Mekelle, Tigray January 13,2025 (Tigray Herald)
Accountability and Justice: A Call for Transparency in Northwestern Tigray
Subtitle:
Unveiling the Truth Behind General Megebe Haile’s Alleged Role in Illegal Gold Mining
and Human Rights Violations.
An Open Letter to General Megebe Haile, Head of the TDF Military Western Frontier
General Megebe Haile, Over the years, accusations have mounted against you and the TDF military Western Frontier under your leadership.
These allegations paint a damning picture of illegal gold mining exploitation, systemic harassment, and human rights abuses in Northwestern and Central Tigray zones. It is imperative to confront these serious accusations and demand accountability.
Critical Questions and Challenges
Illegal Gold Mining Exploitation Under Your Command You claim ignorance regarding illegal gold mining, even denying any knowledge or involvement.
However, substantial evidence from Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group—gathered over the past 18 months—contradicts your denials.
The facts on the ground indicate that this criminal activity is taking place in areas under your military division’s control. If you are innocent, why have you not acted decisively to halt these operations and bring the perpetrators to justice?
It is not necessary to catch you digging gold with your own hands. As the head of the TDF military in this region, your duty is to prevent and punish criminal activities, not to facilitate them.
Protection and Escorting of Gold Mining Criminals Numerous reports highlight your division’s active role in protecting and escorting gold mining criminals, enabling illegal exploitation of Tigray’s natural resources. If you are innocent, why haven’t you stopped these operations?
Why are members of your division accused of providing security for illegal gold mining operators instead of safeguarding the land and its people?
Suppression of Local Resistance
In areas such as Zana District and Tembeyn, your division stands accused of beating, harassing, and terrorizing innocent civilians, particularly the youth, who are bravely resisting the illegal exploitation of their land.
If you are truly innocent, why have these heinous acts occurred under your leadership? Why are civilians who defend their rights being punished while criminals are protected?
Accountability for Harassment and Displacement
Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to Northwestern Tigray, especially in Tselemti District, face persistent harassment and displacement by Amhara militias. Unlike your counterpart General John Medide Yohanes in Southern Tigray, who has maintained a peaceful and secure
environment for IDPs, your leadership has failed to provide the same protection.
Why has your leadership fallen short in safeguarding these vulnerable populations? Is this failure a reflection of neglect or complicity?
Credibility and Integrity Under Scrutiny
Public feedback surveys and investigative reports have significantly diminished your credibility and integrity.
Your name is now synonymous with complicity in crime. How do you respond to these perceptions, and what steps will you take to restore trust?
Demands and Warnings
Immediate Action Required
Cease all forms of protection and support for illegal gold mining criminals.
Halt the harassment, imprisonment, and terrorization of civilians, particularly the youth.
Accountability and Transparency
Publicly address these allegations with evidence to prove your innocence. The burden of proof lies with you, as the presumption of innocence does not erase overwhelming evidence of complicity.
Cooperate fully with investigations by international human rights organizations to ensure justice.
Consequences for Inaction
Be warned that all collected evidence has been shared with international human rights organizations. Names and roles of individuals involved in illegal activities have been documented.
Those responsible will face accountability.
Powerful Narratives and Messages
“Leadership is measured not by words but by actions. If you are innocent, act like it. If you are guilty, justice will find you.”
“The soil of Tigray is soaked with the tears of its people—not from its blessings of gold, but from the betrayal of its guardians.”
“Your uniform represents protection, not oppression. Stop being an instrument of backward Tplf political ideologies.”
Conclusion
General Megebe Haile, the people of Tigray demand answers. The least you can do is take responsibility and address the grievances of those under your jurisdiction. If you cannot protect the people, stop aiding their oppressors. Your silence and inaction are as incriminating as the crimes you are accused of enabling.
The time for accountability is now. The world is watching, and history will remember.
Prepared by
Tigray Media Watch Digital Intelligence Monitoring Group,undercover investigation team.
