Mekelle, Tigray – January 22, 2025 (Tigray Herald)
Analysing the Breakdown of Military Command in Tigray: A Call for Immediate Action
Prepared By Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group
The recent reports emerging from Tigray regarding the alleged illegal actions by certain mid-level officers within the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) have raised grave concerns. These actions represent a direct challenge to the military leadership, the established chain of command, and the overarching authority of the Tigray Interim Government. This troubling development must be unequivocally condemned, as it threatens to plunge Tigray into internal chaos with dire national and regional ramifications.
Understanding the Chain of Command
In military operations, the chain of command is a fundamental principle that ensures the efficient flow of orders and responsibilities from senior leadership to subordinate units. This hierarchical system is critical for maintaining discipline, order, and operational effectiveness.
In the TDF, adherence to the chain of command is essential for:
Operational Cohesion: Ensuring that units act in unison toward strategic objectives.
Accountability: Holding leaders and subordinates responsible for their actions within clearly defined roles.
Civil-Military Relations: Aligning military actions with the directives of the civilian leadership, in this case, the Tigray Interim Government.
Any deviation from this system, especially actions that bypass or undermine the established chain of command, represents a breach of military protocol and a threat to the stability of the entire region.
Emerging Crisis: A Coordinated Challenge to Leadership
Reports indicate that certain mid-level TDF officers are acting in ways that circumvent the authority of the TDF high command. These actions appear to be politically motivated, aligning with the ideological goals of the TPLF’s splinter factions rather than the overarching objectives of Tigray’s Interim Government. This behaviour raises serious questions about loyalty, discipline, and the role of the military in political affairs.
The implications of such a breach are profound:
Erosion of Military Discipline: Allowing unauthorized actions undermines the integrity and effectiveness of the TDF.
Political Weaponization of the Military: Transforming the TDF into a tool for factional politics risks destabilizing governance in Tigray.
Increased Risk of Civil War: A bottom-up approach, where subordinates challenge the authority of their superiors, could lead to widespread internal conflict within Tigray’s population.
Consequences for Tigray and the Horn of Africa
The fallout from this crisis extends far beyond Tigray. If not addressed immediately, it could trigger:
Civil War in Tigray: The fragmentation of the TDF could spark violent clashes among factions, deepening divisions and prolonging suffering.
Regional Destabilization: Tigray’s internal conflict would likely spill over into neighboring regions, exacerbating tensions in the already fragile Horn of Africa.
Undermining the Pretoria Peace Agreement: Violations of the agreement would draw national and international condemnation, leading to further isolation and potential sanctions.
Humanitarian Disaster: Renewed conflict would worsen the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, leading to mass displacement, famine, and loss of life.
Assigning Responsibility: Leadership and Accountability
The primary responsibility for addressing this crisis lies with TDF’s top leadership, particularly General Tadesse Werede, who serves as both the head of the TDF military leadership and the vice president of the Tigray Interim Government. His failure to maintain discipline and control within the ranks reflects poorly on his competence and leadership.
Additionally, the remnants of the TPLF’s splinter factions, led by figures such as Debretsion Gebremichael, appear to be orchestrating these challenges to the chain of command. Their actions represent a betrayal of the Tigrayan people and undermine efforts to achieve peace and stability.
A Call to Action
To prevent a catastrophic outcome, the following steps must be taken immediately:
Condemnation and Legal Action: The Tigray Interim Government must publicly denounce these illegal actions and prosecute those responsible for undermining the chain of command.
Strengthening Military Discipline: The TDF must reaffirm its commitment to the chain of command, ensuring that orders are followed and dissent is addressed through proper channels.
International Oversight: The international community must monitor the situation closely and pressure all parties to adhere to the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
Leadership Accountability: General Tadesse Werede and other key leaders must be held accountable for their failure to address these breaches. This includes implementing reforms to prevent future insubordination.
A Warning to All Stakeholders
If these illegal actions persist, the consequences will be severe. The TDF risks fracturing into competing factions, leading to a total civil war within Tigray. This would not only devastate the region but also destabilize the entire Horn of Africa. The international community will view such developments as a failure of governance, resulting in condemnation, sanctions, and potentially intervention.
The people of Tigray have already endured immense suffering. Allowing internal divisions to spiral out of control would betray their sacrifices and jeopardize the progress made toward
peace. The responsibility lies with all leaders, both military and civilian, to prioritize unity, discipline, and adherence to the principles of governance.
Conclusion
The Tigray Defence Forces must act decisively to restore discipline and uphold the chain of command. The Tigray Interim Government must assert its authority, and the international community must remain vigilant in ensuring that the Pretoria Peace Agreement is upheld. Only through coordinated and decisive action can Tigray avoid descending into another devastating conflict.
Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group
Mekelle, Tigray – January 22, 2025
The fallout from this crisis extends far beyond Tigray. If not addressed immediately, it could trigger:
Civil War in Tigray: The fragmentation of the TDF could spark violent clashes among factions, deepening divisions and prolonging suffering.
Regional Destabilization: Tigray’s internal conflict would likely spill over into neighboring regions, exacerbating tensions in the already fragile Horn of Africa.
Undermining the Pretoria Peace Agreement: Violations of the agreement would draw national and international condemnation, leading to further isolation and potential sanctions.
Humanitarian Disaster: Renewed conflict would worsen the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, leading to mass displacement, famine, and loss of life.
Assigning Responsibility: Leadership and Accountability
The primary responsibility for addressing this crisis lies with TDF’s top leadership, particularly General Tadesse Werede, who serves as both the head of the TDF military leadership and the vice president of the Tigray Interim Government. His failure to maintain discipline and control within the ranks reflects poorly on his competence and leadership.
Additionally, the remnants of the TPLF’s splinter factions, led by figures such as Debretsion Gebremichael, appear to be orchestrating these challenges to the chain of command. Their actions represent a betrayal of the Tigrayan people and undermine efforts to achieve peace and stability.
A Call to Action
To prevent a catastrophic outcome, the following steps must be taken immediately:
Condemnation and Legal Action: The Tigray Interim Government must publicly denounce these illegal actions and prosecute those responsible for undermining the chain of command.
Strengthening Military Discipline: The TDF must reaffirm its commitment to the chain of command, ensuring that orders are followed and dissent is addressed through proper channels.
International Oversight: The international community must monitor the situation closely and pressure all parties to adhere to the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
Leadership Accountability: General Tadesse Werede and other key leaders must be held accountable for their failure to address these breaches. This includes implementing reforms to prevent future insubordination.
A Warning to All Stakeholders
If these illegal actions persist, the consequences will be severe. The TDF risks fracturing into competing factions, leading to a total civil war within Tigray. This would not only devastate the region but also destabilize the entire Horn of Africa. The international community will view such developments as a failure of governance, resulting in condemnation, sanctions, and potentially intervention.
The people of Tigray have already endured immense suffering. Allowing internal divisions to spiral out of control would betray their sacrifices and jeopardize the progress made toward
peace. The responsibility lies with all leaders, both military and civilian, to prioritize unity, discipline, and adherence to the principles of governance.
Conclusion
The Tigray Defense Forces must act decisively to restore discipline and uphold the chain of command. The Tigray Interim Government must assert its authority, and the international community must remain vigilant in ensuring that the Pretoria Peace Agreement is upheld. Only through coordinated and decisive action can Tigray avoid descending into another devastating conflict.
Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group
Mekelle, Tigray – January 22, 2025
