Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Strategic Monitoring and Accountability Series
Published by: The Tigray Herald & Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)
In Partnership With: International Experts on Security, Diplomacy, and Democratic Governance
Narrative Title
“35 Days of Shame: A Strategic Countdown to the Collapse of Military Tyranny in Tigray”
Executive Summary
What has become of Tigray under General Tadesse Worede’s self-appointed military leadership?
In just 35 days, Tigray has been thrust from a fragile post-genocide recovery into azone of lawlessness, systemic fear, and deepening repression. Brought to power through whatmany now describe as a silent military coup, General Tadesse has imposed authoritarian ruleacross all civilian institutions. The judiciary is paralyzed.
The press is gagged. Civil society issilenced. Corruption—especially in land acquisition and illegal gold mining—is flourishing undermilitary protection.
This 35-Day Strategic Accountability Countdown—an urgent intervention by Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR) and The Tigray Herald, in collaboration with international experts inlaw, governance, and security—aims to:
Hold General Tadesse Worede’s administration accountable,
Document the real-time collapse of state institutions, and
Build a verifiable body of evidence for future transitional justice mechanisms.
Critical Questions to General Tadesse Worede: The Unaccountable Ruler
How did you assume the position of Interim President without any legal or constitutionalprocedure?
On what basis do you claim legitimacy while bypassing public will and suppressing a reformistagenda?
Why have district-level judges in Mekelle ceased operations under threats from unidentified,masked operatives linked to your forces?
Why is your administration enabling the intimidation of judicial oficials, including in the Centraland Northeastern Zones?
Are you not directly responsible for the complete collapse of governance in just over a month?
Why is your inner circle—infamously known as the “Above the Core” generals—operating as ade facto criminal syndicate manipulating local administrations?
Who authorized the illegal seizure of district seals, administrative documents, and local councilofices?
Why is there an unprecedented surge in land grabbing around Mekelle under your watch?
Why has illegal gold mining intensified dramatically during your tenure?
Why is TBS Television and other media being harassed, censored, and denied access to publicinformation?
Why have prices for essential goods soared, and why has contraband trade with Eritreaflourished under your rule?
Why has the Tigray Interim Assembly Council been paralyzed and rendered inoperative?
Structure of the Series: 35 Days of Documented Collapse
Each day contributes to a larger mosaic of governance failure, revealing the systematicdismantling of institutional integrity and the militarization of civilian life.
Day-by-Day Accountability Snapshots
Day 1 – April 22, 2025
Title: Tigray’s Civilian Constitution Hijacked by a Uniform
Key Development: Tadesse Worede declares himself Interim President absent any publicconsultation or legislative process.
Implications: Civilian governance is suspended. A climate of fear emerges.HAGR Verdict Score: -10
Day 3 – April 24, 2025
Title: Judges Under Siege: Law in the Crosshairs
Key Development: Judges in Mekelle cease operations following threats from masked menlinked to military factions.
Implications: Rule of law collapses; civilians left without legal recourse.HAGR Verdict Score: -9.5
Day 7 – April 28, 2025
Title: Courtrooms Empty, Guns Speak
Key Development: Judiciary in the Central and Northeastern Zones halts entirely.
Implications: Legal redress vanishes. Organized crime and impunity take hold.HAGR Verdict Score: -9.5
Day 10 – May 1, 2025
Title: Media Blackout: Silencing the Truth
Key Development: TBS TV journalists are denied access to oficial briefings and public meetings.
Implications: Media freedom extinguished; public trust erodes.HAGR Verdict Score: -9
Day 14 – May 5, 2025
Title: Land for Guns: Urban Grab in MekelleKey Development: Lands around Mekelle are seized without compensation, allegedly benefiting“Above the Core” generals.
Implications: Economic disenfranchisement and systemic dispossession deepen.HAGR Verdict Score: -9.7
Day 17 – May 8, 2025
Title: Gold Rush of Shame: War Criminals Strike Wealth
Key Development: Satellite and ground reports confirm a spike in illegal gold mining protectedby military elements.
Implications: Public resources looted. War profiteering institutionalized.HAGR Verdict Score: -10
Day 25 – May 16, 2025
Title: Smuggling Sovereignty: Contraband Routes to Eritrea Thrive
Key Development: Contraband trade peaks, enriching Eritrean and TPLF elite networks.
Implications: Tigray’s economy is redirected to benefit hostile regimes.HAGR Verdict Score: -9.8
Cumulative Governance Collapse Chart(Visual Tracker to be included)Sectoral Breakdown:
Judiciary: 90% Collapse
Media Freedom: 85% Suppressed
Civil Service: 75% Dysfunction
Legislative Function: 100% Paralyzed
Public Safety: 60% Failure
Economic Integrity: 70% Compromised
Final Report – To Be Released on Day 36
Title: “Tadesse Worede’s 35 Days of Tyranny: National Security and Democratic Collapse in Uniform”
Key Sections:
Legal and Constitutional Analysis
Institutional Disintegration Timeline
Intelligence Briefs and Corruption Networks
Victim and Eyewitness Testimonies
Violations of International Law
Policy Recommendations
Immediate dissolution of Tadesse Worede’s military-led interim government.
Full restoration of civilian constitutional authority and democratic process.
Deployment of UN human rights and security monitors to prevent further repression.
Targeted sanctions on military-linked networks involved in gold looting and land theft.
Establishment of an independent Truth and Justice Commission.
Preparation of international legal proceedings for crimes committed against the people of Tigray.
Lead Contributors
Dr. Amanuel Zerai – Chief Security & Intelligence Diplomacy Advisor
Lidya Gidey – Civil Society and Youth Monitor
Mehari K. Yohannes – Transitional Justice Analyst
Horn Crisis Intelligence Unit (HCIU) – Conflict Mapping & Verification
DistributionChannels
www.tigraymedia.org
www.tigrayherald.org
www.horngeopoliticalreview.org
African Democratic Forum | Justice for Tigray Network | International Crisis Briefing Hubs
Languages: English | Tigrinya | French (selected editions)
Ongoing Series Notice
The Tigray Herald and Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review will continue rigorous daily monitoringand strategic exposure of General Tadesse Worede’s administration until the full restoration of constitutional civilian governance.
Prepared by:
Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR) & The Tigray Herald
Date: May 27, 2025
