Tigray Herald፡November 23,2024 (Mekele)
Prepared by Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group
The Unprecedented Crisis in Zana District, Northwestern Tigray Zone
Illegal Gold Mining Exploitation and Crimes Against the Local Population
With expanding exploitation reaching neighboring 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, terrorizing 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 Findings
- Perpetrators Identified
Military Leadership:
General Megebe Haile
Aleme Geberewahed
Colonel Tewlede Gebretensae (alias Tewlede Embebe)
Tesfay Nigeria
Tekelay Geberemdhen, Northwestern Tigray Zone Administrator
Local Administrators:
Mulate Wdei Gobay, Zana District Administrator
Feareade Amare, Head of Peace and Security, Zana District
Gebremichael Hagose, Administrator of Tabeya Hadent Sub-district
Geberselase Yebrahe, Head of Peace and Security, Tabeya Hadent Sub-district
Security Forces:
Hagose Wolu, Village Community Leader
Hafetom, a police officer who indiscriminately fired six rounds into the public.
- 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 Civilians
Prominent figures and ordinary citizens arrested and brutalized include:
Priest Gebehewot Neguse
Priest Abadi Berehe
Kebrome Meberahetu (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 Geberselase (TDF member)
Bereye Kidane and her children Zafu Tekelay and Geberselase 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, prioritizing 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 Tigrayans Exploit Their Own Homeland”
“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 Action
The atrocities in Zana District must cease immediately. TMW calls on the Tigray Interim Government, international organizations, 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 and restore Tigray’s post-genocide recovery trajectory.
TMW will continue to monitor, document, and expose these crimes. We urge the people of Tigray and the international community to demand justice and accountability for the crimes committed 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 prioritizes 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.
