Tigray Political Deadlock: Which Way Forward?

[TLM Perspective]

Tigray Political Deadlock: Which Way Forward?

Fear and bitterness should have no role in our national affairs; the repercussions of silence and hesitation have been severe. We call on every Tigrayan who genuinely cares to demonstrate their commitment through action. We must remain true to our principles—justice, peace, and accountability are what the Tigrayan people deserve. It is time to reject corruption, intimidation, military force, and bad governance.

Honesty and transparency are essential because no strong foundation can be built on weakness. We need the courage to confront the truth about our people’s future, uphold our highest ideals, honor the martyrs, and rekindle our hope. Let us remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: A house divided cannot stand.

We need to build a strong institution where the principles of accountability, responsibility, and transparency are deeply rooted and last beyond any individual or party leadership. In a quickly changing world, what worked before is no longer enough; leadership must adjust to new circumstances. If current leaders want to stay in power, they must improve their performance, reform their party ideology, and listen to the people’s demands to meet their changing needs in free and fair elections.

Leaders who lack vision, knowledge, and flexibility—blinded by their shortcomings—should humbly recognize their faults and adapt for society’s benefit or step aside in favor of more qualified citizens. The people of Tigray, brave fighters, made significant sacrifices for democratization and deserve to have the final say or lead on all key issues, rather than remain passive in the current political drama. This message should be clear, energizing, and inspiring, serving as a foundation for the future.

Tigrai needs a robust civil society capable of fostering new democratic conditions to fight corruption and promote good governance. However, the reality is that any dissent is not tolerated, and the widespread disregard for free thought, freedom of expression, and free press is stifling. Coercion, intimidation, or instilling fear in people cannot lay the foundation for citizens’ democratic rights.

The current situation in Tigray is characterized by abuse of power and corruption among certain public officials, who have, within a short period, accumulated wealth through trading gold, selling aid grain, and owning real estate by displacing peasants from their land. This has led to a significant wealth gap between the ruling class and the poor. Why are individuals allowed to hold the same office repeatedly without accountability or transparency?

To overcome its political shortcomings, the TPLF must openly acknowledge its past errors and apologize to the Tigray people. Subsequently, it should implement key reforms to its political beliefs. These reforms must focus on empowering Tigrayans by creating systems of accountability and transparency that ensure everyone’s voice is heard and respected. Only through these comprehensive changes can the TPLF rebuild trust and build a strong, democratic political system that truly reflects the hopes of the Tigrayan people. Stability depends not only on political strategy but also on addressing the deep-rooted grievances of the Tigrayan people. As the TPLF works to regain trust and foster unity, it may need to adopt a more democratic and inclusive approach focused on dialogue, reconciliation, and collaboration rather than confrontation and slander.

This shift could establish the foundation for more sustainable peace and political stability, enabling various opposition parties to develop a shared vision for Tigray’s future. By forming a broader coalition, the TPLF can repair the divisions it has caused and restore unity among Tigrayans, thereby strengthening the voices of the people. As a result, everyone will be better able to be heard in the political process and decision-making.

This comprehensive political reconciliation must confront past grievances and hold the TPLF accountable for human rights violations and corruption. This approach aims to foster unity, understanding, and cooperation among Tigray’s various political parties. The TPLF should be prepared to accept accountability for its involvement in the genocidal conflict and delays in implementing the Pretoria peace agreement. Such acknowledgment will lay a foundation for enduring peace and reconciliation, encouraging development and prosperity for all Tigrayans. Ultimately, this process allows the people of Tigray to forgive the TPLF by recognizing its mistakes and governance shortcomings both within Tigray and beyond.

The recent alliance with the regime in Asmara no longer satisfies the people of Tigray; it only pleases supporters of the TPLF and online media commentators. Opportunists in the Diaspora are now loudly celebrating the alliance (Tsemedo). Their credibility and trustworthiness are questionable, and their empty rhetoric aims to discredit the dangerous and misguided TPLF policy. As everyone knows, the campaign—often marked by narrow Aweraja undertones—has contributed to division.

The overthrow of the Pretoria Agreement is considered a criminal act. Addressing serious issues through a proper legal system is the correct approach. The use of violence to create fear and threaten security must be dealt with firmly. The people of Tigray should take steps to reduce tensions and use incentives to resolve political differences. We must effectively manage incidents and potential risks and implement preventive measures while upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.

Many who claim to support TPLF in diaspora politics have taken a stance, but they mainly seek to create problems. We must recognize the threat and address it now, while we still can. Unless the bigots and their allies are foolish enough to follow a destructive path by disenfranchising the very people who could help empower them.

The youth of Tigray made significant sacrifices early on to promote peace and stability for all, regardless of the current leadership’s direction. Resentment among us only hampers our political advancement. How can we begin to rebuild the nation if we neglect our present circumstances? Many Tigrayans recognize that yielding to reconciliation can be detrimental. It is imperative to end these divisions—let us unite for the common good and facilitate dialogue on Tigray’s most critical issues. In diaspora politics, there is limited willingness to acknowledge or address the necessity for such engagement. As members of the Tegrawot diaspora, we bear a special responsibility to understand the Tigreans’ predicament and to foster a conversation about reconciliation.

Regardless of opinions on the matter, discussions about reconciliation cannot begin until it is acknowledged. Only then can the enduring Tigrawai/Tigrawaiti tradition of strong moral character be restored. This is also the only way to restore security, peace, and justice to this ancient land we cherish. If we all Tegrawot are not willing to do everything it takes to make peace, then peace will be hard to achieve. As you know, we do not claim to speak for anyone; we evaluate the arguments of critics. We hope many more will benefit from its insights in the years ahead.