Tigray Peace and Change Council Announces Public Rally to Condemn Forced Mobilization, Recruitment in Tigray Region

Addis Ababa, July 16, 2026 (FMC) — The Tigray Peace and Change Council has announced that it will hold a public rally in Addis Ababa on Saturday, July 18, 2026, to condemn what it described as forced military mobilization, recruitment and violence against the people of Tigray by the defunct TPLF group.

Briefing the media today, the council’s Media and Public Relations Coordinator, Kebede Assefa, said the public rally will take place at Meskel Square starting at 6:00 AM under the theme “Stop the violence, let peace flourish.”

Kebede said the rally is aimed at raising awareness among the international community and the federal government about the situation in Tigray and urging action to address the challenges facing the people of the region.

He stated that the forced military mobilization and recruitment activities carried out by the defunct TPLF group have caused humanitarian harm and suffering among the people of Tigray.

The coordinator said the council strongly opposes what it described as forced recruitment, violence, human rights abuses and psychological pressure being inflicted on the people of the region, particularly young people.

He added that the public rally will serve as a platform to amplify the voices of citizens affected by the situation and draw attention to the hardships facing innocent civilians, including families affected by imprisonment and other forms of suffering in the region.

Kebede further stated that the demonstration will deliver a message calling for lasting peace, respect for the country’s laws and the full implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

He noted that the organizers have received legal recognition and permission from the relevant government body to hold the public rally.

The Tigray Peace and Change Council called on all peace-loving Ethiopians living in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas to participate in the rally and urged people in Tigray to show their support for the call for peace.