[By Tigray Media Watch (TMW) Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group]
ትግራይ ብልያቡ እያ ትመሓዳደር ዘላ – Credit: Tigray TV
The unprecedented crisis is unfolding in Zana District, North-West Tigray Zone, with illegal gold mining exploitation and crimes against the local population, with expanding exploitation reaching neighbouring Adite and other districts in the Central Tigray Zone.
Introduction
The Tigray Media Watch (TMW), through its Digital Intelligence and Surveillance Monitoring Group, has conducted an extensive investigation into the escalating atrocities in Zana district, Northwestern Tigray. Ground reports from Kebreto and Debre Kerebe reveal that illegal gold mining exploitation has triggered severe human rights violations, terrorising local communities. This crisis, driven by a coalition of corrupt political leaders, military officials, and business interests, represents a profound betrayal of the Tigrayan people’s post-genocide recovery and sovereignty over their natural resources.
The Situation on the Ground
TMW has documented alarming incidents of terror, harassment, and violence perpetrated by illegal gold mining syndicates. These acts are enabled by high-ranking military officials and complicit local administrators. While the local population has mounted a courageous resistance to defend their land and resources, their efforts have been met with systematic oppression, including mass arrests, physical abuse, and the destruction of livelihoods.
- Key perpetrators identified:
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- Military Leadership:
- General Megebe Haile
- Aleme Geberewahed
- Colonel Tewlede Gebretensae (alias Tewlede Embebe)
- Tesfay Nigeria
- Tekelay Geberemdhin, Northwestern Tigray Zone Administrator
- Local Administrators:
- Mulate Wdei Gobay, Zana District Administrator
- Feareade Amare, Head of Peace and Security, Zana District
- Gebremichael Hagos, Administrator of Tabeya Hadent Sub-district
- Geberselassie Yebrahe, Head of Peace and Security,Tabeya Hadent
- Sub-district Security Forces:
- Hagos Wolu, Village Community Leader
- Hafetom, a police officer who indiscriminately fired six rounds into the public.
- Military Leadership:
- Criminal Acts Against Civilians
Widespread imprisonment, physical abuse, and intimidation of individuals opposing illegal mining. - Direct targeting of resistance leaders, including priests, Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) members, and families of martyrs.
- Forced involvement of local police and militias under the criminal syndicate’s orders.
- Deployment of TDF military units to suppress civilian resistance, representing a severe betrayal of public trust.
- Arrested and brutalised civilians, prominent figures, TDF members, and ordinary citizens include:
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- Priest Gebehewot Neguse
- Priest Abadi Berehe
- Kibrom Mebrahtu (17 years old, from a martyr’s family)
- Shesay Asemelash (son of a martyr)
- Tegadalay Mulaleme Abereha (TDF member)
- Tegadalay Yaleme
- Gebremichael (TDF member)
- Tegadalay Adisu Geberselassie (TDF member)
- Bereye Kidane and her children Zafu Tekelay and Geberselassie Tekelay, from TDF families.
- Yesalem Tekelay (14 years old, from a TDF family).
The Irony and Betrayal
It is profoundly ironic and deeply tragic that many of the leaders orchestrating these atrocities hail from the very communities they are exploiting. Their actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the welfare of their own people, prioritising personal gain over the survival of their homeland. This betrayal is not just a crime against the local population but an affront to Tigray’s sovereignty and integrity.
A Politically Motivated Crime Syndicate
The illegal gold mining exploitation is part of a politically motivated crime syndicate, orchestrated by elements within the TPLF leadership, military generals, and business elites. This warlordism undermines Tigray’s post-genocide recovery, perpetuates instability, and enriches a corrupt few at the expense of the region’s citizens.
Strict Warnings to Perpetrators
- To Generals Megebe Haile and Aleme Geberewahed: If you are not complicit, act decisively to halt these atrocities. Silence and inaction render you accomplices to these crimes.
- To Local Administrators and Security Officials: Your collaboration with criminal enterprises is being documented. TMW will ensure your actions are brought to light and subjected to accountability.
- To Business Collaborators, Including Foreign Actors: The involvement of Chinese and Nigerian businessmen in exploiting Tigray’s resources is a blatant violation of international law and sovereignty.
TMW demands an immediate end to your participation in these exploitative activities.
Emotional Narrative Titles:
- “The Betrayal Within: How TPLF leadership Exploit and repress Their Own People”
- “Gold and Blood: The Tragedy of Zana District”
- “Homegrown Genocide: The Plunder of Northwestern Tigray
- “Warlords Among Us: TPLF’s Corruption in Post-Genocide Tigray”
Call to Take Action
The atrocities in Zana District must cease immediately. TMW calls on the Tigray Interim Government, international organisations, and human rights groups to:
- Investigate and prosecute those involved in illegal gold mining operations and human rights violations.
- Protect the local population and their natural resources from further exploitation.
- Implement reforms to dismantle warlordism of the TPLF leadership led by Dr Debretsion Gebremikal and restore Tigray’s post-genocide recovery trajectory.
TMW will continue to monitor, document, and expose these crimes. We urge the people of Tigray, TIRA, and the international community to demand justice and accountability for the crimes committed by Debretsion group in Zana District.
Conclusion
The events unfolding in Zana District are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked power and corruption. The Tigrayan people deserve leadership that prioritises their welfare and sovereignty over personal greed. This exploitation must end, or history will record it as a dark chapter of betrayal, greed, and the failure to protect a people striving for recovery.