Tigray Herald፡November 12,2024 (Mekele)
4th Year Remembrance of the Maykadra Massacre: Honoring Lives and Demanding Justice
10 November 2024, Commission of Inquiry on Tigray genocide, Shire Endaslassie
The 4th anniversary of the tragic Maykadra massacre was commemorated in Shire Endaslassie, honoring the lives lost and reaffirming the commitment to justice for the victims. Held under the theme “Honoring Lives, Upholding Justice,” the event brought together representatives from across Tigray, including the Mayor of Maykadra, Western Zone representatives, Northwest Zone leaders, elders, displaced people from Western Tigray, and members of the media.
The commemoration began with a solemn torch-lighting ceremony honoring those who perished in the massacre. Mayor Yibralem Tsehaye of Maykadra delivered a powerful welcome speech, recalling the tragic events of November 9-10, 2020, when innocent Tigrayans in Maykadra faced brutal acts of violence. His words highlighted the pain of the survivors and the resilience of the Tigrayan people.
“The genocide committed against the people of Maykadra is being systematically concealed by those who perpetuate these injustices, using false narratives to distort the truth,” he stated. He condemned the ongoing efforts to erase evidence through grave excavation and the removal of burial sites, calling on the international community to denounce these actions and demand accountability.
Survivors, who have been scattered and displaced across Tigray, continue to endure severe hardships, including exposure to harsh conditions, hunger, inadequate medical care, and poverty. Their suffering is a continued testament to the need for justice and support. The attendees called on the international community, alongside national authorities, to help hold perpetrators accountable, provide immediate aid, and secure justice for the victims of the Maykadra massacre.
Mr. Asmare Adal, Western Zone representative, delivered an opening address that emphasized the prolonged suffering of the displaced people from Western Tigray. He voiced the deep frustration and yearning of those displaced for four years without the ability to return home. “We have been forgotten,” he said solemnly. “The displaced people in Sudan endure even worse conditions amidst local security crises. We urgently appeal to the Tigray government, the federal government, the African Union, and international allies to fulfill their responsibilities under the peace agreement and enable us to return to our homeland.”
Commissioner Yemane Zeray from CITG presented an update on ongoing efforts, while Mr. Alem Abreha, Director of the CITG Legal Services Directorate, delivered a presentation titled, “Genocide of Tigray: The Massacre of Innocent Tigrayans in Maykadra as an Example,” underscoring the importance of remembrance as a pillar of justice.
The ceremony concluded with testimonials from survivors and displaced residents of Maykadra and other areas of Western Tigray. These testimonies laid bare the enduring scars left by the massacre and reinforced the collective demand for truth and justice. In response, representatives, including the Mayor of Maykadra, reaffirmed their commitment to the pursuit of accountability and the preservation of the memory of those lost.
This commemoration serves as a solemn reminder of the horrors endured by the people of Maykadra and a powerful call to the world: that justice for the victims remains unfulfilled, and the call for action continues unabated. The path forward is clear—support for displaced Tigrayans, accountability for the perpetrators, and a steadfast commitment to peace and justice.
