Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London,April 6፡2025 (Tigray Herald)
“Above the Core vs. Below the Core: The Fight to Save Tigray from Its Own Past”
Prepared by Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)
In Collaboration with Leading Regional and International Political and Security Experts
Executive Summary
This strategic and critical analysis explores the deepening internal rift within the Tigray Defense
Forces (TDF), focusing on the stark divide between the ideologically bankrupt and criminally
compromised faction dubbed the “Above the Core,” and the emerging, professional, and
nationally committed younger generation within the TDF—referred to as the “Below the Core.”
This document unpacks the historical, ideological, and operational failures of the Above the
Core faction, detailing its corruption, abuses, and ongoing political sabotage. In contrast, it
elevates the promise of the Below the Core, a generation positioned to reform and redefine
Tigray’s military, political, and institutional trajectory.
I. Introduction
Tigray stands at a pivotal juncture. In the aftermath of genocide, survival and recovery require
confronting not only external threats but also internal betrayals. One of the gravest internal
challenges stems from a faction embedded within the former TDF—self-styled as the “Above the
Core”—whose allegiance lies not with the Tigrayan people, but with a failed ideological past
anchored in the discredited legacy of the TPLF. This faction now threatens the integrity of
Tigray’s military and political institutions.
II. Who Are the “Above the Core”?
The “Above the Core” refers to a shadowy network of former TDF generals and mid-level
officers—many of whom were products of the TPLF’s political commissariat system. They
operate outside the recognized command structure, functioning as a parallel militia loyal to a defunct leadership. Their continued influence obstructs reforms and destabilizes Tigray’s institutional rebuilding efforts Key Characteristics:
Demographics: Predominantly aging figures from the 1970s–80s generation, indoctrinated inMarxist-Leninist ideology.
Educational Background: Generally uneducated or semi-literate, resistant to professional military transformation.
Loyalty: Aligned with the collapsed inner circle of the TPLF, not with Tigray or its people.Ideology: Stagnant, authoritarian worldview devoid of modern strategic thought or ethical military conduct.
III. Criminality, Corruption & Land Grabbing Under EPRDF Rule
During the TPLF’s dominant years within the EPRDF-led federal system, the Above the Core faction leveraged its military influence to orchestrate vast networks of corruption and land theft across Ethiopia.
Regions Impacted:
Addis Ababa: Extensive land seizures, bribery, and systemic economic sabotage.
Oromia, Gambela, Benishangul-Gumuz, Somali Regions: Military-backed expropriation,suppression of local communities, and diversion of federal development funds.
Methods of Exploitation:
Administrative fraud, military intimidation, use of shell companies, and manipulation of
development projects.These actions fomented deep-seated resentment and contributed to the interethnic tensions
that continue to destabilize Tigray’s, and the Ethiopian state.
IV. Crimes Against the People of Tigray
The Above the Core faction’s betrayal extended into Tigray itself, particularly during the genocide. Over 206 individuals linked to this faction are now under scrutiny for:
Misappropriation of humanitarian aid.
Internal sabotage of the TDF’s military resistance.Political repression of civilians to maintain control. Involved in illegal gold mining exploitation In Tigray,
Undermining reform efforts led by the Tigray Interim Government.A fully independent, internationally monitored investigation is imperative to establish accountability and restore public trust.
V. The Emergence of the “Below the Core”: A New Generation of the TDF
In sharp contrast, the “Below the Core” represents a cohort of disciplined, educated, and reform-minded TDF officers and soldiers. They embody the values needed to steer Tigray into a new era of stability and national revival.
Key Characteristics:
Educational Background: Trained in international military academies, universities, and technical institutions.
Ethical Commitment: Aligned with civilian oversight, justice, and democratic nationalism.
Political Independence: Rejection of partisan allegiance, particularly to the remnants of the
TPLF.
Modern Competence:
Skilled in advanced warfare, strategic planning, and cyber defense.
This generation offers a path forward and serves as a bulwark against the regressive legacy of the Above the Core.
VI. The Generational Struggle: TDF’s Internal Civil War
This struggle is more than a conflict of command—it is a generational and ideological battle. It pits a decaying legacy against a rising reformist vision. At stake is not only the future of the TDF,but the political soul of Tigray itself.
VII. Strategic Recommendations
- Full Purge of the Above the Core:
Remove all compromised military personnel and subject them to due legal process, including charges related to war crimes, corruption, and treason. - Establish an Independent Investigative Commission:
Create a credible body composed of legal experts, religious leaders, civil society, and
international observers to investigate and report on crimes committed by the Above the Core. - Strengthen the Below the Core Movement:
Provide targeted support including leadership development, modern military training, and
diplomatic engagement to elevate their influence and operational capability. - Launch a National Civic and Security Reorientation Program:
Replace outdated TPLF indoctrination with a forward-looking civic curriculum grounded in
constitutionalism, ethics, and strategic national interest.
VIII. Conclusion
The legacy of the Above the Core is one of betrayal, decay, and systemic failure. Tigray cannot and must not rebuild on such foundations. A generational transformation is not only necessary—it is existential. The Below the Core represents Tigray’s hope for a new military, a new political ethic, and a new national identity. This transformation requires courage, leadership,and unwavering public support.
Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR) calls upon stakeholders across Tigray, Ethiopia, and the international community to actively support the reformist generation while pursuing justice for victims of past abuses.
