Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Reflection: A Dangerous Escalation in Tigray—A Call to Prevent Internal Aggression
By Habtamu Belay
Tigray stands once again at a perilous juncture. After years of genocidal war, humanitarian blockade, and displacement, the people of Tigray have been striving to rebuild a society based on justice, accountability, and representative leadership.
Yet, emerging reports indicate a deeply troubling development: a faction of TPLF hardliners, aligned with Debretsion Gebremichael and senior military figures, is planning an aggressive move to assert control over the Southern Zone of Tigray completing what appears to be a coordinated internal takeover that has already encompassed the Central, Eastern, and Northern zones.
This is not a democratic process. It is a power-driven campaign rooted in exclusion, military coercion, and political suppression. A credible source of a high-ranking general who played a leading role in Tigray’s defense and remains committed to peace has sounded the alarm about this looming crisis. This warning must not be ignored.
What is unfolding is not simply an internal party dispute. It violates the principles that the people of Tigray have long fought for: regional self-determination, local autonomy, inclusive governance, and protection from authoritarian domination. The use of military tactics to remove legitimate local authorities represents a serious threat to the post-war recovery process and to the democratic aspirations of millions.
Moreover, this destabilizing campaign can not be understood in isolation. Evidence indicates the hand of the Eritrean government, whose strategic interest has always been to fracture Tigray from within. Eritrea’s influence continues to seep through informal channels, quietly backing efforts to undermine unity and sow internal conflict in Tigray. This is a dangerous proxy strategy that risks reigniting armed hostilities on both internal and external fronts.
Even more concerning is the growing indication that the current Interim Government President, appointed with the mandate to unify and lead Tigray through a post-conflict transition, may have been complicit in this project from the beginning. His failure to condemn the armed takeovers of other zones, his silence in the face of repression, and his alignment with the faction now preparing to destabilize the Southern Zone all point to a breach of public trust.
This betrayal deepens the crisis and accelerates the looming threat of renewed war.
In a clear and decisive response, residents of the Southern Zone have already begun to speak out. Peaceful public demonstrations were held on Thursday and Saturday in key towns, including Maichew, Mehoni, and Alamata. The people gathered in large numbers, raising their voices in opposition to any forceful removal of the legitimate local administration.
These protests send an unambiguous message: the people of the Southern Zone reject the use of force, reject authoritarian overreach, and demand that their voice and agency be respected. The peaceful nature of these demonstrations starkly contrasts with the aggressive maneuvering of those who seek to impose control through fear and militarization.
The stakes are too high for silence. The Southern Zone, still governed by its own legitimate structures, has become the last line of institutional resistance to the resurgence of single-party control. Should this zone fall to the same pressure exerted elsewhere, Tigray risks returning to a centralized, unaccountable regime that failed the people during the most critical moments of war and peace.
We issue this reflection not to incite fear or conflict but to advocate for unity, nonviolence, and immediate international attention. The future of Tigray must not be decided by armed elites behind closed doors. It must be shaped through transparent, participatory processes that reflect the people’s will and honor the sacrifices made during the struggle for survival.
To all Tigrayans, at home, and in the diaspora:
This is the moment to speak with one voice. Unity, vigilance, and civic engagement are essential. Tigray cannot afford further fragmentation. Let us call for de-escalation, protect what remains of the interim institutions, and reaffirm our collective commitment to a just and inclusive political future.
To the international community, United Nations, European Union, African Union, United States, and IGAD: We urge you to take immediate action. The terms and vision of the Pretoria Agreement are being quietly eroded through militarized politics and factional domination.
Tigray’s return to peace is at serious risk. We call on you to:Closely monitor the political and security developments in the Southern Zone Advocate for an inclusive political process involving all zones and communities in Tigray Condemned any attempts to forcibly change local administrations through non-democratic means Investigate the renewed militarization of Tigray’s internal politics and the influence of external actors like Eritrea.
Support independent mechanisms for transitional justice and power-sharing
Tigrayans have suffered too much to be forced back into a cycle of authoritarian control. The only path forward is transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Let this serve as a clear message: the people of Tigray deserve better than another imposed leadership.
The region needs healing, reconciliation, and space for democratic voices, not renewed internal aggression. We call on all stakeholders to stand for peace, uphold justice, and prevent the further unraveling of Tigray’s hard-won peace.
