Restoring Tigray: Manifesto of the Movement for Change in Tigray

Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London

Restoring Tigray: Manifesto of the Movement for Change in Tigray

1. Introduction

Following the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (PCoHA) signed in Pretoria in November 2022, the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray (IRAT) was established with a defined set of objectives.

These included the rapid restoration of essential public services, the reaffirmation of Tigray’s constitutional boundaries, the facilitation of the safe, secure, and voluntary return of Internally Displaced Persons and refugees, the implementation of comprehensive Security Sector Reform (SSR/DDR), the initiation of economic recovery & reconstruction efforts, and the creation of an environment conducive to future free, fair, and democratic elections, ultimately leading to the formation of an elected government.

This political transition, a direct outcome of the PCoHA, presented a critical opportunity to reform the political landscape in Tigray, which had long been characterized by a single-party control. It offered a chance to reconstitute the severely compromised social cohesion of the Tigrayan people, strengthen their collective capacity, and, most critically, ensure the full and complete implementation of the PCoHA to preclude any return to armed conflict. Moreover, it was intended to enable a phased resolution of the ongoing political crisis by bolstering internal institutional capacity and garnering sustained international support.However, the political system, which was inherently susceptible to military influence, was ultimately subverted by the same.

A faction within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) plotted with cohort military commanders to usurp and consolidate political authority, perpetuating a narrow and clique-based power structure. The IRAT, plagued by internal conflicts from its inception, was decisively destabilized and rendered ineffectual by the TPLF’s deep-seated divisions and the direct interference of military commanders.Senior Tigrayan military commanders, in an unprecedented move, participated in a meeting of the Central Committee of a single political party and overtly forced a change in its decisions.

Furthermore, these commanders, who had organized themselves as “Corps and above Corps,” publicly announced on January 15, 2025, their intent to support the TPLF’s faction led by the TPLF Office, pledging to fight alongside it in a clear exceedance of their official mandate. This action was followed by efforts to subvert the legitimate government. Consequently, the political discourse in Tigray shifted from a peaceful, legal struggle to an armed, factional conflict driven by group interests.

This process has not only relegated the urgent humanitarian and governance issues of the Tigrayan people but has also fractured the unity between the populace and the military, placing the region in grave danger of renewed hostilities. It has also led to a significant deterioration of the social and political unity of the Tigrayan people.

Subsequently, Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, the very person who despite being its Vice President overthrew the first IRAT, was installed as the new president with a highly publicized vow to form a more inclusive administration and work for the expedited implementation of the PCoHA. Halfway into his one-year term, President Tadesse has delivered none of what he promised, instead he has effectively shelved all the important tasks that he had publicly acknowledged and committed to prioritize before the international community.

He established an administration entirely controlled by the TPLF faction and the military commanders aligned with it. Through the TPLF Office faction, he is also reported to be forging alliances with external actors 2in direct contravention of the PCoHA. This trajectory poses a serious risk of returning the people of Tigray to a state of war and transforming the region into a theater for external conflicts, which could lead to irreversible devastation.

2. The Imperative for the Formation of the Movement for Change in Tigray

Given the circumstances, it has become extremely difficult to conduct a stable and peaceful political struggle within Tigray. It is now a region where freedom of movement is compromised, where the threat of renewed armed conflict is increasing daily, and where the potential for it to become a battlefield for foreign forces is high. The social fabric has been fractured, leading to a dispersion of the populace and the military, and a proliferation of lawlessness. Should this untenable situation persist or escalate into renewed conflict, the future of the Tigrayan people will be in severe jeopardy. Therefore, it is deemed essential to initiate a concerted effort to halt this destructive path and safeguard Tigray.

Consequently this broad based Movement for Change in Tigray, has been launched by these four political parties advocating for change in Tigray viz
(i) National Council of Greater Tigray (Baytona), (ii) Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty (Arena), (iii) Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Simret), and (iv) Renaissance of SebeA (70) Enderta, as well as three prominent Tigrayans in (a) Lt. General Tsadkan Gebretensae, the former Chief of Staff of the ENDF,(b) Major General Abebe Teklehaimanot, the former Commander of the Ethiopian Airforce and (c) Ato Assefa Abraha Hagos a former Minister.

This movement is launched on the principle of “Saving Tigray by suspending all ourdifferences,” creating a unifying platform where all political organizations, civil and professional associations, and influential individuals can converge on specific transitional goals to fundamentally alter the current trajectory and secure the future of Tigray. To achieve this, the movement will establish a common, hierarchical structure and collaborative working arrangements to provide decisive leadership to the popular desire for change that is currently galvanizing throughout Tigray. It aims to reverse the current and deepening path of destruction by mobilizing a massive popular movement to replace the existing administration with a system of governance that is determined by the people and for the people themselves. Through this process, it also seeks to replace the long-standing one-party rule in Tigray with a government that truly represents the will of the people.

