[By Amare]
Introduction: The TPLF Leadership and Its Legacy of Betrayal
The Tigray genocide, one of the most brutal atrocities in recent history, did not occur in a vacuum. It was the tragic culmination of decades of strategic miscalculations, leadership failures, and misplaced allegiances by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front’s (TPLF) leadership. At the center of these failures was the influence of Meles Zenawi, the former TPLF and Ethiopian leader, whose policies consistently prioritized Eritrean interests over those of Tigray and its people. From his early writings and political actions, Zenawi demonstrated a dangerous commitment to advancing Eritrean objectives, even when they directly conflicted with the security and survival of Tigrayans.
Had the TPLF leadership not been swayed by Zenawi’s pro-Eritrean agenda, had they not demobilised Tigray’s defenders following the 1998-2000 war, and had they prepared for the inevitable hostility from Eritrea’s leader, Isaias Afewerki—a sworn enemy of Tigray—the horrors of the recent genocide might have been avoided.
This article provides a critical analysis of the historical timeline of missed wake-up calls, leadership failures, and the catastrophic consequences of strategic blindness within the TPLF, culminating in the Tigray genocide. It serves as a reminder for every Tigrayan and for history: “History Repeats Itself When We Fail to Learn from It.”
1984-85: The First Genocidal Intent—Eritrean Insurgents’ Role in Tigray’s Famine
The first clear signal of Eritrea’s genocidal intent towards Tigray emerged during the devastating famine of 1984–85. The Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF), led by Isaias Afwerki, denied the Relief Society of Tigray’s (REST) safe passage through Eritrean-controlled territory to Sudan, obstructing aid delivery to famine-stricken Tigray. This deliberate act contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans, marking the first genocidal wake-up call for Tigray.
The EPLF even went as far as burning UN and private relief trucks, exacerbating the famine’s impact. Despite this blatant hostility, Meles Zenawi and key TPLF leaders like Sebhat Nega continued to prioritise Eritrean interests, failing to recognise the long-term threat posed by Isaias Afewerki’s regime to the future of Tigray.
First Missed Wake-Up Call: The famine and the EPLF’s actions clearly signaled that Eritrea’s leadership viewed Tigray as an adversary, not an ally. Yet, the TPLF leadership, particularly Meles Zenawi failed to see this existential threat and hatred, allowing the seeds of future genocide to be planted.
1993: Eritrea’s Independence and The Deportation of Tigrayans
In 1993, with Meles Zenawi’s support, Eritrea achieved independence. As a result, over 25,000 Tigrayans living in Eritrea were deported, their properties confiscated, and many were killed in a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing. The deportation process was marked by brutality. Eritrean authorities forcibly removed gold teeth from Tigrayan men and stripped women of their jewelleries that demonstrated vengeful genocidal intent.
Despite these atrocities, Zenawi’s government did little and totally turned a blind eye to protect the rights of Tigrayans, prioritising the Eritrean alliance over the security of his own people. This marked yet another missed wake-up call as the Eritrean leadership continued to reveal its deep-seated hostility, barbaric cruelty, and hatred towards Tigray.
Second Missed Wake-Up Call: The deportation and targeted killings of Tigrayans in 1993 were clear indicators of Eritrea’s genocidal ambitions. Yet, blinded by Zenawi’s misguided allegiance to Eritrea, the TPLF leadership failed to protect Tigrayans, laying the groundwork for future violence.
1998-2000: The Badme War and Eritrean Aggression
The 1998-2000 Badme War between Eritrea and Ethiopia was a defining moment in Tigray’s modern history. Eritrean forces, under Afwerki, displayed their readiness to commit atrocities, launching airstrikes on civilian targets in Tigray, killing 51 children and injuring 136 others. Thousands of Tigrayans were displaced, killed, or imprisoned as Eritrea aggressively sought to annex Tigrayan territory.
Despite this clear and present danger, the TPLF leadership under Meles Zenawi made the catastrophic decision to demobilize 75,000 Tigrayan soldiers after the war. This left Tigray vulnerable, stripping the region of its ability to defend itself against future Eritrean aggression.
Third Missed Wake-up Call: The Badme War and the targeting of Tigrayan civilians by Eritrean forces were undeniable indicators of Eritrea’s genocidal intent. Yet, Zenawi’s demobilisation of Tigray’s defence forces was a monumental strategic blunder that left the region defenceless.
2020-2021: The Tigray Genocide
The Tigray genocide, which erupted in November 2020, was the ultimate culmination of decades of leadership failures and missed wake-up calls. Eritrean forces, once again allied with Ethiopian federal troops, launched a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing, mass murder, and destruction across Tigray. Thousands were killed, millions displaced, and Tigray’s cultural heritage was systematically eradicated.
Had the TPLF leadership recognized the threat posed by Eritrea earlier, maintained a strong and prepared defense force, and truly prioritized the safety and security of Tigray, this genocide might have been prevented. Instead, history repeated itself in the most devastating way.
Fourth Missed Wake-Up Call: The Tigray genocide is the direct result of decades of strategic blindness and leadership failures. The TPLF leadership, under both Meles Zenawi and his successors, including the Debretsion Gebremichael’s led splinter group, consistently failed to prioritise Tigray’s survival, leading to its worst tragedy in modern history.
Conclusion: History Repeats Itself When We, Tigrayans, Fail to Learn
The lessons from Tigray’s history are undeniable: “A nation that ignores its wake-up calls will be forced to relive its worst nightmares.” The TPLF leadership, by repeatedly prioritising Eritrean interests over Tigray’s interests and security, has led the people of Tigray into recurring cycles of violence and destruction. The recent genocide is not an isolated event—it is the culmination of decades of missed opportunities to defend Tigray from its enemies.
As Tigray moves forward, it is critical that its leaders learn from these historical failures. The pro-Eritrean policies of TPLF and Meles Zenawi must be abandoned, and Tigray must focus on its own survival and security above all else. Only by learning from the past mistakes can Tigray rebuild and recover from the devastation of the genocide.
The following powerful emotional slogans must be in all Tigrayans minds to end the reoccurring genocide every 20–40 years over Tigray and we must include them in our core strategy to protect our Tigrayan identity, history, and culture.
- “Never Again: Tigray Will Not Be Betrayed by Its Own Leadership.”
- “History Repeats Itself When We Ignore the Lessons of Our Past.”
- “The Blood of Tigrayans Demands Accountability: No More Blind and Unaccountable Leadership.”
- “Enough is Enough: We Will Not Forgive Betrayal of The Ethiopian State, We Will Not Forget Tigray Genocide.”
- “Defend Tigray, Defend Our Future: No More Strategic Failures.”
This document stands as a stark reminder to every Tigrayan and future generations: the greatest betrayal of all is the failure to protect your people. While Tigray’s history is marked by resilience, it is also marred by leadership failures that have cost countless lives. We must learn from the past historical events and secure a future where Tigray is never again left vulnerable to the genocidal ambitions of its enemies.