Middle Level Commanders
Tigray Defence Force (TDF)
From the Central Authority of Systemic Change Middle Level Commanders of TDF
National Struggle for Systemic Change in Tigray
As Tigrayans we have been victims of repeated genocidal aggressions and we have been able to defend ourselves with all its shortcomings; our fundamental demands are self-determination and self-rule; by assuring justice and accountability in our struggles, we have made our fight a just one.
The reason we haven’t followed a path of revenge for all the genocidal wars waged up on us is because the fundamental principle of our struggle have been justice and fairness.
We are proud of the fact that we have always avoided revenge; but because we haven’t pursued a path of building systemic capabilities that could guarantee to avoid the repeat of such aggressions instead of just reacting as the dangers came, this has created a major challenge to building institutions.
As a result of this institutional failure we are constantly bickering and attacking each other.
The worst part is as we oppose and fight against outside oppression, and we accept the oppressions that come from within.
A similar pattern is seen in the current war we are facing. We have campaigned in unity to defend ourselves from the genocidal war and we have militarily prevailed; but as we fail to pursue liberty from within, the power in control of our security capabilities is changing into an oppressive ruling power.
This power is engaged in wasting Tigray’s national potentials and becoming a roadblock to building institutions. To add insult to injury it has been immersed in internal divisions and power struggles that resulted in making alignments with the genocidal forces themselves in order to gain and stay in power. The result of these unprincipled connections is making Tigray remain without any legitimate state apparatus and become prone to disunity and further conflicts.
In addition to this grave danger, this power of oppression has created opportunities that serve the genocidal forces making Tigray more vulnerable and suffer a further cycle of war and sufferings.
As a result,
First, in order save Tigray from danger of national disintegration;
Second, to stop and reverse the silent but continued human, psychological and material losses and sufferings;
Third, to save Tigray from becoming center of conflict and focus on our dreams that we paid dearly with our lives;
This demands us to bring systemic change.
Fundamental Aims of National Struggle for Systemic Change in Tigray
- To politically empower the people and make them own their national resources: Political power and control of national resources must come out of the hands of the oppressive ruling power. A new national assembly of Tigray must be established based on district and sub-district levels.
- Own the Pretoria Agreement and return the popular struggle to the people: Establishing transitional national assembly that will implement the Pretoria Agreement based on the national interest of Tigray which will stop the continued sufferings and silent genocide.
- Creating the conditions to materialize dreams of our generation: Under the transitional national assembly a government will be established that will answer to the people which will enable us in realizing the dreams and ambitions of generations past and present.
- Institutional and missions reform of TDF: The TDF that has stopped the genocidal war has been hijacked by party politics. This puts it in grave danger. In order to save this national force and make it a national protector of Tigray, it will have to be under the transitional national assembly and its mission will be determined by this assembly and will be reformed.
Principles of National Struggle for Systemic Change in Tigray
1. Nationalism
Above all should come the basic national interests of Tigray, based on this nationalism will be our first principle. So, having goodwill towards our fellow nationals should dictate all our activities.
2. Justice
Our struggle is for the establishment of a just system; so, we have to make all our movements just and be just in our private lives as well. As a result, no harm shall be done to our fellow national; all should be handled by law.
3. Rule of law
Our demand for justice is fulfilled by building a system based on the rule of law. As such, the only way to fulfill the demand for justice and democracy is to practically empower the people.
key actions of National Struggle for Systemic Change in Tigray
1. Free TDF from forces of oppression
TDF paid dearly to save Tigray from the genocidal war of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The power of oppression in Tigray has tried to hijack TDF and use it as an instrument for its party political missions and other interests. This has sawed fracture within and wasted national potentials. In addition, in order to escape from being held responsible it has aligned with Eritrean PFDJ and is taking Tigray into the quagmire of regional geopolitics.
So, we freedom fighters should not be such instruments and save ourselves and our nation.
Comrades in positions of command, from top to bottom, liberate yourself and your unit from the control of this force of oppression and become part of National Struggle for Systemic Change in Tigray.
We, national fighters of liberation, who are your comrades, ask you to join our movement and the connections we have created, and promise you that we will create a favorable condition for such action.
2. Liberating and preserving our areas
This decisive action primarily is for the veterans. You should join all associations of veterans at all levels and create your own organizations as well and by communication with senior officers engage in activities of liberating your areas.
3. Active national participation
All Tigrayans in general and specifically our comrade veterans should have active participation in realizing a Tigrayan State and Tigrayan Nation State, in taking back our national resources. We must create organizations that will empower the people and be foundation for secure and just institutional capabilities. Societal organizations institutions, community movements, diaspora Tigrayans, private medias and businesses, intellectuals, and community elders will have a major role.
Central Authority of Systemic Change
Middle Level Commanders of TDF
2025
TDF
Download the full press statement in PDF format: A Call for the Struggle of Tigray’s National Freedom
ምሉእ ጋዜጣዊ መግለጺ ብትግርኛ: ፃውዒት ቃልሲ ካብ ማእኸል መአዘዚ ሥርዓታዊ ለውጢ