[TLM Editorial Viewpoint]
A delegation of Raya’s elders travelled to Mekelle to voice their concern to the Interim President, Lt. General Tadesse Werede, and demand for their constitutional rights and peace to be restored.
The TLM condemns the unconstitutional measures taken by Tigray Interim Administration President Lt. General Tadesse Werede for dismantling the zonal and district leaders elected by the people and replacing them with the TPLF-appointed individuals that breach the federal and Tigray constitutions. The Interim Administration President Lt. General Tadesse Werede must respect the Raya people’s voices and democratic rights. TLM stands with the people of Raya’s demand to restore the constitutional rights.
The ill-thought authoritarian rule is leading to widespread unrest and disillusionment among the people of Raya. The military suppression is a social humiliation and a deeply felt betrayal for the people of Raya’s contribution to the struggle against the genocidal war that once bound Tigray together. On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the Mehoni Electric Power employees were brutally assaulted, battered, and hospitalised by the TPLF’s armed forces, claiming to be the protectors of the people. President Lt. General Tadesse Werede’s armed forces walked into the district and mayoral offices to confiscate stamps and carried out intimidating actions against employees. The armed forces are silencing the people of Raya using intimidation and lethal force. The use of lethal force is pushing the people of Raya to protest and use force to defend themselves from the TPLF’s repression.
The people of Raya are now calling for the return of their elected representatives to their official duties and the restoration of the people of Raya’s fundamental rights to ensure peace in the region. This demand for democratic governance reflects a broader desire for accountability and representation, which has been sorely lacking under the TPLF repressive regime for the last 34 years.
On Thursday, July 24, 2025, a delegation of Raya’s elders, custodians of a proud Raya cultural and historical identity, travelled to Mekelle to voice their concern to the Interim President, Lt. General Tadesse Werede and demand for their constitutional rights and peace to be restored. The Raya delegation stated to the local independent media, “We were not being heard. Our elected representatives must be returned to their duties. We are not going to be led by leaders we did not elect. We are not safe.” They hoped for dialogue, but their voices were met with silence.
It is crucial that President Lt. General Tadesse Werede listen to the voices of the people and honour their democratic rights and aspirations for peace and stability. This course of action prevents the tensions from escalating into conflict.
The way forward for the Interim Administration is to commit to a genuine engagement and dialogue with the people of Raya. The Interim Administration must maintain and respect the people of Raya’s rights. The internal division may result in diminishing the survival of Tigrayans. Respecting the people’s democratic rights can bring people to work together. This approach will not only strengthen the unity of the Tigrayan people in defending Tigray from the impending war to come but also pave the way to rebuild an independent Tigray.
Therefore, President Lt. General Tadesse Werede must fulfil his responsibility and accountability to the people of Tigray in upholding the constitutional order and respecting the people’s democratic rights, not the interests of one party. General Tadesse must immediately and unconditionally withdraw the armed forces from civilian institutions, halt the human rights abuses in Raya, and reinstate the legitimate zonal representatives elected by the people. This commitment to democratic principles will not only foster a sense of belonging among all Tigrayans but also encourage active participation in the good governance process. By ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and everyone’s right is respected, the administration can cultivate an environment of trust and collaboration, essential for Tigray’s long-term stability and prosperity.
Credit Tigri TV: The People of Raya protested against President Lt. General Tadesse Werede’s the zonal and district elected leadership change and replacing them with the appointed individuals (ፕሬዝደንት ጊዚያዊ ምምሕዳር ትግራይ ሌጀነራል ታደሰ ወረደ ኣብ ራያ ንዝገበርዎ ናይ መሪሕነት ምትዕርራይ ብምቅዋም ሰለማዊ ሰልፊ ተኻይዱ::)
After protesting peacefully en masses today, the people of Raya have won their democratic rights peacefully against the backwardness and authoritarian rule of the TPLF splinter group. The elected representatives have reinstated to their public duties. Today, July 25, 2025 (18 ሓምለ 2017 ዓ.ም.), must be remembered as a victory day for democracy in Tigray.
Likewise, the people of Enderta, Tembein, Agame, Wukro, Adawa, Aksum, and Shire must learn the lesson from the people of Raya and demand for their democratic rights to be respected. ያዒስ ህዝቢ ራያ!
Credit TMH: Haftu Kiros speaking to his people on his return to his office by the peaceful protests against his removal from office by President Lt. General Tadesse Werede.