The last four years (2018-2022) were monumental for Eritrea. Eritrea and Ethiopia reconciled. After terrorizing Eritrea for twenty years, Eritrea’s mortal enemy the Tigray Liberation Front (TPLF) is no more. Eritrea’s land which was illegally occupied by the TPLF clique for twenty years has been returned to its owners. Eritrea, which was under crippling United Nations Sanctions, orchestrated by the West, is removed. Many previously hidden treasonous voices who claimed to be Eritreans came to the surface and real Eritreans were made aware of their enemies. Below I like to discuss some of the treasonous activities that you would not believe an individual or a group that claims to be an Eritrean dare to do.

ENLISTING TIGREANS TO ATTACK PEACEFUL DIASPORA ERITREANS.

Regardless of its validity, Tigreans who support the TPLF have grievances against Eritreans. When the TPLF attacked the Ethiopian Federal Army stationed in Tigray and planned to take power in Addis Ababa and then invade Eritrea, the Eritrean Army took fast action and foiled the ill-fated plan. Tigrean TPLF followers make Eritreans responsible for failing their doomed plan and their generals openly vowed for revenge. What is surprising is that the so-called few Eritrean treasonous individuals enlist Tigrayans to attack peaceful elderly men, women, and children in the diaspora who were minding their own business. About 80% of the so-called terrorist Birgagde Nehamedu members who are terrorizing the Eritrean diaspora community are Tigreans born and raised in Eritrea, stole Eritrean identity and resettled in Europe and North America as Eritreans, and married to Eritreans. After TPLF signed a Pretoria surrender agreement, they are on a desperate revenge mission against anyone who claims to be an Eritrean. They simply transitioned from wearing red and yellow T-shirts, waiving TPLF’s red and yellow flag and Tigray wins campaign to wearing a blue T-shirt, waiving an old Eritrean blue flag and so-called Birgade N’Hamedu brand. They are desperate low IQ individuals who think they have the authority to decide whether diaspora Eritreans should gather, or what political ideology they should have. They do not believe that citizens who reside in the Western world have equal rights. What recently happened in Europe, North America, and Israel was a typical example of such total ignorance. If the local government permits any group to conduct a gathering, it is a lawful gathering. It does not matter what the ideology of the group is. Even Neo- Nazis conduct a peaceful gathering in the United States and if they do it peacefully no one dares to interfere with their political activities. Don’t you think there are millions of Americans and especially Jewish Americans who hate the Neo-Nazis? According to your low IQ reasoning, everyone who does not like the Neo-Nazis should attack them.  When you attack the police and a meeting venue it is a criminal activity, and you are punishable by law. As if they were the policymakers, they justify their attack by saying they asked the police to stop it and refused. Who are you to order the police to stop a lawful gathering? Who gave you that right? Aren’t you a refugee and in some cases with no status at all? This is a grandiose ignorance born out of deep hatred and an appetite for revenge. Due to the intentional or unintentional double standard witnessed in some Western countries, you may have gotten your way in some places, but it will not be long before Eritreans reorganize themselves to meet the challenge and the law catches up to make you accountable for your terrorist activities. It has already started in Tel Aviv (Israel), Giessen (Germany), and Calgary (Canada). Having said that the inconceivable betrayal by those treasonous groups will need to be properly addressed when the time is right, and the perpetrators need to be made accountable. The blood of innocent children, women, and elderly Eritreans should not be in vain.

RAISING FUNDS.

Although some betrayed their country in the past, Eritreans are known for their perseverance, love of country, unity, and high level of sacrifice. At no time in Eritrea’s history a group in the diaspora who claims to be Eritrean raised money for Eritrea’s historical enemies at all. Eritreans in the diaspora worked two to three jobs not only to support their family back home but also the Eritrean liberation struggle.  Unfortunately, in the last three years, millions of dollars have been raised and forwarded to Eritrea’s mortal enemy the TPLF. This happened when Eritrea was at war for its survival and the Eritrean gallant defense forces were spilling their blood to protect their country. What is even more disheartening is these groups donating the money to the TPLF in the name of Villages deep inside Eritrea that is inhabited by patriotic Eritreans who have an unwavering love for their country and its sovereignty. If there is any grand treason in the world, it cannot be greater than such crimes that have been committed against my beloved country, Eritrea. Imagine, an American raising money for the Taliban or Al Qaeda. What do you think the punishment the US court would pass on that individual? Anyone who claims to be an Eritrean and contributed money to the TPLF should also be held to the same standards.

