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RATIONALE FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF TIGRAY:
By Mekonnen Abraha February 12, 2022 Eligibility: According to the Montevideo Convention of 1933 and UN Articles on Responsibility of states (2002 the following 4 are what are required to call yourself a nation: Article 1 states, “The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications: a) a permanent population; b) a defined territory; c) government; and d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states” 1. Defined Territory: Tigray has a well-defined territory (Bordered by Eritrea to the north, The Sudan to the west, Amhara region to South and Afar region to the east and southeast. (50, 097 square kilometer); 2. Permanent population: Tigray has a population of 7.07 million as per 2020 census; 3. Must have a government: Tigray has a government elected by its people; 4. Potential to interact with other governments/entities. Technically, we are communicating as we speak, but informal communication can continue with other countries moving forward. We all have those requirements. Additionally, we have our language, religions and culture intact. We do not have to adjust to anything new. Further, by doing so, we are reclaiming what we already had. We can establish informal relationships with other countries effective immediately. Steps to take: 1. Declare independence 2. Get recognized, over time 3. Be a free member of the international community and get respect and dignity. NAME: TIGRAY, Geolocation: 14’156402 N. 38’1859 E. Religion: Christian, Moslem and Judaism Economy: Major economy: Agriculture Resources: Gold, Copper, Silver, Iron, Zinc. Lead, oil shale Population: 7.o7 million as per 2020 census Background: Yeha: 700-500 BC. Strong Axum: 80 BC-825 AD. Axum minted coins in 27 AD. Axumite trade interrupted by Persians in 602 AD by blocking the Red Sea route and also the decline of the Nile route use. Axumite Civilization continued from 825 AD to 1200 AD, even though it was declining. WHY SHOULD TIGRY BE AN INDEPENDENT NATION: There are many valid reasons why it should be. First, let us see what contributions Tigray made to Ethiopia and how Ethiopia has betrayed it. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ETHIOPIA AND ETHIOPIANS: HISTORY: Keeping historical records: The Axumites have kept records of books, manuscripts in monasteries, churches, caves, underground, mountains, to save them from foreign invaders and pass them to the next generation of Ethiopians. CULTURE Currency: Axum minted its own currency in gold, silver, and bronze around 270 A.D. Developed writing system for their Ge’ez language that contained vowel marks in each letter written left to right. It became a church language and later to Tigrigna and Amharic. RELIGION: They introduced the Orthodox religion in Ethiopia, first in Africa LITERATURE: they developed Geez script and saved them by hiding in caves, churches, monasteries so that they would not be lost or burned by enemies that they faced at the time. Tigrigna and Amharic languages are born from Geez.
ARCHITECTURE: The Axumites built steal up to 75 100 ft, that survived without repair for 2000 years and also built magnificent curved churches and rock Hewen Churches. There are more than 100 Hewen Churches in Gerealta alone. They build a dam at Cohaito (colie) and terracing at Yeha. PHILOSPHY/EDUCATION/HUMANITIES: Zera Yacob born in 1592 enhanced literature, Hateta (first ranked philosopher compared to Greek philosopher, Descartes. He is the first who advanced the equality of women to men. “Women must be treated like men” was quoted to have said. Yared, another magnificent philosopher/educator is said to have commented on a good teacher, “A good teacher is not one who only couches the brilliant students but who supports those who have problems, lagged behind and motivates them to be brilliant” Douga, his book is about poetry, prose. He developed chants for church holidays and Sunday services. DOMESICATING Crops: The Axumites domesticated Taff, segem, mishela, dagusha, ater, and they introduced siwa, and miyes -national drinks. MILITARY: The Axumites produced many military geniuses including Ezana, Abrha, and Alula and Yohannes in the 18th Century. They defeated all foreign enemies who attempted to colonize or occupy Ethiopia. Nobody can deny those contributions. Tegaru have sacrificed many during their lives defending Ethiopia from foreign enemies. They fought many battles: 1875: against the Egyptians; 1876: against Egyptians; 1888-1889: Battle of Metema against Mahdists who burned 33 Churches in Begemidir 1884; Battle of Kufe against Osman Digna; 1884-85: Batthle of Debrehaila against fascist Italy; 1894-96: The Battle of Coatit against fascist Italy; 1894-95: Battle of SenAfe against fascist Italy; 1895: The first battle of Amba Alagie; 1941: The second battle of Amba Alagie against fascist Italy; 1943: The third battle of Amba Alagie against the British Air force (invited by king Haileselassie to quell the first Woyane Rebelion. More that 116 bombs were dropped in Corbeta, Hintalo, and Mekelle; 1935: The battle of Shire against fascist Italy. The Italians sprayed poison gas starting from Tekeze River all the way to Adua on crops, animals, rivers and people. 1936: The battle of Enderta. (Anticipating defeat, the Italians used yperite/arson on the bombs they dropped in Makelle, Hintalo, and corbeta targeting rivers, crops, cattle, people and essential assets; 1936: The first battle of Tembien: against fascist Italy; 1916: The second battle of Tembien against fascist Italy. 