Opinion: The upcoming TPLF’s general assembly is nothing short of another episode in the TPLF’s ongoing internal strife and power struggles.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is gearing up for its upcoming general assembly, a gathering that, in theory, should be a democratic forum for robust policy debate and strategic direction for the party to realign itself with the needs of the people of Tigray and the shifting political dynamics.
However, given the party’s recent records this assembly will be nothing but another battleground for politicians seeking to secure their dominance using their wider network.
Past meetings of the party that took months long has been dominated by power mongering rather than substantive policy discussions. This assembly promises to be no different.
Despite lofty rhetoric about “Saving TPLF and preparing it for the next assignment” the upcoming general assembly is merely a façade for an ongoing internal power struggle.
Many Tigrayans share the view that the assembly will follow the same script as the previous meetings of the party.
The politicians will dress up their personal ambitions as efforts to strengthen the party, but this is a thinly veiled disguise. Their primary focus is not on the future of the TPLF or the well-being of the people of Tigray but merely clinging to power at any cost and solidifying their own power bases.
In a meeting with community representatives from Southern Tigray four months ago, Getachew Reda President of the Interim administration and deputy President of the TPLF admitted that past meeting that took over 60 days have been mainly characterized by a focus on personal power mongering rather than the dire needs of the people.
Many who have been following the political dynamics within the TPLF say the internal political dynamics of the party have long been characterized by a network of supporters that politicians leverage to maintain their positions.
According to the commentators this web of influence has often resulted in a cycle of favoritism and exclusion, further deepening the party’s internal problem which has a direct impact upon the wellbeing of the people of Tigray.
The upcoming assembly will showcase these dynamics once again, with politicians maneuvering to consolidate their power rather than seeking genuine solutions to the challenges the people face.
For the TPLF to truly serve the people of Tigray, it must transcend its entrenched political decay and prioritize the people’s dire needs.
The people of Tigray face significant challenges, from restoration of their constitutional status, reconstruction, rehabilitation, to addressing humanitarian needs, creating job opportunities for the youth that is fleeing Tigray in thousands each day, fostering economic recovery and more.
These issues needs dedicated, pragmatic and selfless leadership not the perpetual power games that have characterized the TPLF’s recent leadership.
If the upcoming general assembly is to have any meaningful impact, it must break from the past and set a new course for institutional reform focused on the genuine needs and aspirations of the Tigrayan people.
Without such a shift, the assembly will be yet another missed opportunity for real change and it could get the people of Tigray into another cycle of chaos.