POLITICAL ADVOCACY AND SPYING.

The same individuals who often organize themselves under multiple treasonous groups have written letters in support of the TPLF, accused Eritrea of Genocide, and rolled over on the streets of big cities in North America and Europe in support of the TPLF. They wished the Eritrean Army was defeated and even advocated for sanctions against Eritrea. Overall, they were in sync with the enemy and their so-called leaders nicknamed them a branch of the short-lived and defeated so-called Tigray Defense Force (TDF). What is even more surprising is for them to openly claim that they spied on the Eritrean army and passed the information to the TPLF. To be specific the owner of J Studio and half Tigrayan, Yosief Gebrehiwet, claimed that he passed information about the movement of the Eritrean Army to the TPLF. He is a lost guy who works for the TPLF during the daytime and sends pictures of his genitals to women during the evening. He is one of the leaders of the terrorist group Birgade Nihamedu. The point is this is something that came to the surface but what about other treasonous activities committed by those groups still hidden from the people of Eritrea?

PROPAGANDA AGAINST ERITREAN IDENTITY AND UNITY.

In a previously unheard propaganda pitch, the treasonous group worked with the TPLF in tandem to erase Eritrean Identity and replace it with Tigrean identity. It claimed the Eritrean struggle for independence was banditry and all the golden history of the liberation struggle that gave us a beautiful independent country should be erased. They openly said Eritreanism was their enemy and should be eliminated. To speed up their divide-and-rule propaganda they declared Islam was their enemy. They do not recognize Eritrea as a country with nine ethnic groups each having the same citizenship rights. They conduct meetings to award prizes to those who write and advocate against Eritrean nationalism and unity. They do everything they can to push anything Eritrean down. Its national flag, slogans, music, and even anyone who says I am Eritrean is their enemy. The hatred is infinite.

DRAFT DOGERS AND ARMY DESERTERS.

One of the complaints of the few Eritrean treasonous individuals is they could not visit their country and see their family. Even if many Eritrean army deserters and draft dodgers betrayed their colleagues and the country at the time Eritrea was fighting for its survival, the government showed leniency and allowed them to return to their country and see their families. Many have used the opportunity but some who were engaged in treasonous activities against the country ended up not benefiting from it. Compared to the experience of other countries that had draft dodgers and army deserters in the past, Eritrea’s policy is generous. When the United States Vietnam War draft dodgers fled to Canada, they were treated as criminals for 10 years until US President Jimmy Carter offered to pardon them in 1977. It was not a blanket pardon. It was case by case after being examined by the court. Fearing they might be accused of treason and end up in prison, even after the pardon, about half of those who had fled to Canada ended up not returning to the United States at all. Those who consider Eritrea’s policy regarding draft dodgers and army deserters as harsh, may not have read the policies and experiences of other countries. Countries have their uniqueness but when you move from one crime to the other you find it difficult to get back on the right track.

CONCLUSION.

Any individual or group who does not qualify to be an Eritrean cannot advocate for Eritrea. To be an Eritrean and oppose the Eritrean government first you need to accept that Eritrea is a diverse country of nine ethnic groups whose unity forms the nation of Eritrea. Next, you are obliged to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Third, you need to be free of any treasonous activity against the country.  Accordingly, someone who raises funds for the mortal enemy of Eritrea, advocates, and spies for the enemy, rejects Eritrean identity and openly declares him/herself as a Tigrean, and terrorizes the diaspora Eritrean community does not qualify to be called an Eritrean. You might be born in Eritrea but if you do not have allegiance to the country, your citizenship is void. This is true in any country in the world including the United States. Therefore, the difference between real Eritrean nationalists and the treasonous groups who claim to fight for Eritrea is significant and cannot be reconciled. Whether they transition from the Tigray Wins camp to the terrorist Birgade Nehamedu group or come up with another group it does not whitewash their crimes. In the end, every individual in the group will have to respond to his/her crimes against the Nation of Eritrea.

