By Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group, Mekelle, Tigray
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), with its outdated communist ideology, remains one of the last vestiges of such a political and military system globally. In stark contrast to modern democratic frameworks, the TPLF’s commissariat, rooted in archaic Marxist-Leninist practices, continues to dominate the leadership of the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF). This misguided ideology has not only hindered progress but also poses a significant threat to the stability of Tigray and the broader Horn of Africa.
Illegal Statements by the TPLF’s Commissariat Against Tigray’s Interim Government and the Pretoria Peace Agreement
The recent illegal press release by the TPLF-TDF commissariat against the Tigray Interim Government and the Pretoria Peace Agreement is a blatant violation of national, regional, and international law. Such actions are a clear demonstration of ignorance and arrogance, revealing the commissariat’s inability to comprehend the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa following the genocide in Tigray.
It is a sad day for Tigray. The statements undermine:
- The legitimacy of the Tigray Interim Government, established to lead Tigray toward peace and recovery.
- The Pretoria Peace Agreement, a carefully negotiated settlement aimed at ending the conflict and stabilising the region.
- International norms and laws, highlighting their disregard for the principles of sovereignty, peace, and reconciliation.
The Role of the TDF’s Military Leadership in Propagating Failed Ideologies
The TDF military leadership has become an instrument of the failed TPLF political ideology. Political commissars, modelled after outdated systems like those of the Soviet Union and the Chinese Communist Party, have infiltrated military ranks. These commissars, tasked with enforcing political control over military operations, are relics of a bygone era, now abolished even in countries like Russia.
Their actions threaten to:
- Escalate to Total War: By opposing the peace process, they risk reigniting full-scale conflict.
- Trigger a Civil War in Tigray: The division between military leaders and the civilian government could lead to devastating internal strife.
- Isolate Tigray: Politically, diplomatically, and economically, Tigray risks becoming a pariah if it continues to act against international agreements.
Hypocrisy and Betrayal
The TPLF-TDF commissariat’s failure to address critical issues, such as the ongoing occupation of over 52 Tigrayan districts by Eritrean forces, is both hypocritical and a betrayal of Tigray’s people. Despite evidence, including Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki’s admission of genocidal intentions against Tigrayans, the commissariat remains silent, revealing potential collusion with Tigray’s greatest adversary.
Critical Questions for the Commissars
How can you justify aligning with the Eritrean regime, which has openly declared genocidal intentions against Tigrayans?
Why do you remain silent on the occupation of Tigrayan territories by Eritrean forces?
How does your outdated ideology blind you to the realities on the ground and the suffering of your people?
The Danger of a Broken Chain of Command
If the TDF military leadership continues to act independently of the civilian government, it will lead to a complete breakdown of the chain of command. Such a scenario would:
- Render the Interim Government powerless, undermining its authority.
- Create chaos within the TDF, as soldiers may reject orders from higher-ups.
- Deepen internal divisions, paving the way for civil war and further destabilisation.
The Way Forward
To avert disaster, Tigray must:
- Support the Interim Government: Strengthen its authority and legitimacy by unifying all political and military factions under its leadership.
- Enhance the Negotiation Team: Assemble experts to ensure the full implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
- Engage Internationally: Pressurise the Ethiopian federal government through diplomatic channels, leveraging the support of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other signatories of the peace agreement.
- Condemn and Dismantle the Commissariat System: The TPLF-TDF commissariat must be disbanded to align the military with democratic principles and civilian oversight.
Warnings to the TPLF-TDF Commissariat
War Is Unwinnable:
- Any attempt to reignite conflict will lead to unparalleled devastation, with no victors.
- Illegality of Actions: You have no legal mandate to revive the TPLF as a political entity. Doing so violates national, regional, and international laws.
- Historical Accountability: Siding with the genocidal Eritrean regime is a betrayal that history will not forgive.
Monitoring and Analysis
Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group is closely observing the situation, particularly:
- The potential for a breakdown in the chain of command.
- The actions of the commissariat and their impact on the peace process.
- The humanitarian and political consequences of continued TPLF interference.
The TPLF’s communist legacy is a relic of a failed ideology that has no place in the modern world. Its commissariat, through ignorance and arrogance, threatens the fragile peace in Tigray.
The people of Tigray, having endured unimaginable suffering, deserve a future of peace, stability, and progress.
It is time for the TDF leadership to break free from the chains of outdated ideologies, respect the Interim Government, and embrace the path of reconciliation. The world is watching, and history will judge harshly those who choose division over unity and war over peace. The only way forward is to support the peace process and work toward a brighter future for Tigray.