Addis Ababa, July 18, 2026 (FMC) — Thousands of demonstrators gathered at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa on Saturday for a peaceful mass rally denouncing the defunct Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) over forced recruitment, mass mobilization, violence and repression in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
Braving rain and cold weather, participants joined the rally organized by the Tigray Peace and Change Council to draw attention to the situation in the region and call on the federal government and the international community to take action.
The demonstrators called for an immediate end to forced recruitment and the mobilization of young people for military purposes, stressing that the youth of Tigray should not be subjected to further cycles of conflict.
The rally also expressed opposition to what participants described as continued repression, coercion and suffering inflicted on the people of Tigray by the defunct TPLF group.
Organizers stated that the demonstration aimed to amplify the voices of affected communities and raise awareness about the challenges facing civilians in the region.
Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, participants remained at Meskel Square, reiterating their calls for an end to forced recruitment, mass mobilization, violence and actions that undermine peace and stability in Tigray.
The rally comes amid growing international attention to concerns over forced recruitment and human rights issues in the region. Human Rights Watch recently raised concerns over forced recruitment in Tigray, while the United States has imposed targeted visa restrictions on certain hardline TPLF members and their immediate family members.
The participants concluded the rally by renewing their call for peace, security and an end to forced recruitment, mass mobilization and violence in Tigray.