By Elias Kifle
In 1976, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (Woyanne) that is currently ruling Ethiopia crafted its Greater Tigray Manifesto. The manifesto called for transforming the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray in to an independent country through expansionist policies. For Greater Tigray to become a reality, Meles Zenawi and his Woyanne comrades decided that they have to take control of the central government in Ethiopia and systematically dismantle the country. They also appropriated lands from neighboring regions of Gonder and Wollo (see the maps below).
As the map below shows, the Woyanne junta claimed 20 percent of Gonder’s territory and a large area of northern Wollo.
Wollo lost almost half of its land, as the map below shows:
The Greater Tigray agenda suffered a setback when Woyanne went to war with Eritrea in 1998. Woyanne had to scramble and get Ethiopians to support the war by trying to falsely present itself as an Ethiopian nationalist group.
The Woyanne’s war with Eritrea caused split inside the organization’s top leadership, and Meles purged about half of the central committee members, putting the final nail on the coffin of Greater Tigray manifesto.
Currently, TPLF under Meles Zenawi’s leadership is not a cause- or ideology-driven organization any more. It is a business mafia that happens to wield political and military power.
As it turns out, Greater Tigray manifesto is having the unintended consequence of diminishing Tigrean nationalism:
1. A growing number of Tigreans do not want to be associated with TPLF or Tigrean nationalism any more.
2. Other than Mekele, the capital city of Tigray, most parts of the region, including Meles Zenawi’s hometown, Adwa, are still dirt poor and have yet to receive the dividends for TPLF’s political power, despite the enormous wealth the Meles crime family has amassed.
3. Currently, there are over 100,000 non-Tigrean troops in Tigray (a region with a population of 6 million). As a result, about 1 in every 10 child currently born in Tigray doesn’t have a Tigrean father. Tigreans are also migrating toward south in massive numbers.
4. Woyanne’s investment over the past 20 years has not produced tangible results, other than a few shiny high rise buildings in Mekele. The reason is that the investment was politically-driven, hence poorly studied and planned. The end result of a government-controlled investment or command economy is always a colossal failure. The Soviet Union comes to mind.
In recent days, we are witnessing an encouraging development. The Tigrean elite, the last refuge of Tigrean nationalism, is coming around to finally disowning the Meles dictatorship, although not as fast as we would like it to happen.
A lesson that can be learned from the failure of Greater Tigray Manifesto is that it is in the best interest of all Ethiopian ethnic groups to submit their parochial interest to Ethiopian nationalism. Tigray, Oromo, Amhara, and all the other ethnic groups can flourish under a strong and united Ethiopia.
It is time for all Tigreans to wake up and join other Ethiopians in the fight to remove the Meles vampire regime.
154 thoughts on “The death of Greater Tigray manifesto (updated with maps)”
Sorry ER, I did want to lose it because I’m trying to have peace in my country without any kind of political parties or ethnic agenda, such as those Oromos and tigres. Amharas do not want any political office, they just want to live their daily lives. But all other ethnics want always to create problems for us. Quiet frankly, we the Amhara people are tired of it.
To Waseraw, Ayygud, and Matt
Deki Adwa (Ye Adwa Lijoch), I suggest you go and bluber at your strong hold Ye werobeloch site– “Aiga Forum” or “Banda Forum” known widely by Tigrians as “Gega forum” translated loosly in English as, “misguided forum” we are Ethiopians and highly alergic to bandas like you. We refuse to be pushed out of genuine discusions presented by concerned Ethiopians. I for one will never be discourage from discussing critical issues that concerns my beloved Ethiopia with fellow Ethiopians. Please don’t pretend you are geniune Ethiopians, b/c you are not, and when the time comes, you will be packed and deported to Awraja Hamasien (Zoba Debub) in Eritrea and assimilate with your bretherns there and then only then will we, the true sons of Emperor Yohaness, Ras Alula, Dej. Bezabeh Negusse and Fitawrari Yebeyo (Wedi Woldai) that Tigray is at peace with her self and can proudly claim its rightful place. But until then, if you have no substance to offer which I think you don’t in this forum, just shut up and read, perhaps you can learn something from the highly informative discussion presneted on this forum by geniune Ethiopians.
#152, Honorable Dejazmach,
During world war 2, there was a Dejazmach by the name of Dejazmach Tesfay Tella of Adwa. I wanted to know if he was the governor of Welkait and telelow. Who appointed him. Please tell me who he really was.
Where are dejazmach, shemelis, yigermal, and walkaitewo go. It looks like this Tegediche has won the substances of the arguements. See you guys in Ethiopia when she is free from dictatorial rule soon.