1935-43: Battle of Tembien, second batle of Tembien, the First Battle of Amba Alagie, and Second battle of Amba Alagie, Battle of Shire, and Battle of Enderta against Italians. All those battles were fought by Tegaru to defend Ethiopia and Ethiopians from foreign invaders. Ironically, the Tegaru are still considered “enemies of Ethiopia”; “Bandas”. Those wars were not without cost. Thousands of Tegaru died, animals –caws, oxen, sheep, goats were slaughtered to feed the army, many trees were cut off to cook food for the fighting army. Human cost and natural resources were sacrificed to fight for the Ethiopian people and to save the country from external enemies, Then Tigray is called “barren”. Despite all those sacrifices, Tegaru are not appreciated or compensated by the Central government in Addis Abebe. Instead, they have been always targeted by subsequent governments under King Menelik, King Haileselassie, Mengistu Hailemariam and now Dr. Abiy. Tegaru have always been suspects by those leaders in Addis Ababa and their followers. For example: For example: King Menelik: divided and created havoc among Tigray leaders including Ras Mengesha, Ras Alula, Ras Sebhat, Dejazmach Gebreslassie, and Ras Hagos and killed many Tegaru leaders and exterminated thousands and thousands of innocent Tegaru King Haileslassie: In 1943, during the third battle of Amba Alagie, King Haileselassie invited the British Air Force to quell the first (self-defense) Woyane Rebelion. 116 bombs were dropped in Corbeta, Hintalo, and Mekelle killing thousands and destroying essential assets. Mengistu Hailemariam: Engaged the Tegaru in conflict for 17 years. He mass-murdered more than 3,000 innocent Tegaru in a Hausien market and more than 60, 000 killed and more than 120, 000 wounded during the 17-year struggle fighting and defending themselves against his murderous policy. Dr. Abiy: who is a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is supposed to contribute to peace did not take time to generate conflict and attack Tegaru in the fictitious and fabricated name of “LAW ENFORCMENT OPERATION “ by inviting foreign powers including Eritrea, Somalia and the UAE. He continued buying sophisticated weapons-drones from Turkey, Iran, UAE and China to exterminate the Tegaru from the face of the earth. As long as Addis Ababa leadership continues to have hostile and genocidal relationship with the Tegaru, there is no way way Tegaru can live under Addis Ababa leadership safely. All the consecutive leaders in Addis Ababa consistently invited foreign powers to subjugate Tegaru. In the case of King Menelike, he collaborated with Italians dividing Tegaru and Eritreans; In case of King Haileselassie, he invited the British Airforce to drop bombs in Tigray; in the case of Colonel Mengistu, he invited the Russians and Cubans and bought $11 Billon worth of weapons to subdue the Tegaru and finally, in the case of Dr. Abiy, he invited Somalia, and Eritrea and collaborated with the UAE, Turkey, China and Iran by buying their destructive drones to destroy the long unshakeable history, culture, religion and language and national morale of Tegaru. All those actions indicate there has been viciously calculated plan to always check Tegaur in their place. What are the specific Genocidal acts committed in Tigray by Dr. Abiy’s Government? It is in public domain that many horrific acts of genocide are committed in Tigray. Innocent men, women and children are killed, dead bodies are burned and their properties looted. People are buried in mass graves and mass-graves defaced. women were sexually abused by 10 men to a woman. Nails were inserted in to the private parts. the women were told that they are not allowed to have children who would fight when they grow, children were executed in front of their parents and parents in front of their children. All economic and all vital infrastructures like schools, universities, hospitals, clinics and small industries are destroyed and their valuables looted. Churches and monasteries are destroyed and manuscripts looted. Currently, more than 7 million Tegaru are under total blockade even from emergency and essential services. No internet, no telephone, no banks, no electricity- electric stations are bombed, no transportation. Further, thousands of Tegaru throughout Ethiopia are in prison, put in concentration camps denied of food and medicine and still some their whereabouts unknown. More than 100,000 children in Tigray are malnourished and 47 % of pregnant women are malnourished because access to the region is denied by Abiy, (UNICEF). This kind of cruelty is unheard of in human history. Tegaru pay taxes and contribute $40 Million yearly to the national economy of Ethiopia and consequently pay the salary of Dr. Abiy and his followers. Further, there are still others who are not satisfied with the horrific actions that were done to Tigry and still plan to eradicate the rest of Tegaru: For example, People like Tilahun Yilma (PHD), Abebaw Taddesse, Ethiopian Defense Force Deputy Army Chief General aggressively advocating for the extermination of Tegaru. Justifying the extermination of Tigrayans, Tilahun Yilma of UC Davis said “Cancer is treated with radiation & chemicals. Cuz if even one cell survives, it will replicate & destroy [the host]. Woyane is cancer. We need to have a program to systematically eradicate them, making sure no one remains". In addition, Abebaw Taddesse, Ethiopian Defense Force Deputy Army Chief General sounded off by saying, “Tigray is part of Ethiopia and no force will stop us from entering. We will enter and we will eliminate the enemy. There should not be any confusion about this. Further, Daniel Kebert, Chief advisor to Dr. Abiy said, “They (Tigrayans) must be the last of their kind” calling for the