Meribah Times - መሪባ ታይምስ

Statement Release
Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars’ Association.
...
Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars’ Association (WTTASA) has carefully reviewed the official statement issued by Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) issued on February 18, 2025 G.C. This statement referenced remarks made by H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, AU high representative for the horn of Africa, during the recent AU session on the ‘Lessons Learned Report from AU led Peace Process for the Tigray region of Ethiopia’.    
During his session, H.E Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized that Welqait Tegede, Tellemt and Raya ‘‘Contested Areas (indirectly referring to welqait Tegede, Tellemt and Raya) must remain neutral until the issue is solved’’. Despite this, GSTS’s statement attempted to portray these areas as part of Tigray region. A claim that directly contradicts to The Pretoria Agreement for Lasting Peace Through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities (COHA) between TPLF and FDRE notably, Article 10/4 which explicitly states that ‘‘The Parties commit to resolving issues of Contested Areas in accordance with the constitution of FDRE’’.
Furthermore, any statement that disregards the true nature of Pretoria Agreement and the FDRE constitution jeopardize the ongoing peace process and is unacceptable to WTTASA.

Condemnation of GSTS’s Statement 
Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars Association strongly condemns the GSTS’s characterization of these areas as ‘‘occupied Tigray Territories’’ as such cliam are misleading and inconsistent with the Pretoria Permeant Peace Agreement and FDRE constitution. Historical records clearly shows that Welqait Tegede Tellemt and Raya were unlawfully and forcefully annexed to Tigray region in 1991 before the adoption and enforcement of FDRE constitution in 1995.
As it is well documented and known by both TPLF and FDRE the People of Welqait Tegede Tellemt has submitted Amhara Identity Quest Petition signed by greater than 25,000 individuals to Tigray regional administration and Federal government in December 2015 G.C. However, rather than addressing these demands through legal and constitutional means, TPLF response was Kidnappings, Mass detentions and the killing of representatives advocating for their People’s identity rights.  (Refer to the United States House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs: (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA16/20170309/105673/HHRG-115-FA16-Wstate-TirfeT-20170309.pdf).

Additionally, the Tigray regional council deliberately obstructed the effort of the Federal government by totally rejecting the work of the Commission for Identity and Administrative boundaries of Ethiopia to resolve the issues of Welqait Tegede Tellemt and Raya. The TPLF also hampered legal procedures and the due process of law by appointing its Executive committee member as a speaker for the House of Federation.      
November 4, 2020 TPLF launched a military attack on the Northern Division of Ethiopian National Defense Force, triggering in to a full-scale war aimed at regaining power in Ethiopia.  Following the law enforcement action by FDRE against TPLF’s aggression, The People of Welqait Tegede, Tellemt and Raya declared its freedom from TPLF’s Apartheid like regime. By now the people continue to exercise self-administration and freedom, in spite of numerous challenges; like the threat of reinvasion by TPLF and war mongering by TPLF combatants. This self-administration of the people by the people is not only constitutional but also helpful for maintaining regional stability and sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa.

Call to Action
All in all, Weqlait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars Association strongly condemns the statement issued by GSTS regarding welqait Tegede Telllemt and Raya and calls for the following actions;