Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Tigray at a Dangerous Crossroads: We Must Not Stay Silent
By Tekie Hagos
Tigray stands once again on the edge of catastrophe. A deadly new chapter is unfolding; one that risks plunging our already devastated homeland into further chaos. For those of us in the Diaspora, silence is not an option.
The uneasy alliance between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isayas Afwerki, forged during the brutal war against Tigray, has collapsed. Their rivalry is escalating rapidly, with both sides reportedly positioning troops along the shared border. The signs of a looming war are clear, and Tigray is likely to be the main battlefield.
But Tigray’s danger doesn’t just come from outside. Inside, political fractures are deepening. Debretsion Gebremichael’s faction of the TPLF, weakened and discredited, is reportedly reaching out to none other than Isayas; yes, the same Isayas whose forces devastated our people, committed unspeakable atrocities, and helped displace millions. It is a shocking move that speaks not to strategy, but desperation.
Meanwhile, Getachew Reda, leading the newly formed Tigray Democratic Solidarity (TDS), has aligned with Abiy Ahmed’s federal government as an advisor on Horn of Africa affairs. While Getachew’s focus on return of internally displaced persons and institution building is commendable, many Tigrayans remain deeply skeptical of his ties to a government they blame for genocide. If war breaks out between Abiy and Isayas, Tigrayans may again become collateral damage in someone else’s power struggle.
We must not allow this to happen. As Diaspora Tigrayans, our responsibility is clear:
we must speak, organize, and act. The future of Tigray must not be decided by military strongmen or worn-out elites. It must be shaped by the will of the people, those who survived the war, those still suffering in displacement, and those dreaming of justice and rebuilding.
We must demand:
An immediate end to any moves toward war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, especially one fought on Tigrayan soil.
Full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, including the safe and dignified return of displaced Tigrayans.
Accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties, including Eritrean forces.
Unity among Tigrayan leaders committed to justice, peace, and the will of the people; not personal survival.
This is a moment of truth. The decisions made in the next few months could define the fate of Tigray for generations. We cannot afford to be passive observers. The Diaspora must mobilize through advocacy, fundraising, diplomacy, and pressure on international actors to ensure that Tigray’s voice is heard, and its people protected.
Let us not be remembered as the generation that watched in silence while our homeland was consumed again by war. Let us be the force that turned the tide.
