[By Bereket Kiros ]
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King Jr.
The social media platforms reflect a wide spectrum of opinions and once again become a forum for the clash of ideas. It seems that some of the critics are reading their own thoughts. In other words, whatever was written and read in many diverse ways, individuals are using it to vent their frustration, or it has become a divisive lightning rod for all kinds of ideas.
Of course, neither assumption reflects my intention. Moreover, I urge all those good people back home and elsewhere in the world to pay close attention to the current political fiasco. I want it to be clearly understood that I was not selecting facts to fit my argument and the conclusion thereof.
I did not undermine the efforts of some writers’ opinions; even though few opinions sound like a preacher, their attempt to bury facts and to take a conciliatory position, I disagree respectfully.
However, I would like to underscore the fact that the suffering of Tegaru did not start yesterday; it is a product of bad governance and also a stagnant, exhausted, and repressive political system built in Tigray that was blindly forced against our interests, freedom, and liberty. Even when it comes to our own Diaspora politics, what I read from the vociferous and often severe statements of critics is their uncalled-for Awraja slurs and trash language. Even if political power by some miracle is transferred to those who endlessly insult, demonise, and dehumanise those who are in power, there will not be much of a democracy in Tigray or much of economic development either.
I realise that most Tegaru here in the Diaspora (in the United States, Canada, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe) or back home are in pain and agony, more fearful than ever, about the fate of our Tigray. Just reading the comments, some have expressed heartbreaking disappointment. They felt Getachew Reda and Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) abandoned them, the last persons they expected to do so.
TPLF supporters are continuing to condemn Getachew Reda, blaming him for trying to dismantle the TPLF, but they have not condemned Debretsion for calling ጉባኤ by breaking the party’s rules. The TPLF leadership behaviour to manipulate its governing rules to stay in power will not do good for the TPLF itself. The TPLF leadership is destroying the party. The people of Tigray are distancing themselves from supporting the TPLF, as they feel betrayed and abandoned by the actions and priorities taken by the TPLF leadership.
Only after such honest acknowledgement could we be able to work with a system of government that will help us to take the opportunities and responsibilities as one people. I am trying to move us towards a better understanding of our past and not to sweep it all under the carpet as if nothing had happened in Tigray, in particular the bad governance, lack of democracy, accountability, and repressive political system built in Tigray by the TPLF. Transparency, accountability, and democracy will help us remove all kinds of entrenched personal interests and all of their residual. This is a process of painful and sincere actions we need to take to reform the corrupt political and economic system that has swamped Tigray for over 30 years and rebuild free and prosperous Tigray for all.
The betrayal of the TPLF leadership has become clear to the people of Tigray, as the TPLF leadership chose to save the party first before saving the people of Tigray. The people of Tigray have now started to say no to the TPLF’s corrupt and repressive political system (revolutionary democracy ideology). The reform of TPLF’s revolutionary democracy is overdue and ought to end in Tigray. The TPLF must recognise that reform to its political ideology is the only way to its survival. Otherwise, TPLF’s survival will be over by its political decay.
I urge all Tegaru to learn from our past experience of the corrupt and unaccountable TPLF administration and our monumental mistakes. I appeal to all Tegaru not to jump into supporting any group without adequate knowledge. We should not rush to wear the old political vestment—it does not serve the people of Tigray. Instead, we should stand with the people of Tigray. No time to gloat over the mistake we have made, but let this be a lesson to all and the time to mobilise all to save Tigray from the jaws of our enemies. It is time to bring foresighted and visionary leadership.
We, Tegaru, can’t afford to put the peace, security, and welfare of our people at risk. If the Pretoria COHA collapses, the people of Tigray will suffer more at the hands of the genocidaires. No Tigrayan wants to see this happening. We must prevent the political chaos from escalating further into bitter power struggles that can divide the people into the respective warring factions.
At present, we all have a clear picture of President Getachew Reda, Tigray Interim Regional Administration, and his administration’s full responsibilities to lead Tigray. On the other hand, Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael, TPLF Chairman, should lead his party and stop interfering in the interim administration work.
Henceforth, there can be no excuse to support or sympathise with such irresponsibility by those who engage in to undermine the work of the interim administration to implement the Pretoria COHA. This is a call for all Tegaru to stand with the people of Tigray. This is a call to all brave sons and sisters of Tigray who are duped into believing by the TPLF leadership we thought that they are serving the people Tigray interests to wake up and see a new reality. On the contrary, we have seen a power struggle in middle of genocidal war. Tigray does not deserve them. No party deserves no one support if works against the will and survival of people.
Rebellion against such treasonous and unaccountable leadership is a noble act of heroism and patriotism. The people of Tigray have one enemy right within that is fighting to stay in power no matter what. The other enemies (genocidaires) are waiting to exploit the division and continue to implement their unfinished genocidal project.
There are serious differences in some of the rhetoric used now by the same individuals to preach peace in the absence of justice and accountability. Shamefully, some of the rhetoric by some of the so-called TPLF leadership and its supporters uses narrow Awraja narratives and lies to continue with the undemocratic political system that cost us over a million lives. What we have is a far more fractured society than at any time in Tigray’s modern history.
