By HORN OF AFRICA GEOPOLITICAL REVIEW (HAGR)
Editorial Introduction
The establishment of the Tigray Peace and Change Council has emerged as a notable development in the evolving political landscape of Tigray. The Council joins a broader spectrum of opposition actors that have, for several years, criticized the governance record, institutional performance, political culture, and strategic decisions associated with the TPLF.
As political competition evolves, the central question extends beyond identifying shortcomings within the existing political order. Increasing attention is being directed toward whether alternative political actors possess comprehensive, practical, and implementable strategies for governance and post conflict recovery.
Across democratic systems, opposition movements are ultimately evaluated not only by their criticism of incumbent authorities but also by the credibility of the alternatives they present. For many observers, the principal issue is whether political opposition has progressed from protest and advocacy toward policy development, institutional planning, and administrative preparedness.
Against this backdrop, the following questions are presented as part of a broader public policy discussion. They are intended to examine governance readiness, institutional capacity, strategic planning, and long term vision for Tigray’s future.
I. Governance and Political Transition
- What is the Council’s detailed roadmap for governing Tigray in a post TPLF political environment?
What would be the priorities during the first one hundred days?
Which institutions would be restructured?
Which laws would require amendment?
What model of governance would replace the current political architecture?
- How does the Council intend to facilitate political transition while minimizing risks of instability, institutional fragmentation, or internal conflict?
- What timeline has been established for political transition?
Six months?
One year?
Five years?
How would progress be measured?
- Has the Council developed a comprehensive transition framework that integrates political, economic, legal, security, and social dimensions
II. Peace Negotiations and Federal Engagement
- Has the Council established a dedicated negotiation team for engagement with the Federal Government of Ethiopia?
- Who would represent the Council during negotiations?
What qualifications and expertise do they possess?
What mandates would guide their negotiations?
- Beyond general political objectives, what specific issues would the Council prioritize during negotiations?
- What strategy would be pursued to encourage full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement?
- What mechanisms would be proposed if implementation were delayed or stalled?
- Has the Council developed a framework for confidence building between Tigray and the federal authorities?
III. Internally Displaced Persons and Territorial Restoration
- Does the Council have a comprehensive strategy for the safe return of internally displaced persons?
- How would voluntary, safe, and dignified return be guaranteed?
- What policies would guide the Council’s approach regarding Western and Southern Tigray?
- What strategy would be pursued concerning the withdrawal of non Ethiopian National Defense Force and non Tigrayan armed actors from contested areas?
- How would housing, land, and property rights be restored?
- What safeguards would prevent secondary displacement?
- What plans exist for rebuilding communities, public services, and local institutions?
IV. Security, Demilitarization and Institutional Reform
- What is the Council’s long term vision for security in post conflict Tigray?
- Does the Council support comprehensive security sector reform?
- How would armed actors be integrated, demobilized, or professionally restructured?
- What role, if any, would a future Tigray Peace Force play?
- What safeguards would prevent the re emergence of a militarized political system?
- How would civilian governance be institutionally separated from military influence?
V. Accountability, Justice and Reconciliation
- Does the Council support establishing a Tigray National Inquiry Commission?
- Would such a commission investigate all actors irrespective of political affiliation?
- What framework has been developed for transitional justice?
- How would corruption, abuse of office, illegal enrichment, and institutional failures be investigated?
- How would justice and reconciliation be balanced?
- What strategy exists for strengthening social cohesion and addressing divisions within Tigrayan societ?
VI. Youth, Recruitment and Social Stability
- How does the Council respond to concerns regarding youth militarization and forced recruitment?
- What alternatives are being proposed for young people?
- What plans exist for employment creation, education, vocational training, and economic opportunity?
- How does the Council intend to engage Tigrayans who have relocated to Addis Ababa and other parts of Ethiopia?
- Can demographic displacement be transformed into civic participation, political engagement, and economic contribution?
VII. Diaspora, Diplomacy and International Engagement
- Has the Council developed a comprehensive diplomatic engagement strategy?
- Have dedicated engagement mechanisms been established for:
The African Union
United Nations agencies
International humanitarian organizations
Western governments
The Tigrayan diaspora
Tigrayan business communities
- How does the Council intend to translate diaspora engagement into measurable political, economic, and institutional outcomes?
- What strategy exists for mobilizing international support for reconstruction and recovery?
VIII. Media, Information and Public Communication
- Has the Council established a professional strategic communications framework?
- Who is responsible for media relations and public communication?
- How does the Council communicate its position regarding concerns related to militarization and recruitment?
- What approach would be taken to address misinformation while protecting freedom of expression?
- What strategy exists for responding to propaganda, coordinated information campaigns, and media manipulation?
- How does the Council intend to strengthen public confidence in an environment characterized by competing political narratives?
IX. Institutional Reconstruction
- Has the Council prepared a written institutional reconstruction strategy?
- Has a comprehensive assessment of governance and institutional weaknesses been completed?
- Which institutions are identified as priorities for immediate reform?
- What oversight mechanisms would monitor public officials?
- How would corruption investigations be conducted?
- What safeguards would ensure transparency, accountability, and public confidence?
X. Regional Relations and Eritrea
- What is the Council’s policy regarding future relations with Eritrea?
- How does the Council assess public allegations concerning tactical relationships between political actors in Tigray and Eritrea?
- What policies would be implemented to reduce external interference in Tigray’s internal affairs?
- How would regional diplomacy be strengthened while safeguarding Tigray’s political and security interests?
The Defining Question
Political transitions inevitably raise expectations regarding governance, institutional capacity, and long term vision. While identifying weaknesses within an existing political order forms part of democratic debate, sustainable political alternatives are generally assessed by the quality of the solutions they offer.
For the Tigray Peace and Change Council, as well as the wider Tigrayan opposition, a central question increasingly emerges:
Are the opposition forces prepared not only to challenge the existing political order but also to govern effectively, rebuild institutions, restore public confidence, support the return of displaced communities, strengthen the economy, advance reconciliation, and contribute to a stable post conflict future?
Ultimately, political credibility is shaped not solely by criticism but by the capacity to present coherent policies, practical implementation strategies, and accountable governance.
The people of Tigray continue to seek clarity regarding the vision, priorities, and institutional roadmap that competing political actors would bring to the region’s future.
Editorial Reflections
A compass without a map cannot lead a nation home.
The test of opposition begins where criticism ends.
Governance is measured by plans, not promises.
Political legitimacy is strengthened through practical solutions rather than slogans.
The future cannot be built on the ruins of unanswered questions.
Every political transition requires more than ambition; it requires institutional architecture.
A movement seeking public office is ultimately assessed by its preparedness to govern.
The road to sustainable peace is built through strategy, dialogue, and effective institutions rather than rhetoric alone.
HORN OF AFRICA GEOPOLITICAL REVIEW (HAGR)
Independent Regional and International Geostrategy, Security, Political, Legal and Institutional Affairs Analysis