3. The Objectives of the Movement for Change in TigrayThe Primary Objective of this movement is to mitigate the impending threat of war in Tigray and to establish an all-inclusive administration from the regional to the lowest administrative levels to safeguard the peace and save the people of Tigray. It further aims to reform the governance system and lay the groundwork for an election and transition to a more representative, 3democratic political system and ultimately replace the entrenched single-party rule by arepresentative and responsive multi-party system.To achieve these goals, the movement will focus on the following pillars:

I. Peaceful and Legal Advocacy for the Implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement•
Working towards the safe, secure, and dignified return and resettlement of displaced persons.

• Advocating for the full restoration of the constitutional order including the respect of Tigray’s constitutional boundaries.
• Striving to ensure justice & accountability for past & current violations.
• Promoting the proper implementation of the DDR program and the appropriate SecuritySector Reform as stipulated in the PCoHA.

II. Establishment of an Inclusive Interim Administration

• Activating the Interim Legislative Council to provide necessary legislative authority and executive oversight.
• Forming an inclusive, merit-based Tigray Cabinet.
• Restructuring and strengthening administrative structures and Woreda, City & Tabia councils to ensure representation & accountability to the people.
• Ensuring the comprehensive provision of public services and the restoration of peace and security throughout Tigray.

III. Preparation for Democratic Elections and Establishment of an Elected Government• Creating a conducive environment necessary for the conduct of free and fair elections.• Facilitating the establishment of a legitimately elected government in Tigray.

4. Organizational Structure of the MovementThis movement will be structured as follows:

4.1. Membership and Integration• The movement will be comprised of legally registered political parties, professional associations, civil society organizations and influential personalities. Regional-level entities will be represented in the highest body of the movement, the Political Council. Corresponding bodies at the zonal and woreda levels will be integrated into their respective structures.• Tigrayans residing in Addis Ababa and other parts of Ethiopia will establish their own organizational structures and processes for participation. A mechanism will be developed through consultations with the Tigrayan diaspora to facilitate their full representation & engagement.

4.2. The Political Council•

This council will serve as the supreme decision-making body, responsible for setting the strategic direction to achieve the movement’s objectives. It will consist of representatives from the member organizations & individuals.

4.3. The Executive Body

• This body will be responsible for the implementation and oversight of the decisions made by the Political Council.
• It will establish various specialized committees as necessary to facilitate its work.
• These committees will be led by members of the executive body.
• The committees will be required to present their work plans and progress reports to the executive body and the Political Council.

1. Requirements for membership to the Movement

The primary requirements for Tigrayan political forces, both current members and prospective ones, are their commitment to and fulfillment of the following principles:

• Acceptance of the right to self-determination of the people of Tigray.
• Prioritization of the national existence and interests of Tigray.
• Commitment to the peaceful and legal implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
• Striving to ensure the territorial and political sovereignty of Tigray.
• Dedication to achieving fundamental systemic change in Tigray.

The movement will, as a foundational principle, be inclusive of all forces that are in consensus and prepared to struggle for these and similar national interests of all Tigrayans.

6. Adoption, Declaration, and Implementation

The National Council of Greater Tigray (Baytona), the Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty (Arena), the Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Simret), and the Renaissance of SebeA Enderta, along with prominent personalities in Lt. General Tsadkan Gebretensae, Major General Abebe Teklehaimanot (Jobe), and Ato Assefa Abraha Hagos, have formally agreed to adopt and pursue the common goals outlined above and have officially founded this movement.

7. A Declaration of Purpose: The Path Forward

The homeland of our people has regrettably become a battlefield. Tigray has been reduced to a contested space for a few political factions. The regressive leadership has taken the people of Tigray hostage to protect its narrow interests and consolidate its hold on power, thereby acting in an anti-national and anti-reform manner.

This leadership is also actively working to sow divisions among Tigrayans along regional lines. The people of Tigray, particularly women and the youth, are enduring immense suffering while a select few act with impunity. Our territory is fragmented, our people are dispersed, and our collective future is in peril. At this critical juncture, the risk of another devastating war has become imminent.Therefore, we, the founding members of this peaceful and legal movement to save the people of Tigray, have decide not to remain passive and stand as observers. We call upon all Tigrayan political forces, professional associations and civil societies, and individuals who share the goal of saving our people, to set aside their personal, group, or party interests and ideologies,to join the Movement for Change in Tigray, at all levels, and fight together with us to save our people and secure the future of our nation.

Modern and reformed governance systems are the only sure way to our unity and peaceful existence!!!

Signatories:

(1) National Council of Greater Tigray (Baytona)(2) The Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty (Arena)(3) The Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Simret)(4) The Renaissance of SebeA (70) Enderta(5) Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae(6) Major General Abebe Teklehaimanot (Jobe)(7) Ato Assefa Abraha Hagos