extermination of Tegaru. Still further, in an Associated Press report, “Ethnic Profile, ” General Tesfay Ayalew, in an internal memo said “We have to clean them out of our inside "referring to Tegaru. Those are just few examples of the cognitive mind-set of the current Ethiopian authorities and their followers. Worst of all, no organization, civil or political in the country has condemned the savage genocidal acts committed by the Abiy government against the innocent men, women and children of Tigray. Remember the elite in Ethiopia are remnants of EPRP, Mason, Derg, etc. Who do not have love affair with Tegaru and they will not stop until they achieve their goal-annihilation of Tegaru. Now, the question is what is the rationale to live under those who invite foreign powers to exterminate us from the face of the earth? . Currently, Tigray is in a state of total blockade: No electricity, no telephone, no internet, no bank, no transportation because drones are attacking moving vehicles, no food, no medicine, even essential ones, for emergencies. the wounded are suffering from pain because there are no antibiotics. This cannot continue. Something has to be done. The leadership in Addis Ababa, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner cannot continue saying they would do peace with Tigray and still send drones while Tegaru are denied to have those meals-basic needs. The other thing to consider is Tegaru cannot keep on fighting for good. We have to get rid of this entanglement with Ethiopia. Fighting is a method or means to meet apolitical goal/objective/independence. The way to solve it is to declare independence. As we speak, do we get anything from Ethiopia? None. Once Tegaru achieve their goal, Tigray will be a member of the international community by being member of the UN and respect its rights. After that, Tigray will follow friendly foreign policy with our neighbors-the Amhara, Afars, Eritreans, the Sudanese and all other people. Abiy’s Tegaru annihilation project must be taken very seriously. One of the strategies to fight this scheme and succeed is unity with diversity. One Tegaru, one stand. In the middle of annihilation, small differences among us, even if they are important, can wait. Critical thinking- accommodation, tolerance, self-reflection and inclusive but focusing on the mutual danger must be the guiding principles for any communication among us. The essence of communication is to understand and be understood and understanding the danger from Asmara and Addis Ababa commonly is indispensable. One has to understand before being understood. The messages' objective and the message, has to be clear with sincere, caring, loving, understanding and with open-mindedness. As all of you might know, the main reason for conflict is because people refuse to acknowledge each other’s differences and pushing their views. But If everyone us is interested in the safety of each Tegaru and the establishment of vibrant Tigray, there is no place for conflict or misunderstanding among us. The common denominator is the safety of Tegaru and Tigray. It must be understood also that Tigray is not for one particular group. Tigray is for all Tegaru. Different views advanced by any Tigraway must be heard and understood. No exception. Communication and Social cohesion/organization/ social participation: Honest communication and social cohesion are essential elements for the welfare of the general public of Tigray that help lead to cohesive national goal. As suggested by (Larsen, 2013), social cohesion is the belief held by citizens of a given nation/state that they share a moral community, which enables them to trust each other. It motives people to work on projects geared towards a target goal, national goal. Fractured social structure cannot achieve those goals, regardless of planning. Social cohesion focused on planned national interest is paramount. This can be done when leaders of the people guide the public to this planned and cohesive national interest. Communications among us have to be evidence-based and also with mutual respect. That is the way to succeed. Also, what is important is good governance that is consensus oriented, Accountably, responsive, equitable and inclusive, effective and efficient, follows the rule of law, participatory and transparent and leadership credited with credibility, candor, clarity, compassion, consistency that has focus on national interest via policy formation, monitoring and evaluation.
We have been kind to others but not to ourselves. Ex. Tegaru helped other nationalities in Ethiopia to organize and create national identity, still helped others to get independent like Eritrea but not freed ourselves. IT IS TIME TO BE KIND TO OURSELVES. ALSO, IT IS FOOLISH TO THINK, ANYMORE, THAT A GOOD LEADERSHIP WILL COME IN ADDIS ABABA THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE WELFARE OF TEGARU. FOREIGN OFFICE: At this moment I suggest a foreign office Whose main function is to coordinate Tegaru outside Tigray. It has to establish a network where all Tegaru are connected to and raise money on a monthly basis to fund Tigray. That foreign office has to be consensus oriented, accountable, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, follows its rules and regulations, participatory and transparent. Will have branches and all tegaru outside Tigray will be networked to the branch office of their proximity. I will leave you with this message: “We hate some persons because we do not know them; and we will not know them because we hate them” This was said by Charles Caleb Colton, 1780-1832. There is something to be learned from this saying.
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