Mekelle, February 10, 2025 (Tigray Herald)
Potential Designation of TPLF Generals as Terrorists: A Legal and Security Concerns
By Kidu Hailesilssie
Introduction
Terrorism is broadly defined by the United Nations as “criminal acts, including against civilians, committed with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, or taking of hostages, with the purpose of provoking a state of terror in the general public or a group of persons, intimidating a population, or compelling a government or an international organization to do or to abstain from doing any act” (UN Security Council Resolution 1566, 2004). The TPLF’s top military leadership, previously regarded as a resistance force, now faces accusations of engaging in activities that align with this definition.
Their transition from the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) to a militarized wing of the TPLF underscores their evolving role as a politically-driven paramilitary group with global security implications.
From TDF to TPLF Army: A Shift in Allegiance
TDF was believed to be the force of every Tigrayan who resisted against the war on Tigray. However, in October 2022, the TPLF’s army generals publicly declared their allegiance to the party.
This statement marked a turning point in their role, transforming them from a general resistance force into a politically aligned military arm of the TPLF. Since then, the international community has referred to them as TPLF generals, treating them accordingly. This shift has led to concerns regarding their use of military power for partisan purposes, rather than for maintaining regional stability.
Criminal Activities and Links to Organized Crime
As these generals consolidate their control over TPLF’s military structure, their involvement in illicit activities has intensified. Accusations include:
• Looting: Multiple reports indicate that TPLF military figures have participated in systematic plundering, redirecting assets meant for war recovery into personal wealth accumulation.
• Human Trafficking: Evidence suggests that members of the TPLF-aligned military network facilitate illegal migration and human trafficking for financial gain.
• Arms Dealing and Sales: Intelligence reports link these generals to the illegal sale of arms, including providing weapons to anti-government insurgencies such as Fano militias and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).
• Illegal Gold Mining: Unauthorized mining operations controlled by these generals contribute to funding their private military endeavors and destabilizing economic recovery efforts in the region.
• Acts of Treason: Perhaps most critically, sources indicate that these generals have established direct contacts with Eritrean officials, Fano militias, and the OLA, facilitating coordinated efforts to undermine the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE).
• Military Involvement in Sudan: Reports confirm that TPLF army units stationed in Eastern Sudan have been deployed in the ongoing Sudanese civil war. Their presence in Sudan’s conflict raises concerns about external destabilization efforts, as well as their potential role in mercenary activities and furthering illicit cross-border networks.
Potential Terrorist Designation Under International Law
The U.S. Department of State’s definition of terrorism includes “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives” (U.S. Code, Title 22, Section 2656f). If the allegations against these TPLF generals hold, their actions could meet the criteria for formal terrorist designation.
Statements by TPLF Military Leaders and Coup Attempts
Recent public statements by TPLF-affiliated military figures indicate an escalating intention to challenge the Interim Regional Administration (IRA) through force. Intelligence reports suggest plans for an attempted coup, leveraging both armed loyalists and political influence to seize control. Such acts, if executed, would solidify their classification as threats to national security under both Ethiopian and international counterterrorism laws.
International Scrutiny and Consequences of Terrorist Designation
Currently, the U.S. State Department is conducting an in-depth investigation into these generals’ activities. If designated as terrorists, the consequences could include:
• Sanctions: Freezing of assets and travel bans under U.S. and EU anti-terrorism laws.
• Arrest Warrants: Potential issuance of Interpol Red Notices for international arrest.
• Legal Prosecution: Possible extradition and trial under counterterrorism statutes.
Historical Precedents:
Lessons from the Past
Several African and global military figures have faced similar designations, including:
• Joseph Kony (Lord’s Resistance Army, Uganda): Designated as a terrorist and wanted for war crimes.
• Ali Darassa (UPC, Central African Republic): Sanctioned for crimes against humanity and destabilization efforts.
• Yahya Jammeh (Former Gambian President): Targeted with economic sanctions due to human rights abuses.
Should the TPLF generals be officially designated as terrorists, they would likely face a combination of diplomatic, legal, and military actions aimed at neutralizing their destabilizing influence.
Conclusion: A Call for Accountability
The transformation of TPLF’s military leadership from regional defenders to alleged criminal actors poses a grave threat to regional peace and security. Their involvement in illicit activities, connections to anti-government militias, military interference in Sudan, and potential coup plotting place them in direct violation of international counterterrorism norms.
As global scrutiny intensifies, it is only a matter of time before the international community takes decisive action against them. The fate of these generals hangs in the balance, and should they continue down this path, they will face the full force of international justice.