Awet N’haffash and Eternal Glory to Our Myrters.

There are two characteristics that describe the behavior of the defeated Tigrai Liberation Front (TPLF). First “its delusional belief that, regardless of the truth, it is possible to create a new reality on the ground” and second “its ignorance that people in Eritrea are dump and they will always believe what TPLF wants them to believe.” According to the outdated TPLF’s Dedebit cadre school philosophy, pure lies are alternative facts and if you repeat the lies constantly people will assume that they are true. The TPLF that deported more than 70,000 Eritreans because the color of their eyes was different, one day woke up from its deep sleep to find out that in fact the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea were related. To be specific, it believes the Tigrigna Speaking Eritreans are related to the Tigrigna Speaking Tigreans because they come from common ancestors called “Agaiazians”. Yes, from deep in its heart TPLF believes there are common threats to the TPLF-baptized “Agaiazians”. TPLF wants us to believe that the common threats are the Oromos, the Amharas, and of course the Moslems and it is important for the “Agaiazians” (Eritrean Highlanders and Tigray) to come together and fight their enemies. Here you are. What TPLF failed to understand is that Agaiazians” are also the ancestors of Eritrean Muslims, that it classifies as a threat to Tigray and Eritrean highlanders. The TPLF that instigated a border war and killed more than 19,000 Eritreans and continued to occupy sovereign Eritrean territories until recently pushed out by force, planned, executed a failed economic, political, and military siege against Eritrea, and worked with westerners to drain Eritrean youth, suddenly woke up from its deep sleep and found out that Eritreans were in fact related to Tigreans. For those who have gone through the worn-out “Tigrai-Tigrini” propaganda, TPLF’s new “Agaiazian” agenda is nothing but a laughingstock. However, for those who are new to the “Agaiazian” propaganda, investigating it a little further may not hurt at all. The propaganda has been pushed on four fronts: Ethiopian Information Network Security Agency (INSA), Simmerr Paltalk, Aiga forum, and the so-called “Agaiazianstv”.

INFORMATION NETWORK SECURITY AGENCY(INSA).

Many people may not know that the “Agaiazian” defunct agenda was incubated and managed under TPLF’s INSA. It was a project headed by the ex-head of INSA, General Teklebrhan Woldeargay. His deputy, Colonel Binyam Tewolde also headed another propaganda project against Eritrea called “Sactisim.” The TPLF believed that due to military pressure, sanctions, and economic hardships, drain of manpower, sooner or later, the Eritrean Government was going to collapse. Accordingly, TPLF was preparing the ground to vertically polarize Eritreans, annex the highlands of Eritrea, and establish a Greater Tigray. Regardless of its effectiveness, INSA decided to push it to unsuspecting Eritreans using the many outlets mentioned above. Below are the details.

SIMMERR PALTALK.

Money was heavily used to incentivize people who were willing to disseminate the “Agaiazian” defunct ideology. Some years ago, the TPLF-financed “Simmerr Paltalk” was in turmoil. The reason for that turmoil was that some unsuspecting members of the pal talk found out that $5000 was deposited to their bank accounts without their knowledge. When the news leaked, it was discovered that an INSA operative by the name Berhe Desta “Aka Pilot” was in fact the one who brought the money from INSA and incentivized those who performed well in the pal talk. To be clear good performance in “Simmerr Pal talk” was measured by the person’s effectiveness in attacking the people and government of Eritrea and the person’s openness to the “Agaiazian” defunct ideology. Based on that measurement of effectiveness, those who performed well were entitled to the $5000 INSA’s incentive and were paid accordingly. As the turmoil progressed some members, obviously those who did not receive the incentive, asked for every administrator in the Pal talk to disclose his/her identity. When the question was posed to the main TPLF stooge and Bereket Simon’s personal messenger who goes by the nickname “Amiche”, he started performing a circus in the already circus-filled Pal talk room. First, he said he would tell his identity only to some select administrators. When pushed further, he said he was from the Tigrina Ethnic group. Again, when probed further he argued that he did not have to name the country or village because the Tigrina of Eritrea were the same as the Tigrina of Tigrai. Here you have, Amiche was forced to expose the hidden “Agaiazian” agenda given to him by his bosses in INSA and Bereket Simon.

