Navigating the Aftermath: An Analysis of Tigray's Fractured Landscape in the Wake of Genocide

Peace agreements crafted to guide societies from conflict to stability necessitate thorough peace implementation and peace building endeavors. The efficacy of this transition hinges on the quality of the agreement, subsequent political discourse, and collaborative commitment to progress beyond the burdens of conflict toward democracy, stability, and societal unity. The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) was established between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) with the objective of terminating hostilities and laying the groundwork for enduring peace. Nevertheless, a qualitative assessment of the COHA and post-Pretoria developments in Tigray, based on surveys and desktop research, reveals that inadequately formulated agreements can yield outcomes contrary to the objectives of peacemaking and peace building. This is evidenced by the persistence of direct and structural violence, the resurgence of hostilities, and the emergence of new conflict dynamics in the postwar period. Numerous deficiencies in the context and process of peacemaking, the nature of the COHA itself, a critical absence of subsequent political commitment and discourse, and a lack of implementation mechanisms, along with deliberate manipulation by the federal government and spoilers, have undermined the anticipated implementation process. Consequently, salvaging the agreement from these perils and addressing post-Pretoria conflict dynamics in Tigray will necessitate primarily addressing basic survival and human needs, reinvigorating political engagement to fortify the agreement, devising viable implementation frameworks, and coordinating efforts to resolve emerging conflicts and transform long-term relationships. Revitalizing peace from a derailed peace process demands concerted endeavors not only from the agreement parties but also vigilance from regional, continental, and international stakeholders who can provide resources and support mechanisms.