Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
A Call to Reverse the “Above Core TDF Commanders’ Decisions” to Restore Peace and Prevent Further Conflict in the Tigray Region:
By Seyoum (Mekelle):
Who Are the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF)?
The Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) emerged in response to the genocidal war initiated in November 2020 by the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), in collaboration with Amhara regional forces and the Eritrean government. Before the conflict, the Tigray region maintained its own Special Forces, tasked with preserving peace and order.
Under the Ethiopian constitution, all regional states are permitted to establish Special Forces, as security is a shared responsibility between federal and regional governments. While the federal government oversees national defense and public security, regional states are authorized to create and manage their own police forces to maintain internal peace and order. As such, the TDF was formed primarily from Tigray’s Special Forces, serving as the core from which the broader resistance effort grew.
Role of the TDF in the Genocidal War
In response to external aggression, youth across Tigray mobilized to join the TDF in defense of their land and people. The TDF became a protective force against genocidal actors targeting Tigrayans. People from various professions and backgrounds joined the TDF to resist atrocities such as mass killings, sexual violence, and the systematic destruction of Tigrayan lives and properties.
The people of Tigray honored TDF leaders and fighters for their sacrifices, particularly for defending their communities from rape, sexual assault, and widespread violence.
Relationship Between the TDF and TPLF
While most TDF commanders had been members of the TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front), the Ethiopian constitution requires a separation between military forces and political parties.
Accordingly, many of these leaders distanced themselves from political involvement and focused on defending the constitution and regional sovereignty. Some had retired from military service but rejoined during the war, playing a critical role in leading the TDF until the signing of the Pretoria Agreement.
Following the agreement, an interim administration was established in Tigray through cooperation among the TPLF, other political parties, and civic society organizations. However, internal divisions within the TPLF have since emerged. One faction has become dominant within the interim administration, while the other faction controls the TPLF’s party office. With support from a small group of military officers, the TPLF office faction refused to recognize the authority of the interim government, taking control of the North-West and Central zones of Tigray by force and dismantling local administrative structures aligned with the interim authority.
The January 23 Declaration by the “Above Core” TDF Command
On January 23, senior TDF commanders—referred to as the “Above Core Command”—issued a surprising announcement demanding the dissolution and restructuring of the interim administration. By aligning with one faction of the TPLF, they abandoned their previously neutral military stance.
This declaration forced the interim administration to relocate to Addis Ababa, and some TDF officers fled to areas outside TDF control, known as the “Free Zones.” In these zones, a significant number of former TDF fighters have joined a newly formed group: the Tigray Peace Force (TPF).
Tigray: A Buffer Zone in a Larger Regional Conflict?
Tigray is caught between two regional powers—Ethiopia to the south and Eritrea to the north—both of which are involved in supporting different armed groups to protect their respective interests. Some Tigrayan politicians have aligned with either Ethiopia or Eritrea, further complicating the region’s stability. The growing rift between the TDF and the TPF also presents a serious internal threat. If tensions escalate, the Tigrayan people could face a renewed and possibly more devastating conflict.
Solutions and Recommendations
• The TDF commanders must reconsider and reverse the “Above Core” declaration. Instead of aligning with one TPLF faction, they should adopt a neutral and unifying stance, prioritizing peace and territorial integrity.
• Military leadership should stop enabling any political faction that undermines the legitimacy and operations of the interim administration, especially in southern and southeastern Tigray, including Mekelle.
• Open negotiations must be initiated with fighters in the Free Zones to prevent further internal conflict and avoid a fratricidal war.
Conclusion
It is time for the TDF commanders to reverse their recent political alignment and return to a neutral, constitutional role. Their primary duty should be to maintain peace, protect the sovereignty of Tigray, and prevent a return to widespread violence. If they fail to act responsibly, history will hold the “Above Core” commanders accountable for the consequences that follow.
