PM Abiy Hails Pretoria Peace Accord as a Historic Turning Point in Ethiopia’s Conflict Resolution

Addis Ababa, June 8, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has hailed the Pretoria Peace Accord as a historic turning point in Ethiopia’s long struggle with internal conflict, emphasizing that it marks one of the few instances in the country’s history where peace was achieved through dialogue rather than force.

In the fourth installment of his in-depth televised interview with EBC, the Prime Minister reflected on Ethiopia’s entrenched political culture, which for decades has been dominated by the pursuit of power through armed struggle.

He pointed out that a persistent thirst for power and a refusal to embrace peaceful democratic competition have fueled deep divisions and enduring mistrust among political actors.

“Historically, Ethiopia has rarely resolved its internal conflicts through negotiation,” Abiy said. “The Pretoria Accord breaks that pattern and stands as a landmark in our national journey toward peace.”

The Prime Minister underscored that the decision to pursue peace through the Pretoria agreement came at a time when government forces were gaining rapid military ground in the Tigray region. Opting for negotiations, he said, demonstrated the government’s principled commitment to sustainable peace over military triumph.

“It was a conscious and historic choice to restrain the use of force, even when victory was within reach,” he said. “It shows that true victory lies not in defeating opponents, but in building a peaceful future together.”

Abiy further explained that many of Ethiopia’s conflicts stem from the actions of political elites who seek to impose their will through violence and divisive rhetoric, rather than relying on democratic processes.

He argued that peace and democracy will remain elusive unless political actors accept that power must be attained through free and fair elections and the consent of the people.

“To build a stable and democratic order, political leaders must reject the temptation to dominate by force and instead commit to peaceful competition,” he urged.

Recalling the peaceful reform movement that led to his rise to office in 2018, the Prime Minister emphasized that his administration has consistently championed change through internal and nonviolent means.

“When we pushed for reform, we believed in peaceful struggle from within. We paid a high price to make that vision a reality because we knew armed conflict could never bring lasting change,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to dismantle a political culture driven by destructive power struggles.

He described armed resistance as outdated and counterproductive, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to peace initiatives, including the work of the National Dialogue Commission and the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

“These efforts demonstrate our dedication to resolving differences through dialogue,” he said.

In conclusion, Abiy reiterated that political legitimacy must come from the will of the people, democratic participation, and respect for popular sovereignty — not from coercion or control.