JUNE 18, 2016 |
The Tigray people’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is now a hollow shell with no national or Tigray plan, which failed to fulfill its initial agenda. It only exists in name to benefit a handful in the name of Tigray.
By Amanuel Biedemariam,
In 1998-2000, the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) unleashed a deadly war against the people of Eritrea under the pretext of a border dispute. Soon after that, it was evident that the plan remained regime change and access to the sea for greater (Abay) Tigray.
However, after over 120,000 Ethiopian and 19,000 Eritrean deaths, regime change by military force is unattainable. As a result, these agendas have now taken various forms. Of course, the TPLF needed a partner, and as always, Washington is there to help.
These include unjustifiable, illegal sanctions attempts to isolate Eritrea, economic strangulations, intimidation of Diaspora Eritreans to stop supporting their government, and stopping the mining industry from making money. The attempts to sabotage are endless.
On Christmas of 2009, Ambassador Susan Rice pushed and passed the first sanction measure. The arms embargo was designed to tie Eritrea’s hands so the TPLF could have its way against Eritrea and failed.
Since, in collaboration with the TPLF, the Obama administration has declared war on Eritrea’s youth and campaigned to push Eritrean youth out en-mass. In a speech at the Clinton Foundation on September 25, 2012, President Barack Obama said,
“I recently renewed sanctions on some of the worst abusers, including North Korea and Eritrea. We’re partnering with groups that help women and children escape from the grip of their abusers. We’re helping other countries step up their own efforts. And we’re seeing results. More nations have passed and more are enforcing modern anti-trafficking laws.”
This message was the green light Eritrean youth received as an enticement to leave their country. The main objective of this message was to ensure Eritrean youth vacate the country to deny Eritrea her defense and workforce.
Unfortunately, this was a call the entire world heard. The message enticed millions from the region and other parts of the world to flee and seek asylum claiming Eritreans. Wittingly or unwittingly, President Obama created massive human waves through the Mediterranean to Europe and other places.
Today, Washington is using the very youth flight that they encouraged to seek an indictment against the leaders of Eritrea in the International Criminal Court (ICC). They are claiming that the youth flight is a result of systemic repression amounting to crimes against humanity.
The so-called Commission of Inquiry on Human rights on Eritrea (COI) is formed to make the case.
The arms embargo is to deny Eritrea the arms necessary for self–defense. They targeted the youth to take away Eritrea’s human resources to deny Eritrea military personnel. While at the same time trying to sue Eritrean leaders. It is yet another regime change attempt by exploiting the international court system, namely The International Criminal Court (ICC), specifically designed to topple African leaders not following western dictates.
The Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) used the bogus COI findings as an opportunity and tried to exploit and demonize Eritrea, push for UN-sanctioned military attack, and divert attention from internal pressures
TPLF is DEAD
In 1991, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front ousted Mengistu Hailemariam, empowered the late Meles Zenawi to become the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
At the time, the TPLF’s main agenda was greater Tigray or Abay Tigray. The TPLF did not want, anticipate or plan to control Ethiopia. By 1991, the TPLF had no competition because all the opposition groups were weakened or destroyed. Still, the TPLF fighters were not keen to push forward and control Eritrea. However, the EPLF insisted the TPLF move forward, pushed it into Addis, and ensured it held Menelik Palace with the help of Eritrean tanks. Eritrea’s main objective was to ensure Ethiopia remained united.
The TPLF’s core principle was an independent Tigray republic. However, the independence goal was compromised due to the miscalculations first, when it seized power, and after the TPLF controlled Ethiopia, it made serious mistakes that destroyed the organization. What are these reasons?
First, it was a miscalculation to control. By taking of Ethiopia, the TPLF shifted from an organization that fought to liberate Tigray into becoming the leaders of Ethiopia. This move forced the TPLF to abandon their Tigray cause partly.
Second, the TPLF’s increasing partnership with international multinational corporations and its reliance on various business ventures to control the nation has turned the core TPLF leadership into businesspeople distant to the cause that propelled them to power. After they acquired millions in financial gains, Ethiopia became too sweet to give up.
