Category: Articles

By Abraha Belai The TPLF has died. What remains is to bury the beast. But to understand why the demise of the TPLF would represent a devastating blow to Eritrea’s ruling EPLF, it is necessary to revisit a political strategy that, I contend, has operated for more than half a century. The Eritrean Secret That […]

[By Bereket Kiros] First, I must admit I cannot keep up with the rapid political developments in Tigray that unfold moment by moment. Often, events in Ethiopia seem to outpace our ability to write and comment as part of our civic duties. It has become increasingly hard for someone like me, living in the USA, […]

[By Horn Of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)] When the Tigray People’s Liberation Front signed the Pretoria Peace Agreement in November 2022, it still held one card: the ability to trade an honourable defeat for political survival. Four years later, hardliners chose to burn that card themselves. In September 2026, TPLF forces seized the airports of […]

ሓምለ 2018 መቐለ፣ ትግራይ 1) መእተዊ ዋላ እኳ ካብ ወርሒ ሚያዝያ ጀሚሩ ኣብ ኣብ ዞባ ሰሜን ምዕራብ ብልጭ ድርግም ዝበሉ ናይ ግፋ ምልክታት እንተነበሩ ብዋናነት ግና ካብ ወርሒ ግንቦት ጀሚሩ ኣብ ልዕሊ መናእሰያት ትግራይ ብዕሊ ግፋ ተጀሚሩ። እዚ ድማ ኣብ ዝተፈላለዩ ከባቢታት ትግራይ ዝተገበሩ ብሓይሊ ምግዳድ ፅንዓት ብምግባር ዝቀረበ ሰነድ እዩ። እዚ ካብ ግዜ ናብ […]

By Dr. Dawit Tesfay, Institutional Policy & Post-War State-Building Researcher, Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review Executive Summary The killing of Zewdu Haftu should never have become a referendum on whether power can defeat the law. Yet that is precisely what the case has become. Zewdu’s death is a criminal tragedy. The subsequent controversy surrounding the […]

By Dr Dawit Tesfay, Institutional Policy & Post-War State-Building Researcher, Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review An Investigation Beyond the Visible Political Theatre as an analytical framework for examining post-TPLF elite networks, institutional continuity, political patronage, and the challenges of post-war state-building in Ethiopia and Tigray. In post-conflict politics, the most consequential power networks are not […]

By Dr. Dawit Tesfay, Post-War Military, Security & Transitional Justice Affairs Researcher, HORN OF AFRICA GEOPOLITICAL REVIEW (HAGR) Blood Gold, Broken Bodies, and the Unholy Alliance: The TPLF’s Transnational Criminal Empire, the Mercenary Export of Tigrayan Youth, and the Tsimdo Axis That Threatens to Detonate the Horn of Africa “When a political movement can no […]

By Dr. Dawit Tesfay, Institutional Policy & Post-War State-Building Researcher, Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR) “Every tyranny contains within it the seed of its own image. The revolutionary who does not build accountable institutions does not escape the system he destroyed. He inherits it.” PREFATORY ASSESSMENT There is a particular kind of historical irony […]

By Dr. Dawit Tesfay, Institutional Policy & Post-War State-Building Researcher, HORN OF AFRICA GEOPOLITICAL REVIEW (HAGR) “Throughout history, the most brutal laws were not written to deliver justice. They were written to make resistance unthinkable.” — Dr. Dawit Tesfay Executive Summary This analysis is not a polite academic exercise. It is an indictment. What the […]

By Dr. Dawit Tesfay, Post-War Military, Security & Transitional Justice Affairs Researcher, HORN OF AFRICA GEOPOLITICAL REVIEW From Drakōn’s Athens to the TPLF’s Tigray: The Anatomy of Punitive Power, Totalitarian Thought-Control, and the Coming Reckoning in Post-TPLF Tigray “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to […]

[By Mesfin Ayenew, Dessie, Wello] The main aim of this article is to promote unity among Ethiopia’s various ethnic groups. It aims to correct misconceptions about liberation fronts, self-determination of ghetto politics of the TPLF and others, the United Nations, and international law. While the focus is on the people of Ethiopia, residents of the […]

[By Desta Hailu] “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” For individuals unfamiliar with TPLF leaders, it may be perplexing to understand why the ‘leaders’ of a political organization that has maintained power for four decades persist in behaving […]

[TLM Editorial Viewpoint] At an international conference in July 2000, Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics (1998), expressed concern about a stagnant society resistant to embracing new realities. He cited an ancient Sanskrit story of “kupamanduka,” a simple tale of a well-frog—the frog that lives its entire life in a well—and its refusal to accept […]