AIGA FORUM

After it was clear that TPLF was about to be totally rejected by the Oromos and Amharas, the “Agaiazian” propaganda started to get traction. On September 13, 2016, a writer by the pen name “Abadi Abay” provided a detailed analysis of the “Agaiazians” agenda. Unconfirmed reports describe the person behind the commentary as being Bereket Simon. The fact that Aiga forum was considered the mouthpiece of TPLF, the commentary was clear evidence that the “Agaiazian” agenda has been pushed by TPLF at the highest level. Some Eritreans were angry at the commentary and gave a rebuttal to it. Mr. Abadi Abay never responded. For those who are interested, you can read Mr. Abadi Abay’s analysis on the link below. When you read it, you will find out how TPLF crafted and tried to sell the“Agaiazians” agenda.

http://www.aigaforum.com/amharic-article-2016/one-step-forward-for-tigreans-and-eritreans.pdf

“AGAIAZIAN” TV.

Since the commentary was published at Aiga forum, it has been common to see different TPLF operatives and their proxies amplifying the “Agaiazian” agenda in different outlets. What is different about the YouTube based so called “Agaiazian” TV is that propaganda is embedded in religion. The TPLF undercover uses religion to make a point about the need for the “Agaiazian” nation and openly demonizes the Muslim citizens of Eritrea. This YouTube TV’s propaganda is directed at unsuspecting refugee youngsters in Europe who went through tough times and are clinging to religion.

MEETINGS IN MEKELLE,

After the TPLF was pushed out from power in Addis Ababa by the combined force of the Oromo and Amhara youth several “Agaiazian” focused meetings were held in Mekelle. TPLF Propagandists like Meressa Tsehaye started to appear on Tigray TV and were clearly indicating that Tigray’s future was to the North, which means Eritrea. Strange and ignorant individuals were also interviewed by Tigray TV and the Tigray Media House branch of Mekelle. Some of the meetings were led by none other than ex-INSA head, General Teklebrhan Weldeargay. When the TPLF instigated Nov 4^th, 2020, war of insurrection, was decisively crashed by the Ethiopian Federal Government, supported by Eritrea, General Weldeargay did not waste time blaming the Eritrean Muslims (Tibah Tibah) which was later amplified by Tigray Media House. This was a continuation of the “Agaiazian” propaganda line.

AFTER TPLF’s DEFEAT

When TPLF was defeated several INSA funded proponents of the defunct “Agaiazian” ideology started to emerge. This group is made up of Eritrea born and raised Tigreans, Tigreans who stole Eritrean identity and resettled to Europe and North America as Eritreans, Eritreans who are married to Tigreans, and a few Eritreans who had a grudge against the Eritrean government. Because they are out of the accepted cultural norms of the Eritrean society these individuals have an identity crisis. When TPLF started the war of insurrection on Nov. 4^th, 2020, they were pretty sure that it would bring regime change in Eritrea and they were lining up to take power in Asmara. That way they thought their identity crisis would be resolved. When they knew TPLF was defeated and signed the Pretoria surrender agreement, first they started lashing out at the TPLF for betraying the Tigray people. Then to quell the anger TPLF agents visited Europe and North America and held discussions on how to activate the defunct “Agaiazian” ideology. The re-direction was re-enforced by bringing previously hidden INSA funded individuals like Mr. Bokretsion from Germany and some refugees settled in Israel, Europe, and North America.  Long opponents of the Eritrean independence like Yosef Gebrehiwot (Felsi), Beyene Gerezgher (Bruh metsae) and another Yosef Gebrehiwet (J Studio) were made to lead it.  Out of the money provided by the TPLF they created a terrorist group called “Birgade Nehamedu”. By the way money raised in the diaspora does not go to Tigray or is not used to buy food for the needy people of Tigray. It is solely used for such Terrorist activities. It goes to destitute people, like Yohanes Abraha and his followers, who suffer from identity crisis. Remember, the ignorant Birgade Nehamedu leader, Yohannes Abraha’s father was a “Dergue shamble” who used to work in Housing Authority (Kiray Abayti) in Massawa, Dekemhare and Later in Asmara. He never had any normal upbringing and according to his words, growing up he was always searching for his identity. When someone investigates the background of those people it would not be difficult to find out that they are victims of identity crisis, and they are a perfect Target for TPLF to advance its terrorist activities.