Third, because the TPLF was too involved in establishing massive resources, the core constituency, the people of Tigray in various parts of Ethiopia, were making financial gains. As a result, they disconnected from their revolutionary past and became elites of Ethiopia. Defending a nation from the trenches and sacrificing oneself for the greater good have lost meaning, especially for the veteran TPLF fighters.
Fourth, the TPLF was engaged in various regional issues and peacekeeping missions for the US and other powers. The TPLF was doing all these under the banner of Ethiopia.
Fifth, the former TPLF fighters became military leaders and high-ranking officers. In contrast, most Ethiopian troops comprise other Ethnic groups and are not committed to the TPLF greater Tigray agenda.
Key
The above points show that the Tigray people’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is a shell that failed to fulfill its dream by veering its agendas. The TPLF is an organization that can no longer nurture its base. Moreover, the TPLF has no national or Tigray plan and therefore finished as an organization. It only exists in name to benefit a handful in the using the name Tigray. And after the death of tyrant Meles Zenawi, the identity crisis has reached new heights. The TPLF is increasingly losing control and in disarray. The internal divisions are now public knowledge.
Therefore, the latest war propaganda against Eritrea is a desperate attempt to deflect attention from the mounting internal pressures. It assures its handlers, the US and EU, that it is committed, capable, and working hard to ensure the Eritrea regime change in Eritrea. Plus, war rhetoric kills investment opportunities, stops economic developments, deter investors from coming to Eritrea.
The key here is that the TPLF no longer has Tigray agenda. It also does not have an Ethiopian agenda. Hence the war rhetoric is not received well in Ethiopia.
Ethiopians are condemning the TPLF aggression, signing petitions against the COI findings, and protesting against the US EU injustices against Ethiopians.
Ethiopians have seen the double standard that ignores the true crimes against humanity perpetrated by the TPLF, including genocides that the regime commits with impunity all over Ethiopia.
The TPLF is divided and spread thin because it is involved in many issues. At the same time, the TPLF lost the support of the people in Ethiopia. On the contrary, Ethiopians see the TPLF as an enemy and favor Eritrea over the TPLF.
In 1998-2000 when the TPLF waged war against Eritrea, it managed to garner the support of the majority of Ethiopia. The table has turned as most of Ethiopia is working to topple the minority regime and is willing to do it in partnership with Eritrea.
Even the people of Tigray are arming against the TPLF, a prelude to ultimate doom.
To make matters worse, the TPLF is losing the wealth it accumulated throughout Ethiopia fast.
The TPLF’s significant investment in Ethiopia is in Oromia. With the uprising, the people of Oromia have made it clear that the TPLF can no longer loot their riches. To protect its investment, the TPLF killed innocent Oromos en-mass and inflicted irreparable damage. As a result, Oromia is lifting arms against the TPLF. The TPLF has done this in Gambella, Ogaden, Showa, Afar, and all over Ethiopia.
As a result, the situation in Ethiopia is no longer predictable. If the status quo remains, it will enhance the risk for division and, ultimately, civil chaos. The Ogaden and Oromia can opt for Article 39, which can spiral to endless cycles of uncertainty.
Conclusion
The TPLF regime is disconnected from its original base and ideals.. The only support it counts is the support it gets from the US and EU. Indications that these are the last days of a dying regime that is ready to abandon ship with the millions they stole from the mouths of poor Ethiopian children.
The TPLF looted Ethiopia in the name of Tigray at the expense of the people of Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, and Africa.
The TPLF has failed. Today, Weyane or TPLF is enemy number ONE for Ethiopia and the region. It is therefore imperative to ensure its demise for the future of the area. Unfortunately, because the TPLF exploited Ethiopia in the name of Tigray, the people of Tigray could become a target. Hence, it is incumbent upon the people of Tigray to acknowledge the damages that the TPLF caused and join Ethiopia to fight the TPLF
