale reforestation, establishing itself as a leader in green growth initiatives. These efforts align with Africa’s broader goals of combating climate change and ensuring food security, positioning Ethiopia as a key player in the continent’s quest for both economic growth and environmental stewardship. Ethiopia’s model of growth is one that balances economic ambition with ecological consciousness, an approach that could serve as a blueprint for other African nations navigating the twin challenges of development and sustainability. In this context, an African Economic Forum, led by Ethiopia, would provide a much-needed platform to address the continent’s specific challenges in a way that global forums like Davos have failed to do. While the WEF has historically brought together global elites to discuss issues ranging from trade to innovation, it has often been criticized for its lack of focus on the realities faced by the Global South. An African-led forum would allow African leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage directly with one another and with the broader international community on issues such as industrialization, regional integration, job creation, and climate resilience. This forum would not only amplify Africa’s voice but would provide a tangible space for collaborative solutions to the continent’s pressing challenges. Ethiopia’s recent accession to the BRICS grouping of emerging economies further strengthens its position to lead such a forum. BRICS, representing a coalition of nations that are challenging the traditional global economic order, provides Ethiopia with an opportunity to connect African concerns with broader global debates on economic governance. As part of this bloc, Ethiopia can foster deeper cooperation with other emerging economies, advocating for an economic model that reflects the needs and aspirations of the Global South. The inclusion of Ethiopia in BRICS is not just a diplomatic achievement, it is a strategic platform for influencing the future direction of global economic governance. The time is ripe for Africa to establish its own economic forum. Schwab’s departure marks the end of an era, and the world is now at a juncture where new models of multilateralism and cooperation are needed. The WEF, once the definitive platform for global economic dialogue, now faces questions of relevance in a rapidly changing world. As the global landscape becomes increasingly fragmented, the need for a more inclusive, decentralized approach to economic governance has never been clearer. In this environment, Ethiopia has the opportunity to lead the creation of a forum that is reflective of Africa’s diverse realities, priorities, and potential. An African Economic Forum would serve as a space where Africa’s economic future is determined by Africans themselves, where the continent can assert its agency and play a central role in shaping the global economic narrative. This initiative would not only allow Africa to define its own development path but would also provide a forum for African countries to collaborate on solutions that are both sustainable and equitable. By creating a platform for intra-continental dialogue and cooperation, Ethiopia can foster stronger economic integration across Africa, driving the continent toward greater regional unity and prosperity. In the wake of Schwab’s resignation and the shifting dynamics of global power, the moment has arrived for Africa to take its rightful place at the global table. With Ethiopia poised to lead the charge, the establishment of an African Economic Forum offers the continent the chance to step out from the shadows of elite-driven platforms and into the spotlight of global economic leadership. The time for Africa’s voice to be heard, not as a passive participant but as a key architect of the future global order, has arrived. Ethiopia, with its diplomatic expertise, economic growth, and commitment to sustainability, is uniquely positioned to guide the continent into this new era. The question now is not whether Africa will rise, but when, and under whose leadership. Ethiopia stands ready to take the helm, and the time for Africa to define its future on its own terms has come. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Blen Mamo is recently Director of Horn Review a premier Independent Research and Publication Think Tank based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.