[Bereket Kiros] We don’t need to travel to the edge of the universe to find proof of the treasonous actions of the TPLF leadership and the rogue generals who support it. If my criticism of the TPLF or Sebhat Nega stings, it’s because it is truthful. When someone speaks without thinking or knowing all the […]

[By Bereket Kiros] Let me start by suggesting that we, Tegrawot, should be cautious about our future as a nation and people. We are living in “interesting times”, as the Chinese would say to describe a difficult period in history. Tigray teeters on the edge of a precipice, with deep gorges of disintegration on one […]

[By Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review] The people of Tigray today continue to endure the devastating aftershocks of political tyranny, deliberate structural sabotage, and systematic corruption that were planted decades ago by former Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. As Tigray struggles under the wreckage of genocide, political division, and security collapse, it is imperative to […]

[By Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)] The Heinous Crimes of the Outlawed TPLF’s “Above-the-Core Generals” Image Credit: Temesgen Dawit In the historic town of Mekoni (መኾኒ), Southern Tigray, the outlawed TPLF ‘s “Above-the-Core” armed faction has once again committed a grave atrocity against its people. In a calculated and unprovoked assault, militias loyal to […]

My reflections [By Tekie Hagos] When you make a choice, you change the future. For the youth of Tigray, this is not just a saying; it is the very reality of their lives. Too many young Tegaru, burdened by despair and the weight of uncertainty, have chosen to leave their homeland. In search of opportunity, […]

[By Tekie Hagos] As Tigray continues to navigate the fragile post-war landscape, its political future hangs in the balance. The Pretoria Agreement remains largely unfulfilled. Western and Southern Tigray are still under occupation. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) await justice. And Tigray’s internal political arena is divided and increasingly vulnerable to manipulation by external actors. In […]

[By Bereket Kiros] Any party that violates the will of the people is scandalous, and aptly, the TPLF will not remain in power for long. The seeds of change and hope are threatened by fear and division, which paint the world a negative image after the genocidal war in Tigray. Our small step toward peace […]

[By Tekie Hagos] Credit: Tigrai TV The war launched against Tigray by the Ethiopian Federal Government, aided by the Eritrean army and extremist Amhara forces, was nothing short of genocidal in intent and execution. In its scope and brutality, marked by mass killings, widespread sexual violence, destruction of infrastructure, and calculated starvation, it aimed to […]

I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Harvard Center for African Studies for hosting a comprehensive panel discussion on significant issues and current affairs related to Ethiopia and the ongoing conflict in Tigray. Although I was pleased to watch the discussion forum on YouTube, I am disappointed that the panel’s contemporary historical analysis […]

[By Bereket Kiros and Teum Mezgebo] The TPLF rules Tigray with “iron grip”1, like Hamas rules Gaza. The TPLF and Hamas have similar repressive systems. Both the TPLF and Hamas employ stringent measures to suppress freedom and dissent to maintain control over their respective populations. This authoritarian approach often leads to heightened tensions and conflict, […]

[ብተጋዳላይ ተጋዳላይ ሕድሮም ተስፋይ) – Medical Doctor] ክንበብ ዘለዎ ብጣእሚ ኣገዳሲ ሓበሬታን መረዳእታን ጉጅለ ህወሓት ንሙሑር መንዕሰይ ዶክተር ሰሎሞን ገብረ ስለምንታይ ከምዝቐንፀልዎ ዝገልፅ ፅሑፍ እዩ:: ድሕሪ እቲ ፍሹል ናብ ደብረ ብርሃን ዝተገብረ ወፍሪ ዶከተር ሰለሞን ባእሉ ብናይ ብርዒ ሸሙ ብእምቆት ብ26 ታሕሳስ 2014 ዝጸሓፎ ጽሑፍ እዩ:: እዝ ናይ ደናቁር እኸብካብ ዓሌታዊ ጉጀለ ጥፍዓት ፀረ ሙሑራት […]

[By Bereket Kiros] The seed of change and hope is being challenged by fear and fragmentation, giving the world a negative image after the signing of the Pretoria Agreement. A baby step towards stability was dashed when army officers pledged their allegiance to the TPLF. Nevertheless, we are left with the indisputable fact that a […]

[By Bereket Kiros] Let us make a few observations first. We do not think anyone disagrees that diversity of thought is a necessary right; in fact, any restrictions on thought are bound to undernourish public conversation. None of us has the final word on procedures or how they turn out; time has a way of […]

[By Teum Mezgebo] The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) power struggle to remove Getachew Reda from the interim presidency has backfired spectacularly against it. After the TPLF has dismantled the interim administration and engaged in a seal campaign in Eastern and Southern Tigray, it finds itself sidelined by Aby Ahmed with an unusual and unexpected […]

