Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
The Tigrayan Tetrarchy: Mapping the Cult of Cronyism and the Betrayers of National Unity
Published by: The Tigray Herald & Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)
The Tigrayan Tetrarchy: Mapping the Cult of Cronyism and the Betrayers of National Unity
The Four Horsemen of the TPLF:Profiling the Dynastic Hardliners Blocking Tigray’s Democratic Future and Looting its Resources
A Strategic Investigative Dossier by the Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)
Prepared by:
Leading Regional and International Political and Security Experts
Date: May 2025
Executive Summary
This dossier unveils the deep-rooted, dynastic, and cronyist networks within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) — a clique now operating as a political cult obsessed with monopolizing Tigray’s power and natural wealth. Amid the ashes of genocide, the hopes of rebuilding Tigray are threatened by internal spoilers masquerading as patriots.
Their weapon of choice:ideological dogma, media disinformation, hereditary privilege, and covert alliances with genocidal forces.
This document maps these power structures, exposes their tools of control, and recommends institutional solutions. It is a call to action: cleanse the political space, restore meritocracy, and honor the struggle for Tigray’s sovereignty and justice.
Part I: Narrative Titles and Symbolic Frameworks
Coin of Betrayal, Coin of Justice: Throughout history, coins have symbolized sovereignty,
ideology, and historical turning points. In Tigray, the coin has flipped — from the noble struggle of liberation to the dark era of betrayal. We now mint a new coin, forged in truth and justice,engraved with the faces of Tigray’s future, not its traitors.
“No Reconciliation Without Recognition – No Unity with Traitors.”
“The Faces Behind the Curtain: Who Controls Tigray’s Destiny?”
“You Cannot Build a New Nation with the Bricks of Betrayal.”
“From Dedebit to Disgrace: The Decline of a Revolutionary Legacy.”
“Coins for the Future: Engraving Merit, Justice, and Democratic Renewal into Tigray’s Political
Economy.”
Part II: Anatomy of a Political Cult
2.1 Defining the Cul
Prepared by: Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)
In Partnership With: International Experts on Security, Diplomacy, and Democratic Governance A political cult thrives on authoritarianism, demands loyalty, fears dissent, and mutates into dynastic monopolies. Today’s TPLF clique passes power via bloodlines, marriage, and loyalty networks.
2.2 From Freedom Fighters to Power Parasites
Once hailed as liberators, the new TPLF elite have transformed into guardians of a hereditary oligarchy. Their politics is not ideological — it is economic, rooted in the control of gold, land,offices, and media influence.
Part III: Mapping the Inner Circle – The Tigrayan Tetrarchy
The Four Horsemen of Regressive Politics
These four individuals symbolize the degeneration of the TPLF into a nepotistic dynasty.
Name|Role|Nature of Involvement|
Reason for Concern
Debretsion Gebremichael
Former TPLF Chairman
Mastermind of political purges, gold exploitation, sabotage
Maintains covert ties with Eritrea, blocks reform
Fetlework Gebregziabher
Senior TPLF Official
Patron of loyalty appointments
Undermines meritocracy, supports loyalists over reformers
Getachew Assefa
Ex-Intelligence Chie Shadow manipulator and surveillance overlord
Orchestrates internal fear and blackmail networks
Alem Gebrewahid
Chief Ideologue
Guardian of outdated, toxic political theology
Weaponizes propaganda to protect the status quo
Additional Actors (Second-Tier Cult Dynasts)
Unnamed Insider Operative: Coordinates younger political heirs
Think-Tank Clique: Sustains polarization through ideology
Part IV: The Media Engine of Disinformation
These platforms and individuals disguise themselves as independent media while operating as ideological enforcers for the dynastic elite. They engage in character assassinations, tribal provocations, and coordinated misinformation campaigns.
Media Actor|Affiliation|Role|Behavior
Dedebit Media (Haile Arefayne)
Pro-TPLF Napeism
Propaganda distributor
Recycles anti-reform, anti-Getachew Reda narratives
Zara Media (Stalin Gebreselassie)
Cult lwarrior Narrative shaper
Denies TPLF complicity in genocide
Tigrai Press (Besrat Kebede)
Inner clique
Revisionist historian
Rewrites recent history to favor dynasts
Awuramba Time (Dawit Kebede)
Opportunist
Ethnic provocateur
Fuels tribal hate and disunity
Brakhe Show (Medhin Gebreselassie)
Dynasty heir
Cultural gatekeeper
Glorifies heritage while betraying reform
Wurayna (Getachew Aregawi)
Crony agent
Digital agitator
Attacks reformers, promotes cultism
Digital Misleaders (Kinfe Gyohans, Abereha Tekulu, Basha Desta, Godefay Telahun,
Aregaye Betewe,etc.)
PFDJ-linked lobbyists
Social media warrior Glorify traitors, deny genocide, sabotage unity
Part V: Why They Betray
Cult Psychology: Dissent is equated with treason.
Fear of Accountability: Past crimes, especially in economic and security sectors, risk exposure.
Hereditary Entitlement: Leadership is treated as inheritance.
Covert Alliances: Secret diplomacy with Eritrea while publicly claiming patriotism.
Meritophobia: Independent leaders threaten their monopoly.
Part VI: National Interests at Stake
Expose to Rebuild: Healing begins with the truth.
Purge Nepotism: Dynasties must not determine destiny.
Justice Over Silence: Victims of genocide deserve recognition.
Merit as the New Currency: Leadership must be earned, not inherited.
Unity Through Reform: Political renewal requires sacrifice and courage.
Part VII: Strategic Recommendations
Establish a National Transitional Ethics Commission
Investigate public officials and media actors for nepotism, treason, and disinformation.
Launch an Independent Investigative Media Bureau
Build a fact-checking, reformist media to expose lies, restore truth.
Implement a Merit-Based Appointment System All public positions to be filled through transparent, competitive processes.
Enforce Media Transparency Laws
All platforms must declare financial, political, and organizational ties Adopt a Tigray Unity Charter
A constitutional covenant banning dynasties and ensuring political accountability.
Final Message: “Who is There?”
The time for silence is over.
Who stands with Tigray’s people?
Who stands with genociders in Asmara?
Who serves inherited power while preaching justice?
Let the public know:
No reconciliation without recognition. No peace without justice. No unity with traitors.
This dossier is dedicated to the mothers of Dedebit, the martyrs of Tigray, the dreamers in
Mekelle, and the reformers who risk everything to restore hope.
Prepared by: Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review (HAGR)Contributors: Regional political
scientists, international legal experts, digital intelligence analysts, Tigrayan reformist leaders,and investigative journalism.
