Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London,April 9፡2025 (Tigray Herald)
The Courage of Thought: Getachew Reda and the Demolition of TPLF’s Political
Tyranny
Executive Summary
This document provides a critical, deep, and historically grounded examination of the political and ideological assault on former Tigray Interim President Getachew Reda, a respected reformist leader whose ideas of
inclusion, post-genocide healing, and institutional rebuilding challenge the very core of TPLF’s five-decade legacy of violence, exclusion, and criminal political control.
The latest assassination attempt against President Getachew is not an isolated act of rogue violence-it is a systematic manifestation of TPLF’s ideological rigidity
and criminal networking, threatening not only Tigray’s democratic future but also its fragile peace.
I. Introduction: Courage in an Age of Guns and Fear
Courage is not the absence of fear-it is the ability to confront entrenched systems of oppression with unwavering resolve. President Getachew Reda embodies this form of political courage. His leadership has
attempted to steer Tigray away from TPLF’s inherited culture of violence, nepotism, and exclusion.
His efforts to usher in political inclusiveness and accountability have made him a prime target for a militarized criminal-political elite that has ruled Tigray by fear for decades.
History will remember Getachew K. Reda as a bold figure who stood tall during Tigray’s darkest hours.
He spoke with clarity, led with conviction, and carried the weight of a wounded nation on his shoulders. His contribution to good governance, strategic leadership, and communication set him apart—especially when the world needed to hear Tigray’s voice. He was open-minded, well-read, and grounded in both local and international politics.
He knew how to operate in both micro and macro-political environments, navigating the complexities of our time with intellectual strength and tactical flexibility. His ability to speak truth, even under pressure, made him a respected figure far beyond our borders.
II. The Historical Context: TPLF’s Political Violence Timeline (1975-2025)
1975-1991: TPLF rises as a liberation front, quickly adopts authoritarianism.
Assassination and silencing of
internal dissenters. 1991-2018: Dominates EPRDF, silencing opponents and centralizing economic power. Internal purges continue. 2018-2020: Loss of power triggers panic; violence and sabotage against rivals.
2020-2022: War and genocide marked by extreme violence and criminal conduct. 2022-2025: Post-peace attempts to reform sabotaged. Assassination attempt on Getachew Reda.
III. Getachew Reda’s Political Thought: A New Vision for TigrayTigray
- Inclusive Governance: Encouraged youth, civic, and women’s participation. 2. Justice and Accountability:
Advocated for independent judiciary and investigation into TPLF corruption. 3. Post-Genocide Diplomacy Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review Engaged globally for peace, reform, and economic recovery.
IV. Why TPLF Sees Getachew as an Existential Threat
He is not part of their dynastic networks. He challenges the gun culture with reform. He threatens TPLF’s criminal economy. His moral leadership exposes their illegitimacy.
V. The Political System He Fought Against
TPLF’s system is based on single-party authoritarianism, generational corruption, political exclusion, weaponized militias, and total control over all institutions including the judiciary, economy, and media.
VI. The Price of Courage: Getachew as a Political Martyr
Leadership in post-genocide Tigray demands moral courage. President Getachew Reda has faced death for his beliefs, making him Tigray’s last honest statesman and a symbol of resistance against a violent political
cult.
VII. Strategic Recommendations
Tigray Interim Assembly: Establish Independent Inquiry, reform the security sector, and protect reformist leaders. International Community: Support investigations, impose sanctions on TPLF-affiliated entities, and support institutional rebuilding.
VIII. Conclusion:
The End of a Dynasty, The Beginning of a Nation
TPLF’s political dynasty is collapsing. Getachew Reda’s ideas are essential for Tigray’s survival and future.
Only by rejecting guns and embracing governance can Tigray thrive
