Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
Even the Central Zone’: Tsadkan’s remark sparks debate over divisive language in Tigray politics
By Abrar Fitwi
Recent remarks by General Tsadkan, who stated that “even the Central Zone, which TPLF claims as its base, is now opposing TPLF,” are troubling.
The phrase “which TPLF claims as its base” raises a question. When did TPLF said so? But the more dangerous word here is “even”. It carries the meaning, “even those who should be loyal are turning away.”
Such language is dangerous. Words like “even” shape perception, create invisible boundaries, and plant suspicion and hierarchy among communities, implying that some are more “authentic” or “expected to support” than others. This is how polarization begins: not through open hostility, but through subtle speech that divides hearts and minds.
We have seen this before. Ethiopia’s opposition once used a similar linguistic weapon, portraying the EPRDF as “a party of Tigray” to estrange it from the broader Ethiopian public. That narrative, repeated and normalized, sowed resentment and eventually helped pave the way for the genocide against Tigrayans. Repeating such divisive framing within Tigray today is dangerous and unacceptable.
I stand for unity and oppose anything that weakens it, regardless of where it comes from. If Tigray is to heal, its leaders (military, political, and civic) must act as unifiers. General Tsadkan, as one of Tigray’s visible figures, should recognize the harm of his words and publicly clarify or apologize.
Conclusion
General Tsadkan’s remarkif accurately reported that “even the Central Zone … is now opposing the TPLF,” raises important questions: who is the “Central Zone,” how has the TPLF defined or claimed it, and what is the nature and extent of opposition. But more than that, the framing (especially “even”) carries symbolic weight: it signals crisis, disloyalty, and erosion of assumed support.
Given the stakes Tigray’s recovery, internal reconciliation, prevention of further conflict leaders and public figures should be mindful of how words shape perceptions. For healing to take place, it is not enough to stop bullets; words must also build bridges. General Tsadkan, in his visible role, has an opportunity to clarify, to unite, and to lead in ways that strengthen rather than fracture.
