The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has strongly condemned the visa restrictions imposed on its members by the United States government, denouncing the decision as an “incomplete and imbalanced assessment” that places the entire blame for the region’s instability solely on the Tigrayan leadership.
This diplomatic dispute erupted just a day after the U.S. Department of State announced visa restrictions under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act on June 17.
State Department Spokesperson Thomas Tommy Pigott stated that the restrictions target “extremist members” of the TPLF and their immediate family members, following allegations that they are “undermining the peace process” after recent direct clashes between Tigray forces and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF).
In an official statement released on June 19, 2026, the TPLF expressed its deep concern over the sanctions, arguing that Washington has ignored the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) government’s continuous failure to implement the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement.
“Holding only one signatory accountable while overlooking the actions of the other party erodes trust in the peace process,” the TPLF statement elaborated. The group emphasized that “achieving sustainable peace requires impartiality, consistency, and equal accountability for all parties.”
The TPLF notes that even though more than three years have passed since the signing of the historic peace agreement, key provisions remain unimplemented by Addis Ababa.
Among the grievances raised by the Tigray leadership are:Tigray’s exclusion from the recent elections held on June 1, 2026; the fact that hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are still unable to return to their homes; the ongoing restrictions on basic services, including banking, fuel supply, and regular salary payments for civil servants; and the continuous drone strikes and heavy military build-up by federal forces around the region’s borders.
The tightening of U.S. policy reflects Washington’s deep concern over the rapid unraveling of the fragile peace achieved in late 2022. Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the visa restrictions amid warnings that the escalating tensions could destabilize not only northern Ethiopia but the entire region.
In its statement, the TPLF urged Washington to pressure non-federal forces to withdraw from Tigray territory, restore the TPLF’s legal political recognition, and ensure that accountability measures are applied honestly and equally to all sides.
