opinion: by Ewnetu Smaw

What has transpired in Tigray over the past two years is profoundly disheartening. Some former military heroes and retired TPLF members—once widely respected—have now, shockingly, chosen to align

themselves with Abiy Ahmed, the very person responsible for war, destruction, and immense suffering in Tigray. In a painful and twist turn of events, a few have even begun publicly praising him, calling him a “peacemaker” and suggesting that he seeks to restore normalcy in Tigray, if only the TPLF would step aside.

 

This reminds me of something I will never forget. During the darkest days of Tigray’s genocidal war, one unripe and clueless individual said, “It’s actually a good thing that Tigray’s industries were destroyed…this brings the opportunity to replace them with modern machines…. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told us that he would rebuild everything with brand-new and advanced equipment.” Hearing such statements
filled me with deep sorrow. I remember thinking to myself, “God, have mercy on Tigray. Is this really the kind of person who might lead our people?”

 

Here we go again. Sadly, a few respected military heroes and some retired TPLF members—driven perhaps by resentment—are now claiming that if it weren’t for the continued presence of the TPLF, Abiy
Ahmed would have already begun rebuilding Tigray. This is dangerously naive.

Make no mistake. Abiy Ahmed is not a misunderstood reformer. He rather is a genocidaire. He is a man whose hands are soaked in the blood of innocent Tigrayans. He has shown, time and again, that he is utterly devoid of compassion, lacking even a shred of empathy for the suffering of millions. He is a pathological liar who cloaks his brutality in polished speeches and hollow promises. His words mean nothing;
his actions scream cruelty. He has no moral compass. Only has an insatiable hunger for power, no matter the cost.

 

To suggest that Abiy Ahmed, who waged a genocidal war on Tigray, would have somehow “helped” rebuild it is not just absurd. It is a betrayal of truth, memory, and justice. My respected friends, the
solution to Tigray’s crises is not complicated. It begins with a single act of willingness and honesty. Abiy Ahmed holds the choice to honor the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA): return Tigray’s occupied
territories to pre-war status and ensure the safe return of displaced Tigrayans to their homes. This is not a favor. It is the foundation of any path toward normalcy. And the power to make it happen lies squarely
in Abiy Ahmed’s hands. Anything less is a betrayal of peace and justice.

 

Let me be unequivocal: I hold, and continue to hold, profound respect for the selfless sacrifices these revered military heroes and retired TPLF members made in the past to defend and protect their people. They stood in defense of their people against a war aimed at their very existence. In the face of overwhelming adversity, they remained steadfast—not for personal gain but for the preservation of their people’s dignity and survival.

 

When I hear a handful of immoral individuals launching unchecked character assassinations against Tigray’s heroes — including those who appear to have aligned with Abiy Ahmed, I am overcome with deep sorrow and feel a profound sense of shame. It is heartbreaking to witness immoral voices defaming and dishonoring these revered heroes—those who gave everything in the service of their people by throwing awful and baseless insults. Such disgraceful behavior not only disrespects their sacrifice but wounds the very soul of a people who owe them so much. This must end!

 

There exists a rightful process through which any legal transgressions or violations must be addressed, a process rooted in due process and the rule of law. True accountability cannot be achieved through accusations based on hearsay or by condemning individuals on social media without substantial evidence and a fair legal hearing. To bypass this is not only a legal failure but a profound moral injustice. It erodes the very foundation of an ethical society. Every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty through a transparent and impartial legal process. Upholding this principle is not merely a legal obligation—it is a moral imperative that protects the dignity, rights, and integrity of all.

 

Their extraordinary courage and unwavering dedication during those defining moments deserve our enduring gratitude and must never be overlooked or diminished. The legacy they forged—reflected in the
progress they helped bring about across various sectors—should be preserved and honored at all costs. Their achievements laid the groundwork for future generations and continue to serve as a source of inspiration, encouraging young generation to recognize and respect what was built through immense struggle and sacrifice, and to carry that legacy forward with integrity and purpose. While shortcomings may exist, they cannot and should not obscure the value of their past contributions. To disregard this would be to betray not only the truth of our shared history, but also the hope it continues to inspire.

Why Risk Their Legacy

It is heartbreaking to witness revered heroes jeopardize their legacy. These were once the embodiment of courage, sacrifice, and vision—figures who inspired a generation and stood tall as symbols of resilience and unshakable integrity. Seeing their light fade into shadows is a sorrow that lingers in the hearts and minds of their supporters. To witness them now take actions or positions that contradict the
values they once championed is agonizing. It not only tarnishes their hard-earned reputations but also shakes the public’s faith. Their legacy, built over years of dedication and struggle, becomes vulnerable to doubt
and controversy. For those who once looked up to them, this shift can feel like betrayal, as if a guiding light has dimmed, leaving behind confusion, sadness, and a sense of loss.

