Tigray Herald፡December 13,2024 (Mekele)
Written By Getachew Temare
The Critical Status of the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF): The TDF, once a symbol of resilience during the brutal two-year war, is now facing a crisis that reflects Tigray’s broader political and humanitarian struggles. Here’s a breakdown of the challenges and possible solutions.
Over 200,000 troops, who sacrificed their lives for Tigray’s survival, now live in dire conditions. They lack basic necessities like food, clothing, and salaries. The absence of a functioning government has left them neglected and vulnerable.
Worse, some TDF leaders are implicated in organized crime—human trafficking, illegal mining, and land grabbing. These actions have fractured command structures and fostered lawlessness, threatening the very stability they fought to protect.
The Pretoria Agreement, which outlines a Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process, offers a roadmap for peace. But implementation has been slow, and confusion around its terms has left Tigray in a dangerous limbo.
TDF faces 3 key dilemmas:
1️⃣ Should the army stay intact for Tigray’s security?
2️⃣ Should troops integrate with Ethiopia’s national army, accused of atrocities during the war?
3️⃣ Can warlordism and internal corruption be stopped?
Maintaining the TDF in its current form is unsustainable. The region’s economic collapse and lack of resources make it impossible. Yet disbanding the army without ensuring Tigray’s security could leave it vulnerable. A delicate balance is needed.
Integration with the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is highly controversial. The ENDF, under Abiy Ahmed, has been accused of genocidal acts. Can Tigray’s soldiers trust an institution that inflicted so much harm? It’s a bitter pill to swallow.
Meanwhile, the absence of centralized command has created warlords who prioritize personal gain over Tigray’s stability. This unchecked power threatens to plunge the region into further chaos and undermine peace efforts.
The way forward must include:
✅ Addressing soldiers’ basic needs—food, pay, and dignity.
✅ A clear DDR process that balances disarmament and security.
✅ Combatting corruption and warlordism.
✅ Revisiting Pretoria to ensure equitable implementation.
Integration into the ENDF could work—if done under binding guarantees to protect Tigrayan soldiers. Oversight mechanisms and a focus on justice are critical to building trust and fostering peace.
Tigray’s leadership must act decisively. The region cannot afford to be paralyzed by factionalism or self-serving elites. Unity, accountability, and vision are essential to move from survival to sustainable peace.
The sacrifices of the TDF soldiers must not be in vain. This is a moment of reckoning for Tigray—a chance to honor their resilience and secure a future of peace and justice for the people.
The stakes are high, but the path forward is clear. Let’s ensure Tigray’s struggle ends in sustainable peace, not endless strife. The world is watching.