By Tesfay Atsbeha and Kahsay Berhe This article was written in February 2012 On 19 February 2012, the official 37th birthday of the TPLF, many people in Tigray have to think of their loved ones as martyrs as every year; it is a day for remembering the loss of about 60 000 young women and […]

[By Teum Mezgebo] The Tigray leadership has never learnt from its countless mistakes. No one can understand why the failed TPLF leadership wants to remain in power but is impotent to maintain peace and security in Tigray when the leadership is claiming to have the most powerful force, namely the TDF, on its side, sitting […]

[By Yerega] The Paradox of General Feseha Kidanu’s Peacekeeping Legacy General Feseha Kidanu, renowned for his extensive service in United Nations peacekeeping missions across Abyei (UNISFA), Darfur (UNAMID), Somalia (UNOSOM I), Liberia (UNOMIL), Rwanda, and Burundi, was once a symbol of peace and stability on the global stage. However, his recent role as the head […]

[By Tigray Media Watch] ” By the way ከአንድ ሚልየን በላይ ኣለቀ፤ ማስረጃ የለው፣ ጥናት የለው፣ ለማስፈራርያ ነው የሚለው። ተጨፍጭፈናል ለማለትም አይደለም፣ ጄኖሳይድ ተፈፀመብን ለማለትም ኣይደለም።አመራሩ አስጨረሰን ይላል፤ አመራር ለመምታት፣ ስልጣን ለመያዝ የማይሰራ ነገር የለም” In a shocking and shameful display of arrogance and betrayal, Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael, a leader of the failed splinter group […]

[By Bereket Kiros] “If you shut up truth and bury it under the ground, it will but grow up and gather to itself such explosive power that the day it bursts through, it will blow up everything in its way.” Emile Zola In this article, I highlight the shady works of evil people who work […]

[By Bereket Kiros] We vehemently condemned the military action and uncalled attack taken against the innocent civilians by the commander of Army 26 on 12/06/2017, Geez calendar at Addis Alem Wereda Seharti. I want to underscore that no one wants to play with fire and not undermine Seharti’s bravery in the fight against brutal and […]

[By Bereket Kiros] The last five years represent the most significant challenge and are hard for Tigrayans to swallow. I realise now and then, at home and in diaspora, the pain, agony, and fear about the fate of our Tigrai. We all hurt when we witness injustice and genocide committed against our brothers/sisters, for we […]

Aklilu Habtewold: in the Footsteps of A Great International Law Jurist; Disqualification of Lauterpacht, Nullification of the Algiers Agreement, and Rejection of the Decision of the Border Commission By Tecola W. Hagos October 30, 2003 A. Legal and Policy reasons to declare the Algiers Agreement null and void. 1. Principle of Jus Cogens: Brownlie, an […]

[By Bereket Kiros] Some young men and women of my generation were lured first by the illusive idea of “democracy,” and still others were seduced by the promise of instantaneous wealth, and idyllic societies of Albanian, TPLF-style Marxist thoughts were swallowing and regurgitating without digesting such fantasies. In the last fifty years, we have witnessed […]

[By Bereket Kiros] We have seen heads of state, prime ministers, and other officials rise and fall to power; we have observed individuals who betrayed their people and parties for personal enrichment. We have witnessed too many thugs, irresponsible, and mediocre Tegaru politicians vying for political power to keep the status quo that failed us. […]

[By Yerega] The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has been a significant political force in Ethiopia, leading the country for nearly three decades until 2018. However, the recent leadership crisis within the TPLF has resulted in catastrophic outcomes for Tigray and its people. This analysis explores the root causes of this failure, focusing on corruption, […]

[By Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group, Mekele, Tigray, 10 January 2025] Introduction The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has recently taken an unprecedented and perplexing step by aligning itself with the Eritrean regime led by Isaias Afewerki—a government long regarded as hostile toward Tigray and accused of grave human rights violations, including genocide […]

[By Bereket Kiros] “No political party can long pursue advantage at the expense of public honour or by rude and indecent methods without protest and fatal disaffection in its own body” (Inaugural Address by US President Benjamin Harrison on March 4, 1889—Avalon Project, Yale University). Why am I quoting Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the […]

[By Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice in Europe] In Remembrance and Commemoration of Dekike Estifanos Introduction: A Call to Remember Dekike Estifanos and Reflect on Their Struggle for Truth and Religious Faith The story of the Dekike Estifanos is one of unparalleled courage, resilience, and spiritual devotion in the face of persecution and […]