Former Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, General Samora Yunis, has given an interview regarding the current political and security situation in the Tigray region.
In an interview with the Tigrigna service of the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), the General stated that the activities currently being carried out by the TPLF and those "hiding behind the name of Meles Zenawi" must stop.
General Samora strongly opposed the move to dismantle the temporary administration in the Tigray region and establish a self-proclaimed "self-administration," declaring the action to be completely illegal and illegitimate.
Describing the decisions made by the group during their gathering in the city of Axum as the "formation of an illegitimate government," the general explained that there had been ongoing efforts to obstruct the temporary administrations led first by Getachew Reda and later by Lieutenant General Tadesse Woreda from performing their duties and leading the people to elections. He noted that these actions ultimately culminated in the forceful removal of those officials and the seizure of their official seals and operational equipment.
The general asserted that the primary objective of the region's politicians is power and that they seek this power to evade accountability. He praised the federal government for handling the situation with patience and through peaceful means.
General Samora pointed out that while the people of Tigray expressed great joy when the Pretoria Peace Agreement was signed, the politicians in the region instead turned their focus toward a struggle for power.
Explaining the current "forced recruitment of youth" (youth conscription) in the region, the General stated that the tactic is borrowed from the old struggle strategy of the Sha’ebia (EPLF/Eritrean People's Liberation Front) and that the Sha’ebia has not changed its strategy of destabilizing Ethiopia.
General Samora criticized the act of labeling the government as an "enemy" while still accepting budget allocations from the federal government. He stated that the regional leaders are using propaganda, claiming that the "government will attack us after the election," to facilitate the forced recruitment of youth, whereas the government has no desire to resolve the issue through war.
In his call to the people of Tigray and to parents, General Samora urged parents to organize and oppose the forced recruitment of youth, which is a major concern for them, and to fight back by declaring, "We will not give up our children."
He further emphasized that the people of Tigray should not be prevented from voting during this election period and that their right to be governed by leaders of their own choosing must be respected. He reminded the public that the ultimate guarantee for the people is the people themselves.