LESSONS LEARNED.

When TPLF decided to deport Eritreans from Ethiopia in 1998, Tigreans not only were at the fore front in identifying and collecting Eritreans who used to live all over Ethiopia to deportation centers like some cattle, they were also the primary confiscators of the hard earned private property owned by the nearly 70,000 Eritreans deported by TPLF from Ethiopia. Again, that makes Tigreans willing or unwilling participators in the crime TPLF perpetrated against innocent Eritreans. Accordingly, there is no question that Eritreans know that the “Agaiazian” agenda is TPLF’s wicked strategy to polarize Eritreans vertically. TPLF tried to divide the people of Eritrea by creating armed groups for each Eritrean Ethnic group and failed miserably. Now under the heels of such colossal failure, TPLF is promoting the “Agaiazian” agenda. Fortunately, as the destructive activities of TPLF terrorist group and its surrogates continue, the support of Eritreans to their government increases. So, in some ways, it is a blessing in disguise. Eritrean Unity is shaped in the 30 years of struggle for independence and since then the common bond has been getting stronger.

Awet N’Hafash and Eternal Glory to Our Myrters.

It is true that the Tigray People are currently facing immense economic pressure and suffering from a lack of health services. Almost ten months after the signing of the Pretoria agreement security in Tigray is elusive. Dr. Mulugeta Gebrehiwot’s (Chaltu) article titled “Mekelle: A city under a lingering siege” hides these Tigray Liberation Front (TPLF) created internal problems and tends to blame the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments for maintaining the siege. Here are the real facts on the ground in Tigray.

Lack of Aid.

In line with the Tigray Liberation Front’s (TPLF) propaganda talking Points, Dr. Gebrehiwot tries to blame the Ethiopian and the Eritrean Governments for the discontinuation of aid to the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Can Dr. Gebrehiwot tell us what the 200,000-plus TPLF army has been eating for the last three years? Does TPLF grow or import food? Wasn’t TPLF that stole the food aid to feed its standing army and new recruits? In fact, the TPLF used food aid not only to feed its army and its recruits but also to control the Tigray people. After the war broke out in November 2020, it is public information that food aid was used as a precondition for conscription to the TPLF army. Families who refused to send their kids to the war were denied aid. Those who were lucky enough to receive food aid were asked to return part of what they received to the TPLF. On the contrary Tigray’s neighbor to the North, Eritrea, whom Dr. Gebrehiwot blames for stealing food aid from Tigray, rejected food aid thirty years ago and was able to secure a preliminary self-sustaining agricultural system. Accordingly, Dr. Gebrehiwot’s article is a propaganda piece to free the TPLF from its crime of endangering the Tigray people.

Lack of Security

Law and order are the fundamental pillars of any civilized society. When there is no respect for the law fairness disappears and only those who assume the helm of power are the winners. Currently not only daylight robbery of civilians but also theft of critical instruments of health institutions in Tigray is a major problem. Recently critical eye diagnostic equipment was stolen from the hospital in Quiha (near Mekelle) and patients were left with no treatment. The equipment was the only one in the whole Tigray region with a population of 6 million people. In fact, this is the fourth time a theft has occurred in the hospital in the last ten months. This happened when TPLF leaders like Dr. Gebrehiwot were in Mekelle. If a hospital can be robbed, you can imagine the magnitude of theft in Tigray. Dr. Gebrehiwot tries to paint Mekelle as a city where people sit and drink beers. The truth is Mekelle is a city where its residents rush home before 6 p.m. to escape robbery. That is an unofficial curfew set by the robbers who roam the city in the guise of darkness. The number of civilians hanged to death, attacked by sharp objects, and killed are countless. This is not a problem for Dr. Gebrehiwot who is protected by more than five guards.