 

The messages these revered heroes and politicians have recently been disseminating through media outlets are profoundly troubling and dangerously undermine the very cause for which they once fought with
such valor. Their words now carry a bitter and unsettling twist of irony. They’re urging the people of Tigray to cozy up to the very man who set Tigray on fire — Abiy Ahmed, who orchestrated their suffering. It’s an
irony to ask a traumatized people to join hands with the government who is responsible for their pain. The appeal, cloaked in the language of peace, is a cruel and cynical inversion of justice: asking victims to reconcile with the very hand that inflicted their wounds

 

I call on these esteemed military heroes and retired TPLF members to pause and reflect with unflinching honesty. Just ask yourself: who truly gains from your current positions and decisions? The answer
is unquestionably Abiy Ahmed alone but not the people of Tigray. Every step that distances you from the cause you once so bravely defended serves only to strengthen the hand of those who have inflicted
immeasurable suffering on the people of Tigray. This is a moment to remember who you are, what you stood for, and whom you vowed to protect. Take a moment to look back and remember those young fighters—brave souls you once trained and led into battle—who gave their lives defending their people. Their sacrifice was not merely a loss on the battlefield, but a deep and enduring human cost that continues to echo in the hearts of all who knew them. Imagine how they would feel if their spirits could witness their once-revered leaders aligning with the very brutal force they fought so fiercely against. The sense of betrayal would be heartbreaking. They would be devastated.

What changed your conviction?

Once, you had the courage to cast aside personal comfort, ambition, and material gain to stand hand-in-hand with your people in the face of annihilation. You risked everything including your precious lives
to join the just war that began in 2020—a war born out of necessity, out of love for Tigray, and a refusal to accept injustice. So, what has changed now? What compels you to abandon that sacred cause? Tigray
still bleeds. Her people still cry out under the crushing weight of grief, displacement, and hunger. Her lands remain under the control of Abiy Ahmed’s hostile forces. Justice remains a distant hope, while the
perpetrators of unspeakable atrocities roam free, unchallenged and unrepentant.

 

In this grim reality, how can you choose to join Abiy Ahmed’s camp—a regime rooted in brutality, impunity, and deceit? How can one who once fought for justice now join hands with a criminal enterprise responsible for the suffering of your own people? My beloved and respected brothers, this is not the time to retreat. Not into silence, and certainly not into the arms of the very forces you once resisted. This is the moment to remember what first ignited the fire in your heart. The cause has not faded. The need is greater than ever. You, who gave your life, your strength, and your resolve to defend what is right—you are
still needed. Your people still believe in your voice, your wisdom, your courage. This is not a message of accusation, but of remembrance.

 

Remember who you were when the skies turned dark, and the world abandoned the people of Tigray. Remember the strength that came not only from weapons, but from the unwavering love for your people
and an unshakable sense of duty.

The struggle is not over! Tigray still calls! Will You Answer Her Again?

Whatever legitimate grievances you may have against the TPLF, aligning yourself—directly or indirectly—with Abiy Ahmed is not a principled position; it is a grave strategic miscalculation. Abiy Ahmed
has repeatedly demonstrated, through both words and actions, that he is no ally of Tigray. If the TPLF left you with a bitter taste, Abiy Ahmed offers nothing but a deadly poison. Let’s not pretend there’s any moral
equivalence here: one is flawed; the other is a ruthless, inhumane adversary.

 

But the deeper irony and perhaps the most galling aspect is that many of those now rushing to disown the TPLF’s legacy were once at its very center. They were not mere by standers; they were key actors, decision-makers, and enforcers of the very policies they now denounce. To see them now claim innocence or moral superiority is dishonest. They criticize the TPLF for being too controlling — yet where were their objections when that control was exercised under their watch? They denounce the TPLF for silencing dissent — yet they themselves are quick to dismiss anyone who questions their authority or narrative. They condemn the TPLF’s political dominance but fail to offer any credible or coherent alternative.

 

Rather than constructively engaging with Tigray’s future, they are consumed by the goal of dismantling the TPLF, as if Tigray’s salvation lies solely in its demise. TPLF’s adversaries often claim that TPLF is resistant to change. Some even go so far as to frame the TPLF as a responsible entity for Tigray’s genocide, shifting blame away from Abiy Ahmed. True leadership does not consist of rewriting your past to
suit the present. Nor does it lie in partnering with those who have brought ruin to your people. Tigray does not need another round of elite betrayal. It needs courage, clarity, and above all, a commitment to the
people — not to personal vindication or political vengeance.

