The Dangerous Deception: Reject the Manipulative Slogan “Youth Must Rise and Seize Power” A Call for Patriotic Wisdom in Tigray

By Justice for the voiceless,

I recently watched the interview of Shewit Bitew on Nile Media. I am grateful that he is safe and has returned home. He represents one of the brightest young voices for the future of Tigray. His dedication and willingness to sacrifice for his people and his nation deserve recognition and admiration.

During the interview, he emphasized prioritizing sovereignty before internal confrontation. This is a wise and commendable position. However, one issue continues to concern me deeply. Many activists and opponents of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front repeat a slogan again and again:

“The youth must come to power.”

At first glance, this may sound progressive and inspiring. But when examined carefully, this slogan is often used as a political weapon, a manipulative narrative designed to destabilize societies and open the door for opportunistic power grabs. Of course, youth must eventually lead. Every nation must renew itself through new generations. But the real question is not whether youth should lead.

The real question is how and when. Leadership must emerge through sovereign institutions, constitutional order, and legitimate electoral processes. Without these foundations, calls for immediate power transfer can create the very instability that enemies of the nation seek.

You cannot raise arms against your own people and at the same time claim to support peaceful democratic transition. Anyone who has lived in democratic societies understands that legitimate leadership comes from institutions, rule of law, and the will of the people not from chaos or force.

Despite the immense suffering our people have endured, Tigrayan society remains remarkably disciplined, organized, and politically mature, shaped by strong cultural values, faith, and decades of political experience. In many ways, our society has demonstrated greater democratic resilience than many of our neighbors.

Yet today, the slogan is repeated again and again:

“Youth must take power.”

But we must ask ourselves honestly:

Where have we seen this slogan before?

We witnessed a similar movement during the 2018 Ethiopian political transition, when the Oromo-Amhara youth uprising promised reform, democracy, and prosperity. Instead, the result has been years of instability, civil war, economic decline, and the destruction of trust among communities. This painful experience must serve as a warning. History has also shown us the tragic consequences of political chaos in countries such as Libya, Syria, and Sudan where manipulated revolutions destroyed institutions and shattered entire nations.

Tigray must never walk that path.

The war against Tigray was not only fought with tanks and artillery. It was also fought through systematic destruction of infrastructure, burning homes, looting property, and terrorizing civilians.

The objective was clear:
to create long-term instability, mistrust, division, economic collapse, and forced migration. For several years, these strategies succeeded in weakening our society. But today, there may be a new opportunity. There are signs that relations with neighboring peoples who were once misled by divisive propaganda may begin to change. If handled wisely, this moment could open the door to cooperation and long-term stability. But this moment must be guided by strategic patience and national unity not reckless political competition.

The youth must understand something very important:

The struggle ahead is not about grabbing power.
It is about building a nation.

Violence against our own people in the pursuit of political power must be rejected without hesitation.

An injustice against one of us is an injustice against all of us.

Respect the Legacy and Strengthen the Future

Another principle must remain sacred.

No one should disrespect the heroes and heroines who sacrificed for our people over the past five decades.

These men and women gave their lives and the lives of their families for the survival, dignity, and freedom of our people.

They built institutions, expanded education, strengthened healthcare systems, rebuilt infrastructure, and opened opportunities for development and self-administration.

Many who criticize them today were either too young to witness these achievements or were not yet born.

Yes, mistakes were made. Corruption existed among some individuals. Internal betrayals weakened the system. Political opponents worked with powerful international actors who wanted leaders willing to serve their geopolitical interests.

Through coordinated campaigns of character assassination, respected leaders were discredited and undermined.

Yet despite enormous pressure, those leaders made an extraordinary decision:
they handed over power peacefully in 2018.

What followed afterward is known to everyone.

So we must ask a simple but honest question:

Has life improved since that so-called revolutionary change?

You handed over the “bank and the tank” to new leaders in the name of change.

What did the country gain in the last eight years?

This does not mean the Tigray People’s Liberation Front was perfect. No government is.

But in terms of national security, economic development, and political stability, the country stood on far stronger ground.

People who build inevitably make mistakes. But those who build also deserve recognition.

It is also important to remember that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front has long believed in generational renewal.

The party implemented a replacement policy designed to promote younger leaders into positions of responsibility. Today, many members of its central committee and regional administration are themselves young leaders.

Therefore, the claim that youth have been excluded from leadership is not only misleading it ignores the very policies that have already brought younger generations into power.

We must not fall for enemy slogans and manipulation designed to destroy a half-century-old political movement that has proven its sacrifice, discipline, and resilience.

This movement has been tested through war, hardship, and political struggle. It is respected and often feared by adversaries precisely because it has demonstrated principles, organization, and strategic thinking.

Those who seek to destroy it often offer no serious ideas for nation-building.

Their politics is built on conspiracy, division, and service to outside interests.

A Plea to the Patriotic Youth of Tigray

To the patriotic youth of Tigray:

You are the guardians of the future.

Do not allow yourselves to be manipulated by deceptive slogans.

Do not allow anger to replace wisdom.

Do not allow outsiders to turn you against your own people and institutions.

Instead:

Build institutions.
Defend the rule of law.
Respect the sacrifices of those who came before you.
Protect the unity and dignity of your people.

The mission of your generation is not to destroy what exists.

It is to strengthen it, improve it, and carry it forward.

Politics must be like a relay race.

One generation passes the torch to the next not through chaos, but through responsibility.

Stand for your country.
Stand for your people.
Stand for justice and sovereignty.

Reject surrender.
Reject division.
Reject manipulation.

Stand proudly for the future of Tigray for your children, your families, and the generations yet to come.