Tigray Herald፡November 24,2024 (Mekele)

I Can’t Be Silent About Tigray

November 25, 2024
Press Release: A Call for Bold Leadership from TIRA
As the organizers of the movement “I Can’t Be Silent About Tigray,” we have consistently championed the
Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) in its efforts to address the immense challenges facing the
region. TIRA stands at a crucial juncture, tasked with the formidable responsibility of rebuilding governance,
ensuring peace and security, and laying the groundwork for democratic governance.
While we acknowledge the complexities of TIRA’s mandate, its efforts thus far have fallen short of
expectations, raising significant concerns about the growing threats to progress. Moreover, certain
individuals, groups, and factions continue undermining reform, disrupting governance, and fueling
instability. These actions severely hinder the administration’s capacity to serve the people of Tigray
effectively. Thus, we demand TIRA’s top leadership, particularly Mr. Getachew Reda, to transition from
explanation to assertion, confronting these challenges head-on and take the following actions:

1. Leveraging Tigray’s Best Resources to Restore IDPs and Territorial Integrity
   TIRA must mobilize Tigray’s most skilled and knowledgeable negotiators to engage with the Federal
   Government and the West ensuring the swift return of IDS and safeguarding Tigray’s territorial integrity.
2. Confronting Illegal Gold Mining to Protect Public Health and Land Fertility
   TIRA must take bold and immediate action to hold accountable those responsible for illegal gold mining,
   which endangers public health and devastates land fertility through hazardous chemical use.
3. Constitute the Long-Awaited Advisory Council
   The Advisory Council, with equal representation from all political parties and voices from non-extractive
   stakeholders, is essential to ensure capable governance. This council must be established immediately to
   provide guidance on pressing policy matters, strengthen accountability, and enhance TIRA’s legitimacy.
4. Ensure Peace and Security for All People
   The administration must prioritize the safety and security of its citizens. This requires empowering law
   enforcement and the justice system while ensuring the military is confined to strictly controlled camps. Civil
   policing and judicial systems must be the primary tools for ensuring the rule of law and protecting citizens.
5. Accelerate Municipal and Local Reforms
   Guided by the Pretoria Agreement, TIRA must act decisively to dismantle entrenched governance structures
   and replace them with transparent, accountable systems. This includes appointing capable officials at all
   levels of government and conducting local elections to enable grassroots participation in decision-making.
6. Enforce Accountability for Disruptive Behavior
   Individuals and groups that actively hinder the administration’s work or engage in corruption must be held
   accountable. Clear and consistent measures should be implemented to deter misconduct, ensure justice,
   and restore public confidence in governance.
7. Strengthen Democratic Institutions and the Rule of Law
   Robust democratic institutions are essential for a prosperous Tigray. TIRA must reinforce the rule of law
   and build strong institutions that can deliver equitable services, ensure transparency, and uphold the
   administration’s legitimacy.
8. Promote Constructive Dialogue and Unity
   Collaboration among political parties and non-extractive stakeholders is crucial to building a stable and
   inclusive governance framework. Open communication channels must be established to foster trust and
   reduce tensions, paving the way for cooperative efforts to address shared challenges.
9. Establish a Dedicated TIRA Press Communication Desk
   Citizens have the right to access accurate and timely information. TIRA should establish a Press
   Communication Desk responsible for organizing at least weekly press briefings open to all media outlets.
   These briefings should highlight government activities, counter disinformation, address pressing issues,
   outline priorities, and set the agenda.
   These actions are the foundation upon which TIRA must honor the people’s trust and fulfill its transformative
   mandate. The people of Tigray, having endured unimaginable hardships, trust TIRA to deliver peace, justice,
   and reform through bold leadership, decisive action, and a commitment to democracy and accountability.
   TIRA’s role is not to maintain the status quo but to drive change by ensuring citizen safety, addressing
   systemic issues, and building a capable, transparent, and inclusive government. The time for action is now,
   as Tigray demands a responsive government that delivers results to address pressing public plights.
   Clarity of purpose is essential for effective leadership. Identifying root problems may take time and effort,
   but it is far more effective than misdirecting resources on the wrong issues and perpetuating a cycle of
   inefficiency. This highlights the importance of thoughtful and deliberate actions that TIRA must take. Every
   decision TIRA makes today to address our challenges will either propel us toward progress or trap us in a
   cycle of stagnation, shaping the trajectory of Tigray’s future. Therefore, TIRA must strategically position
   Tigray for a stronger, more united, and peaceful future through clear priorities and targeted actions. To this
   end, borrowing Warren Buffet’s approach, the first and foremost rule for TIRA must be to take continuous
   decisive actions, and the second rule is: do not forget the first rule.
   Respectfully,
   The “I Can’t Be Silent About Tigray” Movement Organizers