Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Tigray’s General Kinfe Dagnew tells Radio FM Mekelle 104.4 that relations with Eritrea do not need third-party approval.
In an interview with Radio FM 104.4 Mekelle, General Kinfe Dagnew made remarks regarding the historical and current relations between the peoples of Tigray and Eritrea, emphasizing that future cooperation must be based on mutual consent not dictated by a third party.
The interview, broadcast during the commemoration of the 34th anniversary of Tigray’s Ginbot 20 victory, offered rare insight from one of the region’s former commanders, who played a central role in the armed struggle.
“The armed struggle of the Tigrayan people was rooted in justice, identity, and a clear objective. What we see today is a distortion of that vision,” said General Kinfe, referencing how strategic direction and unity were lost in later years.
General Kinfe clarified that while the struggle initially began as a military movement, it eventually encompassed political, economic, and social liberation. He noted that what set the Tigrayan cause apart was its people-centered and morally grounded approach.
He criticized an efforts to redefine Eritrea–Tigray relations through backdoor arrangements made without public mandate. “Relations between the Tigrayan and Eritrean peoples should not be governed by the interests of a third party,” he said. “They should be rooted in mutual history, values, and the will of the people not temporary political convenience.”
The general also addressed what he called “the betrayal of the people’s trust,” citing how TPLF veterans were sidelined and some former comrades undermined the collective sacrifices made by the Tigrayan people.
Highlighting the brutal nature of the Derg regime, General Kinfe recalled how the armed resistance intensified between 1981 and 1983 in both Eritrea and Tigray, culminating in the symbolic defeat of the junta on Ginbot 20. He warned that any attempt to decouple the struggle from its roots would be a disservice to the people.
“Even after the Derg’s fall, the continuation of war, displacement, and injustice shows that the peace was never made complete. We failed to build an inclusive and just society,” he added.
Crucially, General Kinfe made a clear distinction between the Eritrean people and the PFDJ regime. He called for a genuine people-to-people dialogue that transcends state ideologies.
“The connection between the Eritrean and Tigrayan people is historical and deeply cultural. Any engagement with the PFDJ regime without public endorsement is invalid. Real unity cannot be imposed—it must come from below.”
General Kinfe concluded his remarks by urging Tigrayan leaders and the broader public to critically assess past mistakes and redefine future strategies with clarity and popular legitimacy.
“Let us not allow historical tragedy to repeat itself. The next chapter must be guided by the people, for the people.”
