[TLM Editorial Viewpoint]
The TPLF is ruling Tigray with impunity by dismantling the elected district administrative officials and replacing them with unelected TPLF cadres. The TPLF’s actions have led to widespread dissatisfaction among many districts’ populations, particularly in Central, Eastern, South-Eastern, and Southern Tigray, as the people feel their voices are being silenced and their democratic rights undermined. The TPLF’s collaboration (engagement) with Sheabia (PFDJ) and its repression, killings, imprisonments, tortures, and lack of accountability and transparency in governance have further exacerbated the already tense situation in the region, which has been badly affected by the genocidal war.
As tensions rise, many Tigrayans are increasingly demanding a democratic processes and the reinstatement of their elected representatives. Activists and community leaders have been protesting peacefully, calling for the return of the elected officials to their administrative duties and respect for their democratic human rights in Tigray. The protestors’ demand reflects the growing frustration among the populace in many other districts, who feel that their voices are not being heard, and their human rights eroded by force.
Instead of focusing on the return of the IDPs and working for the territorial integrity of Tigray, the TPLF is only focusing on consolidating its power by eliminating its opponents, dismantling and removing elected administrative district officials, confiscating stamps (seals), and replacing them with unelected TPLF cadres. These actions vividly contribute to lawlessness, injustice, and human rights abuses, which exacerbate the people’s inability to rebuild their lives from the genocidal war. The human rights violations undermine the rule of law, accountability, and good governance. Urgent interventions need to be taken to address these issues and restore trust in good governance and human rights protections before people take arms to defend themselves from the TPLF human rights abuses. The potential for civil war in Tigray poses a grave threat not only to the districts and zones but to the stability of the entire Tigray.
The Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) has been impotent to safeguard against the recent lawlessness seen in court in Mekelle, where the accused family threatened to annihilate the judges. It is imperative that the TIRA must implement effective measures that can alleviate tensions and foster an all-inclusive cabinet and council to restore accountability and good governance that is not dictated and totally controlled by one party, the TPLF. An all-inclusive transitional administration requires all political parties in the region to engage collaboratively and ensure that diverse voices are heard and represented. Only an all-inclusive transitional administration can address the underlying issues and restore the unity of Tigray.
There is hope that the newly established Tigray Democratic Solidarity may bring a new dimension of politics to challenge the TPLF’s repressive rule and encourage a more democratic and accountable governance structure in the region. To reshape the political landscape, the Solidarity party must devise and publish its political manifesto for Tigray to inspire the public and cultivate a new generation of leaders that have been sorely lacking under the TPLF rule in the past 34 years. The people of Tigray can then join to reclaim their voices and participate in the democratic political process with Tigray Democratic Solidarity.
As Tigrayans unite under the banner of Solidarity, they may not only challenge the TPLF’s repressive and corrupt rule but also pave the way for a more equitable and just society that truly reflects the aspirations of all Tigrayans to exercise their democratic rights freely and rebuild prosperous Tigray for all the populace to benefit from its resources and economic development.
We call upon the leaders of the opposition political parties and their supporters to set aside their differences, personal ambitions, and narrow political interests at these turbulent times. The single most unifying interest should be to save Tigray from destruction in the hands of Debretsion and his gangs, who are bent on ceding Tigray sovereignty and territory piece by piece to neighbouring Eritrea. The crimes the TPLF leaders have been committing against the people of Tigray can only be remedied by removing them from office first. If we love Tigray and are proud of our Tigray heritage, the current situation is a critical one in the life of our beleaguered Tigray. If the gang of four assumes power, the harm they will unleash on Tigray is beyond our wildest imagination. The obvious acts of repressions would bring immense human suffering and poverty to our people. We must defeat the TPLF authoritarian rule and re-establish a democratic Tigray.
TPLF always rules using intimidation and commits human rights abuses against its political opponents.