Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia — In a significant move underscoring the deepening political turbulence in the Tigray region, three prominent opposition parties have issued a unified call for regional solidarity and an inclusive approach to governance, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize the welfare of Tigrayans over ongoing factional disputes within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The joint statement, released by the National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytona), Salsay Weyane Tigray (SaWeT), and the Tigray Independence Party (TIP), comes in response to escalating internal conflicts within the TPLF leadership and growing concerns over the regional administration’s stability. The opposition parties have urged Tigrayans to focus on regional unity and neutrality rather than getting entangled in the TPLF’s internal power struggles.
The backdrop of this appeal is marked by recent comments from Tigray Interim President Getachew Reda, who has publicly criticized the TPLF’s leadership for its role in the region’s ongoing governance crisis. Getachew’s remarks shed light on the severity of the situation, attributing the region’s widespread corruption, mismanagement, and escalating insecurity to the TPLF’s internal discord. He acknowledged a significant breakdown in governance, citing a lack of effective collaboration among the interim administration, security forces, and the judiciary. According to Getachew, these issues have been further aggravated by factional infighting within the TPLF.
The opposition parties have expressed profound concern over the federal government’s portrayal of the TPLF as representative of the entire Tigrayan population. This concern has to do with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent speech, where he warned of the potential for renewed conflict if the TPLF fails to comply with electoral registration requirements. The speech has been criticized for potentially inflaming tensions and exacerbating an already volatile situation.
The parties are calling for an inclusive regional government that can address the needs of all Tigrayans and promote a unified front in the face of ongoing challenges. They stress that achieving this goal requires setting aside partisan conflicts and focusing on collaborative efforts to restore stability and governance in Tigray.
This appeal for unity comes at a critical juncture, as Tigray remains mired in political instability and social unrest. The opposition parties’ statement reflects a broader concern for the future of the region, emphasizing the need for a concerted effort to rebuild trust and ensure that the voices of all Tigrayans are heard in the quest for lasting peace and development.