Rape.

Ten months after the signing of the Pretoria agreement, Dr. Gebrehiwot’s article tried to blame the Ethiopian and the Eritrean forces for the rape that happened in Tigray. However, many Tigrayan Scholars have indicated that Tigray has a big problem when it comes to the treatment of its women and girls. Rape in Tigray is common. Dr. Gebrehiwot does not talk about the over 1000 Tigray combatants who were raped and impregnated by their comrades and are currently housed in the Meles campus in Mekelle. Government officials, even the police, in Tigray use rape as part of their corrupt governance system. A police officer who raped 50 women in Tigray and was only reassigned to another region is a clear indicator of rape tolerance in Tigray. A Tigrayan renowned scholar Dr. Hargeweini Assefa, who was working in Tigray before the start of the war on November 4th, 2020, claimed that she received a report that indicated close to 300 children were raped by family members in one region of Tigray. Around the same time concerned Tigrayan women and girls conducted a coordinated demonstration in the regional capital city of Mekelle against the ill-treatment of women and girls in Tigray. Since the war started in November 2020, TPLF’s propaganda machine, Including Dr. Gebrehiwot’s article, has been widely invested in broadcasting the alleged rape of Tigray women by Ethiopian soldiers and their allies. What is unique in Tigray is any rape of women and girls that may have happened during the war is only one part of the big puzzle. The problem is bigger than that. That is why even after the Ethiopian army and its allied forces left Tigray, rape persisted unabated. Dr. Gebrehiwot does not want to talk about this because it is not in the TPLF’s Propaganda talking point.
CONCLUSION
Tigray is not out of the woods and still facing immense problems. But the causes are not the ones Dr. Gebrehiwot mentioned in his article. The sad part of the story is that the Tigray people are not even entitled to the food aid the international community donates to them. When they leave in the morning they do not even know if they are going to return home safely. The TPLF leaders, including Dr. Gebrehiwot, need to stop the politics of victimization and face the truth. Blaming others might serve as a good propaganda message but will not bring the Tigray people out of hunger, robbery, and rape by none other than their leaders and combatants. In the current trying time, only courageous and strategic leadership is needed in Tigray. If not, Tigray, which is able to import tons of beer from Addis Ababa with no problems, and its leaders who visit their families and shop for closes in Europe and North America will continue to linger in the siege mentality.
Awet N’Hafash and Eternal Glory to our Myrters.

Why do authentic justice seekers choose to participate in ‘HGDF’ festivals? The answer to this question unfolds through a straightforward yet impactful formula. Let’s break it down.

TPLF-Free Environment: These festivals provide a TPLF-free atmosphere, allowing justice seekers to focus solely on their Eritrean-centered agenda. By eliminating distractions, attendees can effectively advocate for change within their community.

Eritrean Unity: HGDF festivals naturally draw Eritreans together, creating a space for dialogue, connection, and collaboration. This unity becomes a catalyst for driving meaningful change.

Influence on HGDF: Participation in these festivals is also a strategic choice. Engaging directly with HGDF demonstrates a commitment to influencing positive transformations within the organization itself.

Absence of ‘Opposition’ Festivals: The absence of ‘opposition’ festivals further reinforces the significance of HGDF gatherings as a platform for genuine change seekers.

Embracing this formula is pivotal for Eritrean justice seekers. Effecting change requires active engagement, not avoidance. Just as Black Americans championed civil rights by confronting challenges head-on, real change advocates must immerse themselves in the heart of their cause, even in spaces where their ideas might face resistance.

