The former president of Tigray Regional State and founder of the opposition political party, Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty, Gebru Asrat said that officials of the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front were holding Tigray people “hostage” while employing “extreme rhetoric” against the federal government.
“The situation in Tigray region is highly worrisome. TPLF officials have now been hiding in Tigray. This has to be noted. As members of EPRDF, they have taken part in the convention but currently they have taken refuge in Tigray,” Gebru told the weekly Amharic Addis Admass, in one of his first major interviews since Abiy Ahmed took office
“Leaving aside the reason for their flight, we should remember that they are just hiding, mobilizing the people for the war. There is conducive political atmosphere that helps them in fomenting the conflict,” he said, mentioning the combative gesture by some Amhara elites to reclaim land that was taken away, that he said has become grist to the mill.
Gebru said there is also “the war cries of the Eritrean president” that is aggravating the situation. “All these factors have changed the political climate. It is for these reason that these individuals, caught in multiple scandals of corruption, have not been arrested, the changed political climate and extreme difficulty of ensuring the rule of law in such a situation,” he said.
Gebru Asrat has regularly made his opinions on politics known since his falling out with Meles Zenawi Meles at the end of the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict. He served as president of Tigray region from 1991 to 2001 and served at the same time on the Executive Committee TPLF and EPRDF. He joined other prominent Tigrayans to establish Arena Tigray and he authored an acclaimed book entitled “Sovereignty and Democracy,” published in 2014.
Geberu said respect for human-rights and rule of law have deteriorated markedly in the region. “TPLF has become more repressive than before. It is a party thrown out of power by the central government. It is now left with Tigray region. It has become more tyrannical for fear of losing it.
Recalling how Amdom Gebreselassie, the spokesperson for Arena Party, was interrupted with disruptive applause at Mekele University conference recently, Gebru said TPLF officlas are more than ever determined to avoid hearing differing or dissenting views, rather opting to remain in their own ideological bubbles.
“They are publicly saying the region doesn’t need another alternative party. They are echoing the slogan ‘One people, one heart, one party.’ What makes the situation worrying is some elites, whether paid for their services or by coercion are keenly promoting this dangerous discourse, with so little regard for the truth,” he concluded.
Image: The Reporter
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I applaud Ato Gebru for telling the truth. I know this is not easy. People who are bent on distorting the reality would not be happy to hear that, even if this is realty. Extremist wing of TPLF have been rallying people toward action not constructive, such as blocking roads of the National defences forces. this is not only worrisome but also dangerous.
Another issue being ignored: In Tigray region, some basic necessities are becoming rare. The spike of bread and Injera spiked while quality tumbled. Bakery lines stretched for hours as people waited for single loaf. One injera cost around 18 birr and shiro 80 birr.
Nothing is new the boys of TPLF have to invoke Eritrean name to sell their failures, wonder why are Ethiopian politician try to hide theri ineptness by blaming Eritrea? perhaps it is something to do with Ethiopians attitude not mature!!!!
Mr Gebru, go on clean your yard instead of blaming His Excellency President of Eritrea, after all you must be jealous of Debretsion is getting closer to our beloved President and holding hands must have make you hmmm, Gebru come on we are not boys anymore spill the beans!!!!
Abiy is not going after TPLF officials because they are corrupt, but because it would assure him complete control of power and liquidating rivals. there are other corrupts in the other parities.