[By Tadesse Gebremariam]
The ongoing displacement of farmers from their ancestral lands compelled me to write and illustrate the growing unrest directed at the TPLF administration. Having to move can be much more than losing your belongings and income—it can also break important cultural and spiritual connections that matter a lot to you. These individuals persistently sought justice, yet their pleas went unanswered. Consider the events surrounding the Addis Ababa grand plan, during which thousands of Oromos were displaced with little compensation. They did not give up or stay quiet; instead, they came together and stood strong, and their efforts led to the EPRDF’s replacement. Although poverty and backwardness are real challenges, the situation for the people of Tigray was worsened by the devastating TPLF policy, which forcibly displaced many peasants from Enderta and Raya from their ancestral lands. Displacement affects more than just material possessions.
The internal displacement of the Enderta and Raya populations and the safeguarding of their human rights constitute some of the most urgent concerns in contemporary global affairs. The regions of Enderta and Raya report among the highest rates of systematic displacement within Tigray. These displacements have occurred as a consequence of systematic policy development projects initiated by the TPLF. Measuring the cost of the TPLF land policy in Enderta and Raya, in terms of both physical and human capital, has harmed agricultural production and forced the citizens of those regions to beg in the streets of Addis Ababa. Repeated instances of this deliberate policy have led to widespread population displacement.
Despite numerous failures, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has been given leadership opportunities that could have promoted progress in the region. However, these opportunities remain underutilized, leading to negative impacts on Tigray’s people, especially in Enderta and Raya. The TPLF leadership and their armed supporters must be held responsible for the heinous crimes committed against innocent, unarmed civilians in these areas. Such acts of violence and destruction have caused lasting scars on the community and have hampered the region’s pursuit of peace and stability.
The TPLF made serious strategic errors by allowing the destruction of Tigray, causing extensive suffering and displacement. The destruction was both physical and cultural, affecting the shared history and diverse traditions of the people. Currently, Debretsion—who was previously linked to destructive policies—is beginning to use familiar rhetoric and incitement again. The Pretoria Agreement, upon implementation, could have offered a promising prospect, but it vanished due to the TPLF’s pursuit of power. The TPLF leadership, claiming it is null and void, has also begun dismantling the administration established by the federal government.
As distinguished citizens of Enderta and Raya, regions renowned for their exceptional beauty, rich history, and diverse culture, we officially seek justice. Our plea is rooted in the desire for accountability, reconciliation, and the restoration of peace. We believe justice is essential not only for healing the wounds inflicted on our communities but also for fostering a future in which unity and development can thrive.
It is our collective hope that responsible leadership will emerge, prioritizing the well-being of all citizens and respecting the dignity of every individual affected by the conflict. 70 Enderta beautifully stands as a shining symbol of our nation’s rich diversity and strong integrity, reminding us of the importance of unity and cultural pride. Kedemai Wayane upheld our dignity and continues to serve as a beacon of freedom for all Ethiopians. The dedication and love our ancestors had for their land are truly inspiring, and I hope all aspiring politicians from every part of Ethiopia can learn from their wisdom and political savvy.
Our collective voice underscores the importance of justice, peace, and the recognition of the rights of all citizens affected by the conflict and by displacement from their ancestral lands. It is essential that we demand that the international community and national authorities work together to ensure justice is served and that the wounds inflicted on our communities are healed through constructive dialogue and meaningful action.
The federal government faces serious challenges as long as it allows TPLF leaders to continue their disruptive and violent activities throughout Ethiopia. The so-called renegade military generals’ forces are operating openly, carrying out meticulously planned attacks that instill fear in communities and seek to cleanse the Enderta and Raya regions.
Every time I see injustices happening to my people, I feel a deep sense of pain and sadness over the land being taken away and people being forced to leave their homes. It’s heartbreaking to witness how openly TPLF operatives are looting, seizing, and even attacking innocent Endertawot individuals right in the middle of the day. They are also intentionally changing the demographics to push them out of their ancestral lands in the Enderta and Raya regions. I often look for a way to better understand and explain these complex issues. For me, the best comparison is an architectural structure—something that truly captures how the Tigray people serve as the strong foundation that has kept Ethiopia united, even as many other nations have fallen away.
I am not writing to suppress the legitimate political aspirations of any individual within an already existing Tigray state. The TPLF power structure is fundamentally wrong because it creates animosity and division among the people of Tigray Aweraja. We need to work out our solutions to existential issues by talking to each other, not by sending the TPLF’s brutal armed thugs into unarmed communities to murder and loot, as is happening right now in Enderta and the Raya region. Those terrorist criminals, those who organized the attacks, and those political organizations connected to such terrorist acts must be swiftly arrested or liquidated if they resist arrest.