Fortunately, a significant portion of attendees at HGDF festivals share the consensus that change, and reform are imperative. They welcome the presence of fellow Eritreans, including justice seekers, within these gatherings. While some may hold a more extended timeline for change or offer justifications for certain aspects of PFDJ misrule, it remains rare to find staunch support for PFDJ policies among them. Acknowledging this political landscape underscores the potential for meaningful change to take root primarily within settings where large congregations of Eritreans convene—namely, festivals.

The significance of maintaining a TPLF-free environment becomes evident. The TPLF and its supporters harbor agendas that extend beyond Eritrea’s interests, often viewing matters through the lens of Tigray, Ethiopia, and beyond. However, the average Eritrean’s focal point doesn’t encompass Ethiopia or Tigray. Convincing a majority of Eritreans to adopt a multi-regional strategy stands as a challenging endeavor, one that time has shown to be impractical. Any connection to Ethiopian or Tigray affiliations muddles the Eritrean narrative and yields minimal returns. In fact, such affiliations serve as distractions that inadvertently empower the PFDJ. By participating in TPLF-free environments, justice seekers neutralize the PFDJ’s manipulation, allowing them to directly engage with the populace without obfuscation.

Final point, why do opposition festivals struggle to match the scale of PFDJ gatherings? The answer is straightforward: the opposition lacks the essential traits of organization, unity, and commitment. This presents a vast untapped potential for opposition festivals to establish an alternative sphere. A consistent and well-structured approach has the potential to draw in youth, professionals, and like-minded individuals. Curiously, over the past two decades, opposition festivals have been notably scarce. During this time, the opposition camp has grappled with challenges, including infiltration by TPLF-affiliated elements, divisive and trivial strategy disputes, and an escalating atmosphere of mutual distrust.

In sharp contrast, HGDF festivals have exhibited remarkable consistency in holding their events despite internal disparities. While PFDJ gatherings attract individuals who have endured the adverse impact of PFDJ policies, attending such events does not shield participants from the experiences shared by most ordinary Eritreans.

Definitely, PFDJ events are far from flawless. They offer meager provisions, often limited to music, alcohol, and occasional food offerings. Opportunities for children and youth engagement remain minimal, and services aimed at community improvement are absent. It’s a case of offering the bare minimum. Yet, in a landscape where the competition is absent, dominance within the field is an inevitable outcome.

Why are certain factions of the opposition targeting PFDJ festivals? Desperation. These same opposition figures and parties, entangled in decades of internal division and strife, now find themselves grappling with irrelevance. Their history of adopting dictatorial tendencies has fractured the unity within the opposition camp. Their intention had been to sow discord within the PFDJ ranks, enticing a section of PFDJ supporters or even rallying the Silent Majority to their side. Yet, the outcome defied their expectations. Instead of embracing setbacks as opportunities for strategic recalibration, they have chosen a path of violence, marking a political disaster.

While confronting a PFDJ figure within Eritrea may garner some sympathy and support, targeting ordinary Eritrean individuals attending festivals offers little value. There is no substantiated proof of wrongdoing on their part. Regrettably, these actions provide PFDJ with ammunition to portray them as disruptors and troublemakers, inadvertently playing into PFDJ’s narrative of upholding law and order. Unsurprisingly, their alliance with TPLF affiliates serves as a desperate attempt to fragment Eritrean society—a last-ditch effort fueled by hopelessness, mirroring the dire predicament of the TPLF.

True change, inevitably, emanates from within a nation. Sooner or later, that transformation will arise from within Eritrea. At that juncture, those committed to justice will find themselves reengaging with fellow Eritreans (not aligned with the PFDJ), empowered to advocate for democratization. For those “justice seekers” who resort to attacking festivals and forging alliances with antagonistic foreign elements, it is paramount to recognize that it’s never too late to regain relevance. Organizing alternative festivals that surpass PFDJ’s offerings can pave the way forward, attracting attendees through superior content and experiences. Fostering an environment of choice empowers individuals to align with the festival that resonates most with their aspirations.