Our mission should be to demand in unison the rule of law, accountability, justice, democracy, good governance, the preservation of the territorial integrity of Tigray, and the safeguarding of individual human rights of every Tigrawit/Tigrawi irrespective of status, religion, or gender. Our work must ensure that no political organisation or individual politicians exert any influence on TDF.
I urge all Tegaru to learn from our past experience of the corrupt and unaccountable TPLF administration and our monumental mistakes. I appeal to all Tegaru not to jump into supporting any group without adequate knowledge. We should not rush to wear the old repressive political vestment—the people of Tigray do not deserve this. Instead, we should stand with the people of Tigray to bring about freedom, liberty and democracy. No time to gloat over the mistake we have made, but let this be a lesson to all and the time to mobilise all to save Tigray from the jaws of our enemies. It is time to bring forsighted and visionary leadership. We can’t afford to put the peace, security, and welfare of our people at risk. If the Pretoria COHA collapses, the people of Tigray will suffer more.
At present, we all have a clear picture of President Getachew Reda, Tigray Interim Regional Administration, and his administration’s full responsibilities to lead Tigray. On the other hand, Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael, TPLF Chairman, should lead his party and stop interfering in the interim administration work. Henceforth, there can be no excuse to support or sympathise with such irresponsibility by those who engage in to undermine the work of the interim administration to implement the Pretoria COHA. This is a call for all Tegaru to stand with the people of Tigray. This is a call to all brave sons and sisters of Tigray who are duped into believing by those we thought that they are serving Tigray to wake up and see a new reality. Tigray does not serve them.
Rebellion against such treasonous and unaccountable leadership is a noble act of heroism and patriotism. The people of Tigray have one enemy right now within that is fighting to stay in power no matter what. The other enemies (genocidaires) are waiting to exploit the division and continue to implement their unfinished genocidal project.
There are serious differences in some of the rhetoric used now by the same individuals to preach peace in the absence of justice and accountability. Shamefully, some of the rhetoric by some of the so-called TPLF leadership and its supporters uses narrow awaraja narratives and lies to promote and continue with the undemocratic political system that cost us over a million lives. What we have is a far more fractured society than at any time in Tigray’s modern history. Our mission should be the unity of Tegaru to demand the rule of law, accountability, justice, democracy, good governance, the preservation of the territorial integrity of Tigray, and the safeguarding of individual human rights of every Tigrawit/Tigrawi irrespective of status, religion, or gender. Our work must ensure that no political organisation or individual politicians exert any influence on TDF.
Thousands of Tegaru have suffered much in the hands of the leadership, millions more who did not make it, dying on battlefields, being murdered and tortured to death, or dying of starvation. I felt great empathy daily with my broken body. This phenomenon is contributing to exasperation due to the policies of personal interests and corruption for over 30 years. This must end now, and accountability must prevail for the next generation to have a peaceful, prosperous, and free Tigray.
Tigray is suffering from serious handicaps of leadership to lead the people of Tigray and rebuild Tigray. I hope the TPLF leadership will listen to the people of Tembein, Agame, Raya, Enderta, IDPs and learn from its dreadful mistakes, betrayal, and neglect of its duty to the people of Tigray.
The people of Tigray will accept no more deception, political corruption and maladministration. We have seen the frustration, dismay, and betrayal of the TPLF felt by the people of Tembein, Agame, Raya, and Enderta in the last few days. The TPLF must apologise for the people of Tigray, ask for their forgiveness, and accept a genuine democracy, rule of law, accountability, justice, and good governance if it will continue as the people’s party.
With that in mind, let me say that it is always premature to conclude an essay of this sort with any kind of last thoughts. I would rather keep this dialogue open-ended. Having said that, I do not mind recouping some of the essential points here I tried to share with the people of Tigray and the leadership.
1. Tigray territories should be returned to the pre-genocidal war in November 2020. Amhara and Eritrean forces, including Amhara new settlers, must leave Tigray territories. All IDPs should be returned to their homes. No compromise on the territorial integrity of Tigray and this should be the red line for the Interim Administration, TPLF, and for the people of Tigray.
2. The transfer of power to a more capable leader ought to happen in two stages: firstly, the Interim administration should be inclusive to include the opposition parties and civil societies and lead coherently to implement the Pretoria peace agreement. Secondly, Interim Administration must prepare a roadmap for democratic elections, that will be free and fair.
3. The political parties within Tigray must work freely without any restriction. The Diaspora should encourage the opposition political parties and help them to build a competitive and peaceful political atmosphere to campaign and struggle for democracy, good governance, and economic development on the ground in Tigray.
4. Tegaru must reject those who collaborate with the genocidal forces, i.e., the Eritrean government and Amhara forces.
5. Tigray is surrounded by hostile enemies led by genocidaires. We, Tegaru, must work together in unison to bring those who committed genocide against the people of Tigray. This is the time of great anxiety for all Tegaru. Justice and accountability must be in all Tegaru minds at all times. There is much to be done, as the saying goes. Time and tide wait for no man.
To conclude my peace of writing, the people of Tigray want peace and are voicing their desire for the Pretoria peace agreement to be implemented fully. No party should oppose the will of the people. We, all Tegaru, should look at our primary problems and find solutions for them together. Our unity is one of our greatest assets that scares and defeats our enemies. We ought to keep our unity at any cost. Let’s support the people of Tigray’s to have good governance, accountability, justice, and democracy to better build Tigray what is needed now and for the future generation of Tigray.