FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To Editorial Desks at NBC’s Documentary and Domestic Ethiopian Media Outlets
Since the genocide war, Shaebia has reportedly violated highly sensitive security protocols, raising serious concerns among Ethiopians. Eritrea’s Shaebia has also been accused of persistent acts of sabotage, including terrorist activities carried out by organized, trained cells in coordination with various adversaries of Ethiopia, with the aim of weakening or destabilizing the country. Alongside the dissemination of extensive fabricated propaganda, these activities have become a regular feature of the Eritrean dictator’s political conduct.
Broad generalizations that equate the people of Tigray with the entrenched political-military leadership of the TPLF can be inaccurate and may hinder lasting stability. As the Horn of Africa faces significant security developments, media coverage can help by clearly distinguishing between weary civilians seeking recovery and a small faction pursuing renewed conflict.
After years of devastating warfare, most of Tigray’s 7.5 million citizens want to move toward a more peaceful future, free from militarism and forced conscription. They’re focused on peace, accountability, fair and effective institutions, and lasting economic development—not on being drawn into geopolitical proxy conflicts.
This widespread rejection of the old political order is increasingly evident in communities, where public support for the Tigray Peace Force (TPF) and its joint operations with the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is growing. Formed by reform-minded Tigrayans opposed to one-party military rule, the TPF reflects a local call to separate military institutions from partisan oligarchs and to protect communities from further harm.
Furthermore, international and domestic reporting should closely examine the destabilizing role of external spoilers. The people of Tigray have strongly resisted being drawn into the so-called “Tsemedo” coalition—an opportunistic alignment linking TPLF hardliners with armed insurgents and orchestrated by the Eritrean regime in Asmara. Having endured immense atrocities at the hands of Eritrean forces, Tigrayans view any tactical pact engineered by Asmara not as a path to liberation but as a recipe for continued chaos that could keep Ethiopia divided and weak.
Our recommendation for media coverage:
- Please avoid broad generalizations by clearly distinguishing Tigray’s civilian population from the hardline TPLF faction or the extremist political cult masquerading in the streets of Europe and North America.
- Recognize local agency: The emergence of the Tigray Peace Force and civilians’ resistance to the mobilization of foot soldiers reflect Tigrayans’ active commitment to peace, justice, and sustainable development.
- Help readers understand the geopolitical agendas behind the Tsemedo coalition and the Eritrean regime’s ongoing efforts to undermine regional peace and development through clear, accurate reporting.
A meaningful show of solidarity with the people of Tigray begins with listening to their call for normalcy, democratic reform, and peaceful coexistence within Ethiopia. Ensuring that those responsible for the war, both inside Tigray and in Asmara, are held accountable is vital to building lasting peace across the region.
Ethiopia’s strength comes not from international media or foreign powers but from its people, culture, and pride. Together, Ethiopians can help protect the nation’s dignity and sovereignty against any attempt to undermine them. In this context, we encourage Ethiopian and Tigrayan scholars and writers to separate Tigray’s civilians from the TPLF oligarchs and speak out and highlight the impact on Ethiopia’s stability.