[By Bereket Kiros]
First, I must admit I cannot keep up with the rapid political developments in Tigray that unfold moment by moment. Often, events in Ethiopia seem to outpace our ability to write and comment as part of our civic duties. It has become increasingly hard for someone like me, living in the USA, to stay abreast of such intense changes in Ethiopia.
This situation isn’t one where Tigrawot’s needs are perfectly clear. Millions of Tigrawot who cherish for their identity as an integral part of Ethiopia are more committed than ever to the Prosperity Party. Recognizing these realities is essential because ignoring them won’t help us move past the political deadlock and won’t foster meaningful dialogue to support the democratic aspirations of Tigrawot and all Ethiopians.
There is little time to debate Tigray’s future. In the past week, I’ve seen enough to prove the serious political and social issues confronting Tigray. Due to the six-armed-groups alliance’s faulty policies and the political alliance known as Tsemedo, a significant divide has formed within the disaffected Diaspora. I have consistently supported critics of this system and have held the TPLF leadership responsible for initiating and executing this damaging policy that can put the people of Tigray to extinction and erase Tigray from the map.
Broken glass can never be restored to its original form; trust is like glass once broken, it may be fixed, but it will never look the same. Similarly, if a well-organized group experiences a major breach of trust, it may struggle to maintain its initial strength. The TPLF leadership has made serious mistakes that cannot be easily corrected. They must step down or be removed by force to save Tigray so we can work together to build a new democratic and visionary leadership. This step is essential to move forward, which brings hope, unity, and development.
Tigray’s underdevelopment stems largely from a single party’s dominance, which suppresses new ideas, drives educated people to leave (brain drain), and prevents us from correcting faulty policies. Why do evil people rise to power in Tigray? Why haven’t our moral standards been strong enough to stop criminals from becoming leaders? Is our enlightenment too low or too limited to prevent manipulation by malicious individuals? Could it be that many Tigrawot support any victory achieved through evil means, as long as there is a victory—similar to doping in sports to win?
Relying solely on a protest vote to form a government poses significant risks. It lacks the capacity to lead the transition to a provisional government responsible for organizing a new election after a year-long preparatory period, during which political groups can reassess their party structures. This scenario demands visionary leadership, diplomacy, courage, selflessness, and foresight from all political actors.
Our collective voice underscores the importance of justice, accountability, peace, and recognizing the rights of all citizens affected by the conflict and displacement. We must demand that the international community and national authorities work together to ensure justice and accountability are served and that constructive dialogue and meaningful actions are taken to heal and rehabilitate the wounds inflicted upon the people of Tigray during and after the genocidal war. The TPLF made serious errors by failing to safeguard Tigray and its people, resulting in suffering, displacement, imprisonment, killings, and heinous human rights abuses. The impact was not only physical but also damaging to Tigray’s rich culture, history, and customs.
Now, Debretsion—once linked to detrimental policies—is again using familiar rhetoric and rekindling emotions of the past glories. The Pretoria Peace Agreement represented a missed opportunity to bring about peace and restore Tigray’s territorial integrity and returned the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) if the COHA was properly implemented, but the TPLF abandoned it to prioritize power. Furthermore, the TPLF leadership, arguing the agreement is invalid, has dismantled the Interim Administration, resulting in new conflict erupting again. Very sad!!
According to the Commission of Inquiry on Tigray Genocide report, the foot soldiers committed rape and sexual violence against women and girls; such acts must be accountable. The report indicates that the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) account for 55.63% of the Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) perpetrated against Tigray women and girls, followed by 35.78% for the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), 5.75% for Amhara forces, and 0.07% for Afar forces. Co-perpetration of SGBV by ENDF, EDF, Amhara, and Afar forces accounts for 2.89% of total GBV. Let us use the inquiry data presented by the Commission of Inquiry on Tigray Genocide as a basis, which shows that the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) account for 55.63% of the Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) perpetrated against Tigray women and girls. Supporters of Tsemedo fail to mention this and heap their biases toward Tigray Peace forces, who are aligned with the ENDF.
To build a brighter future for Tigray, we must learn from our past mistakes and understand our history. Learning from the successes and challenges of those before us helps us avoid repeating the same mistakes. Let’s use history as a creative tool to help us solve tomorrow’s problems. We shouldn’t let our past hold us back or define us. It’s so important that we talk to each other openly and kindly, especially when facing political and economic challenges. After all, our safety and well-being as a nation depend on how well we work together and support each other.
This situation appears to represent a new beginning for everyone involved. Although certain individuals have inflicted more harm upon Tigray than others, a change in perspective is essential—from perceiving ourselves as victims to adopting a stance of empowerment. Regardless of past events, we all bear some degree of responsibility.
My recommendation is to approach with caution—not to isolate our ideal in the rebuilding of Tigray but to demonstrate Tigray’s potential for greatness as broadly as possible. We will become a distinguished people and nation that uphold the rule of law and humanity to ensure our prosperity.
The article’s main aim is to inspire reflection rather than demand a definitive answer. Every Tigrawai should feel motivated to engage with issues that reflect our diverse commitments to one another. Those with broad perspectives and valuable insights should voice their opinions and encourage others to participate without fear of criticism or disrespect.
Our collective well-being hinges upon this. Remaining silent is neither advantageous nor constructive; it lets a few assertive voices dominate the discourse and compromise our shared objectives. By participating actively in ways aligned with our shared aspirations, we can counter misinformation, shape our own narratives, and ultimately build a stronger consensus. Our sole remaining course of action is to assert our constitutional rights both legally and vigorously under the present leadership.
We must recognize that not all opinions carry equal weight. Individuals fortunate enough to share their ideas or advocate for the voiceless often offer a word or phrase meant to ease fears, reinforce faith, share information, correct misconceptions, address injustices, or dispel doubts. Such ideas can inspire others, sometimes motivating individuals to transcend apathy or encouraging them to reconsider for the collective good.
እዋናውን ተጠላብን