ይኣክል! “Enough is Enough!”

Abiy Ahmed, the current Prime Minister of Ethiopia, has become the architect of unprecedented suffering for Tigray and Tigrayans. His governance is defined by a deep-seated animosity toward Tigray, marked by sinister orchestration of policies and actions designed to isolate, weaken, and devastate the region. From deliberate acts of economic strangulation to fostering violence and displacement, Abiy’s agenda, from the gate go, has been to dismantle Tigray’s societal fabric and erase its historical significance. His calculated moves reflect a clear intent to exacerbate divisions and prolong the suffering of the Tigrayan people, leaving them in a state of despair and uncertainty. His tenure is marked by an alarming consolidation of power, fostering ethnic divisions, and employing authoritarian tactics to suppress dissent and perpetuate his regime’s dominance. The situation in Western Tigray is among the most glaring manifestations of this. In a political landscape rife with opportunism, Western Tigray has emerged as a critical flashpoint—a symbol of displacement, suffering, and political manipulation. To the displaced Tigrayans, Western Tigray is more than land; it is their home, heritage, and identity. Yet, Abiy Ahmed’s decisions seem to trivialize this profound connection.

Abiy Ahmed’s handling of Western Tigray can be likened to the shuffling of cards in a cynical political game, where lives and livelihoods are dealt with and discarded at whim. It is worth reminding the world, especially those who might have believed his earlier justifications, that the war he started in Tigray in 2020 under the guise of ‘law enforcement’ was never solely about the TPLF. It has become increasingly evident that his motives extended far beyond this, encompassing a broader agenda of targeting the people of Tigray, dismantling their institutions, and exacerbating their suffering to serve his regime’s ambitions.

Abiy Ahmed has strategically leveraged Western Tigray as both a symbolic offering to placate his wife, Zinash, who hails from Gondar, and as a calculated instrument to exacerbate divisions among the Semitic peoples of the North. This maneuver resonates with the Oromo Prosperity Party’s narrative of undermining the perceived historical dominance of Semitic groups in Ethiopia, further entrenching political instability and serving their agenda of consolidating power through division. This dual strategy exemplifies his broader agenda of leveraging ethnic divisions to consolidate power. This act symbolizes personal indulgence and highlights a wider pattern of authoritarian governance that leverages land and people as bargaining chips. Such actions are antithetical to any credible notion of democracy or justice.

For the ይኣክል (Yi’Akle meaning ‘Enough is Enough’) movement, the plight of the displaced Tigrayans and the dispossession of Western Tigray resonate deeply. Yi’Akle represents a collective cry against ethnic cleansing, abandonment, and deprivation, as well as a demand for accountability and justice. It is a movement spearheaded by the displaced people themselves and supported by all Tigrayans at large, who have united to demand the immediate and full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement and their return to their homes while protesting the violence, ethnic cleansing, and demographic engineering that forced them to flee their ancestral lands. These displaced families, including women, children, and the elderly from not only Western Tigray but also some parts of Northern, Northwestern, and Southern districts of Tigray—now occupied by Eritrean and Amhara forces—continue to endure unimaginable hardships.

As also reported by humanitarian organizations, these millions of displaced families are living under appalling conditions in makeshift camps, overcrowded schools, and other inadequate facilities. They face exposure to extreme weather, including cold, heat, rain, and mud, with little access to clean water, sanitation, or healthcare. The lack of adequate shelter and basic necessities intensifies their suffering and vulnerability, while humanitarian assistance remains insufficient. Their struggles are compounded by limited access to necessities, exacerbating their suffering and vulnerability.

Furthermore, many youths from these families are vacating sheltering camps, embarking on perilous migratory paths to Arab countries or, for those who can make it, seeking better pastures elsewhere. This tragic migration—often marked by harrowing journeys—is not incidental but rather a deliberate strategy by Abiy and his allies to dissipate Tigray’s population and weaken its societal fabric.

The Tigrayan leadership, weakened by Abiy Ahmed’s orchestrated efforts and constrained by the pressing need to avoid military escalation, has struggled to take meaningful action in response to its population’s growing demands. Trapped in the scars of past conflict and the cautious patience of their war-weary people, the leadership has been unable to address the urgent calls for justice and restoration effectively. This paralysis risks alienating their base and undermining their legitimacy at a time when decisive action is most needed.

The international community’s muted response to the atrocities committed in Western Tigray—including ethnic cleansing, systematic displacement, and the destruction of cultural heritage—has emboldened Abiy’s regime. This silence, whether driven by geopolitical pragmatism or apathy, has devastating consequences for the displaced Tigrayans, who yearn for justice and the right to return home.

As supporters of Yi’Akle, we must amplify the voices of the displaced. Their stories of loss, resilience, and hope must reach major diplomatic cities worldwide. The narrative that Western Tigray and other occupied areas can be treated as mere pawns in Abiy’s political chessboard must be decisively challenged. To do so, we need to:

1. Document and Disseminate the Truth: Collect testimonies from displaced Tigrayans and compile evidence of human rights violations in Western Tigray and other occupied areas. Share these accounts widely to counter the regime’s propaganda and inform the global community of the situation.
2. Engage the Diaspora: Tigrayan communities worldwide have a unique role in advocating for justice. They can leverage their positions to lobby foreign governments, international organizations, and human rights bodies to hold Abiy’s regime accountable.
3. Mobilize Peaceful Protests and Campaigns: Organize demonstrations and awareness campaigns that spotlight the plight of displaced Tigrayans and demand the restoration of Western Tigray and other occupied areas to their rightful inhabitants.

Western Tigray and other occupied regions are not gifts to be given or taken; they are the birthplaces of countless Tigrayans who carry their history and culture in their hearts. The Yi’Akle movement calls on the world to pressure Abiy Ahmed’s regime and support the safe restoration of the status quo, ensuring the return of displaced Tigrayans to their homes and the full implementation of justice and accountability measures. Tigrayans deserve nothing less than the unconditional restoration of their land and the assurance of safety and dignity in their homeland.

Let us remind Abiy Ahmed and the world that enough is enough. Western Tigray and all occupied regions will not be forgotten, nor will the resilience of their people be silenced. Now is the time for all Tigrayans to stand united in confronting the oppressive tactics of Abiy Ahmed’s regime. With unwavering solidarity and strategic resolve, the Tigrayan people must demand justice, restoration, and the safe return of their displaced population to their ancestral homes. This collective effort is essential to resist the calculated attempts to weaken Tigray and ensure that its people’s voices echo powerfully across the globe.