Introduction
Change is both an unavoidable and essential part of political evolution. History is filled with movements that rose, transformed, or faded away as circumstances evolved. Those that survived were often the ones that adapted. In Ethiopia’s complex and rapidly shifting political landscape, The Tigray people Liberation Front (TPLF) presents a striking example of an organization struggling to adapt to a “new normal.” Despite decades of influence and power, many of its cadres including high ranking military officials remain ideologically tethered to the past, resisting political and social realities unfolding across Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and beyond.
A Legacy Entrenched in the Past
The TPLF’s historical roots trace back to the 1970s, a time of revolutionary fervor, Marxist-Leninist Ideology. and armed liberation movements. Formed in response to marginalization and the autocratic rule of Emperor Haile Selassie and later the Derg military regime, the TPLF led a successful guerrilla campaign that culminated in the overthrow of the Deg in 1991. As a key member of The Ethiopian people Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the TPLF helped shape Ethiopia’s federal system.
Yet, the TPLF’s leadership remains fixated on this legacy. Their political philosophy, governance approach, and military tactics are deeply influenced by Cold War-era revolutionary doctrines that are increasingly ill-suited for modern political realities. As the rest of Ethiopia and the broader global community moves toward decentralized, inclusive governance models, the TPLF continues to apply frameworks developed during the armed struggles of the 20th century.
Resistance to Reform and Reality
The core of the TPLF’s struggle lies in its inability or unwillingness to transition from a wartime command structure to a peacetime democratic framework. Even after its decline in national power following the 2017 rise of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (PhD) and subsequent dissolution of EPRDF, the TPLF leadership has shown little willingness to critically reassess its political strategy or its role in Ethiopia’s future. This resistance to reform, often cloaked in the rhetoric of self determination and resistance to oppression masks a deeper ideological paralysis.
A significant part of this resistance is also culture and psychological. Many TPLF cadres, especially senior military officials, can=me of age during the liberation struggle. Their identities and worldview were forged in an era where political legitimacy was derived from armed struggle, not democratic process. This mindset was further transmitted to the youth of Tigray, fostering a dangerous notion that political challenges are best resolved through military means rather than dialogue and institutional reform.
The danger of Perpetuating Old Lesson
The consequences of this ideology rigidity are profound. The notion that power must be seized or maintained through force undermines efforts for peace, reconciliation, and inclusive governance in Tigray. The Tigrayan youth, having witnessed the valorization of armed resistance, may internalize the belief that war is the primary means of political expression. This creates a cycle of violence that perpetuates instability, damages social cohesion, and hinders economic recovery in the region.
Political and economic realities in Tigray and Ethiopia at large have shifted significantly. The TPLF’s continued militarized posture ignores the urgent need for reconstruction, reconciliation, and regional integration. Post-war Tigray faces several humanitarian challenges, internal displacement, and the collapse of public services. These issues require practical governance and cooperation not ideological entrenchment or militarism.
Accepting the New Normal
The global, African, and regional political landscapes have evolved. Diplomacy, economic integration, and participatory governance are now the dominant norms. Ethiopia’s federal structure, though imperfect, offers a platform for regional autonomy without resorting to armed rebellion. To remain relevant, the TPLF must abandon its old paradigms and engage with the evolving political discourse. This requires embracing political pluralism, democratic participation, and a renewed commitment to peaceful development.
In its current state, the TPLF risks becoming politically obsolete, a relic of a bygone era. Until it reckons with its past and embraces meaningful reform, it will remain mired in a cycle of denial, alienation, and decline.
Conclusion
The TPLF’s future depends on its ability to accept the “new normal.” This includes recognizing that armed struggle is no longer a viable or acceptable means of political engagement. It means allowing new voice and ideas to emerge within Tigray. Change is difficult but without it, irrelevance is inevitable. The time has come for TPLF leaders, cadres, and supporters to move forward, not backward.
References:
- Young, John. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF): A Political History. Journal of Modern African Studies, 2007.
- International Crisis Group. Ethiopia’s Tigray War: A Deadly, Dangerous Stalemate. Report No. 297, 2021.
- De Waal, Alex. The Politics of the Horn of Africa: Conflict and the Legacy of the Liberation Era. Hurst, 2015.
- Tadesse, Medhane. Altering Course: The TPLF’s Ideological Dilemma in Post-War Ethiopia. Horn of Africa Bulletin, 2022.
- Human Rights Watch. Ethiopia: Conflict in Tigray. Multiple reports, 2020–2023.
Editor’s Note: Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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Two glaring mistakes of the writer are
1.trying to depict TPLF’s formation as a result of marginalization is a gross lie . The EPLF driven student movement helped overthrow the king with the slogan “ land to the a farmers and democracy “ but the real aim behind as we are able to see now was the disintegration of Ethiopia. Remember they started armed struggle as soon as the king was overthrown, before giving the military a chance.
2.What is the new norm? What really is new in Ethiopia. One ethic group lost dominant and the other took over. Still you get position or wealth not by your hard work or competence but by your ethnicity!!
The real problem with TPLF leaders they can’t accept a united Ethiopia