 

Make no mistake: Abiy Ahmed continues to inflict cruel harm on the people of Tigray, showing no trace of remorse or any sign of acknowledgment for the atrocities he has committed. His actions, even after the atrocious genocide, are not those of a leader seeking peace or reconciliation, but of a man consumed by a ruthless drive to dominate. Day and night, he works to dismantle Tigray’s political fabric by sowing internal divisions through manipulation, bribery, and a tightly coordinated disinformation campaign operated by state aligned propaganda networks. His regime thrives on deception—preaching unity and peace with one tongue while using the other to conspire against Tigray’s very existence. Abiy Ahmed has no intention of restoring Tigray to its rightful status or honoring the CoHA; instead, he continues to gamble with Tigray’s future, exploiting its suffering as a tool in his relentless quest for unchecked power. His actions expose a brutal personality cloaked in hollow rhetoric—a man willing to sacrifice truth, justice, and innocent lives to preserve his grip on power. This is not reconciliation, nor is it peacebuilding. It is gaslighting — a calculated effort to whitewash Abiy’s crimes, including genocide, and to recast injustice as a reasonable compromise.

 

Therefore, it is difficult to comprehend how individuals with a storied legacy in the fight for Tigray’s autonomy, dignity, and survival have so readily surrendered their integrity. To hear them now arguing that
Tigray was on a path to change—and that this supposed change was abruptly halted by the TPLF’s resurgence—is both misleading and deeply unfortunate. Such a narrative ignores the harsh reality that Tigray has been, and remains, engulfed in turmoil. The people of Tigray have not experienced genuine peace or security; instead, their lives have been marked by instability, fear, and unrelenting hardship. To suggest
otherwise, is to distort the lived experiences of a population still grappling with the aftermath of war and political betrayal.

 

These figures, once seen as symbols of bravery and resistance, now sing the praises of Abiy Ahmed while vilifying the TPLF, the only organized body currently attempting to protect Tigray from further
disintegration. The narrative of a few of them is not only false but dangerously naive. It was not the TPLF that dragged Tigray into war, displaced millions, bombed civilian infrastructure, and weaponized famine and sexual assaults. That blame lies squarely with Abiy Ahmed and his partners in crime. To now suggest that this same man is the answer to Tigray’s salvation is to deny reality and insult the intelligence and suffering of the Tigrayan people.

 

Even more troubling is their portrayal of the TPLF as a threat to peace, based on unfounded claims of its alleged ties with Eritrea—rhetoric that eerily mirrors the talking points of Abiy Ahmed’s propaganda machine. Abiy Ahmed truly fears the TPLF’s pursuit of peace with Eritrea, as it directly challenges his grip on power. It opens a door for the TPLF to break free from Abiy Ahmed’s siege. More importantly, his real fear lies in the resurgence of a stronger TPLF and a defiant Tigray that refuses to yield, demanding justice, accountability, and the restoration of its rightful territorial integrity. It is dangerously naive to believe that peace can be found within Abiy Ahmed’s ambitions or intentions. True peace cannot be built on the foundations of military occupation, war crimes, and deliberate betrayal.

 

Unfortunately, the motivations of the revered military heroes and retired TPLF members remain opaque. Instead of holding the federal government accountable for the displacement of Tigrayans, the denial
of basic services, and the ongoing violation of Tigray’s constitutional rights, their concern and fear appears to be on Abiy Ahmed’s power. Some individuals from the former interim administration of Tigray have remained conspicuously silent on the return of internally displaced people and the fate of western and southern Tigray—a silence that reflects a deliberate political choice, revealing where their loyalties now lie. Worse still, they have sought to delegitimize the TPLF leadership by attacking their age, as if political wisdom and historical experience are liabilities. Ironically, many of these critics are no younger. Lacking constructive ideas or a viable political alternative, they have instead resorted to poisoning Tigray’s political discourse through misinformation and division.

 

The people of Tigray must remain vigilant. History will judge those who, in the face of genocide and occupation, chose to align with power rather than principle. No amount of social media campaigns or false promises of “reconciliation” can erase the truth: Abiy Ahmed is not a savior of Tigray, and those who serve him under the guise of peace are not friends of the people.

 

This is not a time for confusion or appeasement. It is a time for clarity, unity, and unwavering resistance to the forces that seek to dismantle Tigray from within and without. Let us not be distracted by those who have lost their moral compass. The struggle for Tigray’s survival and dignity continues — and it will not be led by those who bend to the will of their oppressor.

 

I earnestly call upon the revered military heroes and retired TPLF members to deeply reflect on their current stance. Aligning with Abiy Ahmed—a man whose regime has unleashed unspeakable suffering,
mass atrocities, and the deliberate destruction of Tigray—is not only a moral failure but a catastrophic betrayal of everything our people have endured. By any measure, the TPLF was not, and will never be, a
greater enemy to Tigray than Abiy Ahmed. No amount of resentment toward the TPLF—however legitimate or justified—can ever compare to Abiy Ahmed’s unforgivable crime of genocide against our people. To
collaborate with such a figure is to side with the architect of our people’s suffering. It is to abandon the sacrifices of our martyrs, the hopes of the wounded, and the future of generations to come. History will neither forget nor forgive silence, compromise, or complicity. The call of this moment is clear: stand with Tigray, not with its destroyer