Narobi,Pretoria,London, March 7፡2025 (Tigray Herald)
A Critical Reflection on Tigray’s Leadership and Challenges
As a concerned Tigraway, I have spent the past four years actively trying to understand #Tigray—its history, its struggles, and its current trajectory. Through conversations with former TPLF members, discussions with die-hard TPLF supporter family members, and interactions within the Tigray diaspora community, alongside my own observations, I have gained insight into what is truly happening.
My perspective is not rooted in political allegiance but rather in a genuine desire to see Tigray’s fate change for the better—regardless of who is in power. However, one thing is evident:
The Party in Charge Faces Two Major Challenges:
1. Disconnection from the People – The party has lost touch with the needs and aspirations of the Tigrayan people, leading to its declining popularity.
2. A Deep Generational Gap – A significant divide exists, with resistance to change primarily coming from the older TPLF-era leadership, which struggles to accommodate new perspectives and adapt to evolving realities.
TPLF’s Key Mistakes and the Growing Divide
While #TPLF claims to stand for the people of Tigray, it has repeatedly failed to acknowledge and address its mistakes:
1️⃣ Taking Undue Credit – Throughout the war, all Tegaru, both at home and in the diaspora, united to defend Tigray’s identity and existence against Eritrean Shaebiya 🇪🇷, Amhara Fano, Prosperity Party soldiers under #ENDF 🇪🇹, Somalia 🇸🇴, and UAE 🇦🇪 drones supplied by Turkey. Tegaru fought both on the battlefield and diplomatically, achieving incredible victories. When the #PretoriaAgreement was signed, TPLF falsely claimed sole credit for it, failing to acknowledge the collective effort. This was Mistake #1.
2️⃣ Failure to Uphold Promises of Inclusivity – After Pretoria, TPLF promised to be inclusive and embrace all political perspectives. Yet, instead of fostering democratic space, it began imprisoning and kidnapping opposition voices who peacefully protested. This was Mistake #2.
3️⃣ Lack of Transparency on the Pretoria Agreement – The most confusing and divisive mistake was the vague and secretive nature of the Pretoria Agreement’s implementation. This created frustration and disillusionment among Tegaru.
4️⃣ Suppressing Critical Voices – When TPLF finally revealed the details of the Pretoria Agreement, it shattered unity within #Tigray. Those who asked critical questions were labeled and blackmailed, while blind supporters continued chanting “ዉድብና ዉድብና.” The growing disconnect between the diaspora and TPLF leadership worsened, as the diaspora noticed that the party was ignoring the realities on the ground and instead pursuing its own survival.
5️⃣ Exploitation and Control of Diaspora Efforts – As the diaspora shifted focus towards supporting the wounded #TDF, TPLF attempted to take control of these efforts and claim them as their own. Reports of mismanagement and misuse of diaspora resources by party-assigned camp representatives damaged trust between the diaspora and TPLF.
6️⃣ The Question of Mekete Funds – The issue of “ናይ መኸተ ገንዘብ” further deepened distrust, with many questioning the handling of funds raised during the war. While some were willing to move past it, the lack of implementation of Pretoria’s key provisions continued to frustrate Tegaru.
7️⃣ Debretsion’s Secretive Moves – When news surfaced about #Debretsion traveling to Addis Ababa, supposedly to unseat Getachew and renew TPLF’s PLC license, Tegaru were outraged. It reinforced the idea that the party’s priority was self-preservation, not serving the people.
8️⃣ Unwise Diplomatic Decisions – The worst political miscalculation was TPLF leaders meeting with Eritrean Shaebiya officials, a move widely condemned as reckless and geopolitically naive. This meeting confirmed to many that the leadership lacked vision and competence in international relations.
9️⃣ Military Leadership’s Declaration of Support for TPLF – When high-ranking military officials publicly declared their support for TPLF, it further damaged credibility, as many saw it as an attempt to maintain power rather than address core issues. The root of these failures remains the generational gap—where old leadership refuses to embrace the needs and aspirations of the new generation.
Generation Gap: A Crisis of Leadership
Those who resist change continue to see the present through an outdated lens, interpreting #Tigray’s past, present, and future through rigid, old-world perspectives rather than adapting to today’s realities. This is the heart of the leadership crisis.
The Way Forward: Embracing the Tigray Council
Given these challenges, the #GoT’s initiative to establish a Tigray Council—designed to bridge the gap between leadership and the people’s needs—is a necessary and positive step. By prioritizing diverse voices, this initiative has the potential to foster inclusivity and ensure that Tigray’s governance reflects the aspirations of its people.
All Tegaru leaders who truly wish to see Tigray progress should embrace this council as a step toward unity and renewal. Strengthening inclusivity and fostering dialogue between generations is the only way forward.
Without addressing these fundamental issues, meaningful progress for #Tigray remains uncertain.