In his recent interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Tigrigna Program, the former President of the Tigray Regional Government of Ethiopia and current de facto leader of the Tigray Liberation Front (TPLF), warned Eritrea to withdraw its army from sovereign Eritrean territories, such as Badme and parts of Irob, which were awarded to Eritrea by the Eritrea and Ethiopia Boundary commission. During the interview, he clearly stated that his party would work to expel the Eritrean forces from the mentioned Sovereign Eritrean Territories.

When the TPLF attacked the Ethiopian Northern Command and started hurling missiles at the world heritage site and capital city of Eritrea, Asmara, Eritrea took military action against the TPLF. During that time, Eritrea explained its action to the international community, stating that it had incriminating evidence showing that, after attacking the Northern command, TPLF aimed to take power in Addis Ababa and then launch an attack on Eritrea. Eritrea’s action against TPLF was an act of self-defense. Debretison’s recent warning to Eritrea to withdraw its army from sovereign Eritrean territories, or else, clearly indicates his party’s intention to continue waging war against Eritrea. Such a warning not only validates Eritrea’s claim of self-defense but also forms the basis for any future military actions Eritrea might take to diminish TPLF’s capability of waging war against Eritrea.

Going back to history, after the 1998-2000 border war, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a binding arbitration agreement on December 12, 2000, to resolve the border dispute in the court of law once and for all. “The Boundary Commission was mandated to delimit and demarcate the colonial treaty border based on pertinent colonial treaties (1900, 1902, and 1908) and applicable international law.” After deliberating for about two years, it “set out its description of the boundary as so determined in a unanimous decision dated April 13, 2002.” Despite the clear GPS-based boundary coordinates provided by the boundary commission, TPLF not only continued to occupy Eritrean sovereign territories that were awarded to Eritrea but also used them as a stepping ground to attack deep inside Eritrea.

After the TPLF was expelled from its power in the Federal Government that it held for 27 brutal years by a popular uprising and fled to the capital city of the Tigray regional government, Mekelle, the new Ethiopian leader, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, traveled to Eritrea on July 8, 2018. During his colorful landmark visit to Eritrea, he conducted a bilateral summit with his counterpart, President Isaias Afeworki of Eritrea, aimed at repairing relations between the two countries. During the visit, Prime Minister Abiy announced that Ethiopia accepted the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary decision without preconditions and promised to take concrete steps towards demarcation. Following up on his promise, on January 1, 2019, he initiated a withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from the border town of Zalambessa. However, the TPLF sent women and children to block the army from withdrawing. A similar attempt to withdraw the Ethiopian Army from Badme was also blocked by the TPLF. TPLF’s action was described by an Ethiopian Army General as “an attempt to sling mud at the peaceful relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea.”

On November 4, 2020, the TPLF militia and Tigrayans, who accounted for about 25% of the Ethiopian Federal Army, attacked the Northern command that was stationed in Tigray for two decades. The attack ignited a two-year bloody war between the TPLF and the Federal government, supported by the Eritrean Army. On November 3, 2022, the TPLF was defeated by the Allied forces and signed an agreement to surrender its arms and demobilize its army. The Eritrean Army withdrew from Tigray to the boundary set by the Ethiopia and Eritrea boundary commission dated December 13, 2002.

Conclusion

The historical facts described above indicate that TPLF never intended to vacate Eritrean sovereign territories and hand them over to Eritrea. It obstructed the Ethiopian and Eritrean border commission’s effort to put pillars on the ground. In a flagrant violation of international law, it occupied sovereign Eritrean territories for twenty years. Using Ethiopian federal government resources and political clout, TPLF worked hard to alienate Eritrea and deplete its human resources. It hindered Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s initiative to repair the relationship with Eritrea. Therefore, Debretsion’s warning to Eritrea to withdraw its Army from sovereign Eritrean territories should not come as a surprise. It is a continuation of its past antagonistic policies against Eritrea and its intention to turn the region into a battleground for years to come. Accordingly, Debretsion’s threat justifies Eritrea’s past and future actions against the TPLF. Eritrea has the right to take preemptive actions on the TPLF to neutralize any threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Awet Ne Hafash and Eternal Glory to Our Martyrs.