O[By a concerned Tigrawai]
Current TPLF-aligned supporters, including retired ministers and ambassadors, who identify themselves as representatives of Tigray, are making increasingly urgent efforts to preserve the TPLF. In a formal letter, they ask the U.S. Secretary of State, Macro Rubio, to take a balanced approach to Ethiopia’s conflict by distinguishing opposition groups from separatists and ensuring accountability. The letter also questions Secretary Rubio’s description of opposition forces as “separatists,” noting that the label does not reflect their stated goals. Given the letter’s critique of Secretary Rubio’s characterization of opposition forces as “separatists” and the strong reaction it generated for them, we may want to set that discussion aside and instead emphasize the importance of an honest assessment of the causes and accountability in promoting regional stability.
We are tired of the same divisive rhetoric from retired and rejected ex-ministers and ex-diplomats, whose narrow perspectives risk alienating the people of Tigray from more constructive voices. We, Tigrayans, can no longer tolerate the tactics of retired diplomats who claim to represent the TPLF rejected by the people and wage a propaganda campaign to undermine the democratization process the Tigrayan people are pursuing. These efforts seem to have unsettled the TPLF, prompting it to resort to scheming tactics that undermine peace and stability in Ethiopia.
Those retired ministers and diplomats can sometimes find themselves dwelling on the past, a past shaped for many by grief, fear, and anger. As Hannah Arendt observed, “time does not run backward.” Still, some in our community continue to carry grievances and personal vendettas dating back fifty years or more. Unfortunately, without these feelings shaping their words, some may feel they have little else to say. To make each interaction more meaningful, a seasoned diplomat can thoughtfully distinguish between the personal, the political, and the international.
Thankfully, through the grace of the mighty Lord, their misleading metaphor has neither deceived us nor diminished the quiet strength of truth. The people of Tigray’s ability to reason continues to draw hope, peace, and democratic commitment. Every form of political action and movement, whether peaceful or armed, may be needed to help Tigray recover and support its people in seeking freedom from one of this century’s most oppressive and totalitarian regimes, the TPLF.
The ex-ministers and retired diplomats living in comfort in democratic counties are waging a disinformation campaign, trying to deceive the diaspora and elected officials in the USA. We have already seen enough to understand how far they are willing to go to seize power. This ill-advised campaign is part of an orchestrated, misguided, and misplaced assault that harms our unity. The Tigray diaspora community cannot remain a bystander as retired diplomats attempt to revive the TPLF’s failed politics and repressive rule. Cheating, running highly sophisticated political frauds, and stealing Tigrai’s resources will not advance the TPLF’s causes.
Despite the rhetoric about divisions among the TPLF leadership, Tigray remains far from an inclusive, peaceful political process, given the retired diplomats’ blind deceptive appeal to Secretary Rubio. In other words, political forgiveness is possible only if we separate personal matters from public ones and work together toward the people of Tigray’s interest. We set personal ambitions aside for Tigray’s peace, security, and development.
By taking decisive action on these matters, the international community demonstrates its commitment to peace, justice, accountability, and human rights. It must remain alert to the perspectives of retired diplomats who served the totalitarian and oppressive TPLF regime. Efforts should concentrate on creating a new peace framework that reflects the current realities on the ground, the Pretoria Agreement, and the Ethiopian Constitution. This framework should prioritize the rights and aspirations of the Tigrayan people, including those in Western Tigray, currently administered by Amhara authorities, an arrangement reportedly maintained by force, which is against the Ethiopian Constitution.
Those entrusted with national responsibility constantly risk making the wrong decision, which makes seeking counsel so important. As the Good Book says, “For a lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” We should remain open to all the counsel available to us—and then act. To paraphrase Lord Tennyson, it is better to act and fail than not to act at all. I believe we can overcome this impasse by combining our community’s resources, focusing on a select number of key issues, and presenting them clearly and persuasively. As the saying goes, “If you know your enemy and know yourself, you will always win.” Of course, not everyone has the expertise to explain legal matters or issues related to diplomacy, politics, culture, and public relations. Despite these differing views, I, as a private citizen, unlike the former minsters and ambassadors and TPLF operatives, am deeply concerned about the possibility of the TPLF leading Tigray in another bid to regain power. The people of Tigray have already endured thirty-five years of repression, maladministration, gross human rights abuses, and treasonous activities of the TPLF.
Recognizing the problem is an important first step—and a great place to begin planning for change. For this reason, those with experience in these areas should step forward and support the nation during this uncertain period. They should not seek to exploit the current situation in Tigray for personal gain at the expense of a party on the verge of death. Any political compromise or accommodation must exclude the current TPLF leadership from all future peace settlements.
In Tigray, the TPLF has virtually looted and destroyed the economic sectors, institutions of higher education, industries, hospitals, and government properties and released hardened criminals to terrorize the population. Over eight hundred federal and state vehicles, including ambulances, were transferred to Eritrea. Where are the voices of those retired diplomats? Since they have not clearly addressed the crimes committed or how they were carried out, we will shoulder the historical responsibility of exposing the facade behind their deceptive and disinformation letter to the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
If, instead, Tigrayans turn against one another and spread misinformation in our communities and the international community, it could trigger a devastating civil war and an unprecedented tragedy in the history of Tigray and Ethiopia. Those of us who love our country and our people must work together to prevent such a painful outcome. Tigrayans should engage with one another across a broader and more diverse peaceful dialogue, enabling Tigray to become a peaceful, secure, vibrant, and strong state.
Please read the letter from the former Ethiopian ministers and ambassadors to Secretary Rubio’s remarks on Ethiopia and Eritrea