By: Habte H.
There is an old folktale from the highlands that tells of a mother who gave birth to seven sons – and buried six before her hair turned gray. When asked why she still smiled, she replied, “Because I have one left to bury.” In the Horn of Africa, this is not a parable – it is a lived truth, passed from one generation to the next. A land so breathtaking, yet so burdened, where grief is not an exception but a daily ritual. If sorrow had a capital, it might lie somewhere in this region.
Here, bullets speak louder than ballots, and the wail of a mourning mother is more familiar than the laughter of peace. Once home to ancient civilizations and wisdom, the Horn of Africa now bears a legacy written in blood, betrayal, and broken promises. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers graduate not into jobs or service, but into warfare – trained to kill their own brothers. Is this land truly cursed, or simply misled again and again by leaders who choose power over people, and conquest over compassion?
A History Written in Blood
No region on Earth seems to have endured centuries of continuous warfare quite like the Horn of Africa. From ancient tribal battles to colonial conquests, from liberation struggles to today’s civil wars, the region has never truly known sustained peace. This cycle has persisted for millennia, as if war were stitched into the DNA of governance here.
The war between the TPLF and the PP government is one of the most horrifying examples in recent memory. In just two years, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands -perhaps millions – lost their lives, either in combat or as collateral victims of starvation, displacement, and disease. If accurate, this would make it one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II – and yet it was grossly underreported.
After the Pretoria Peace Agreement was signed in 2022, many dared to hope. But now, ominous signs are returning. Whispers of war drums, troop movements, and renewed hostilities are beginning to fill the air once more in Tigray – betraying the very peace that was so desperately needed.
Eritrea and Amhara: Still Bleeding
Eritrea, a country that has been soaked in blood for over a century, continues to suffer silently. What started as a war for independence became an entrapment in authoritarianism and regional entanglements. Today, Eritrea is still haunted by border disputes and now faces new threats – with Ethiopian political voices floating the dangerous idea of claiming access to the Red Sea by force. History, it seems, is preparing to repeat itself.
In Amhara, war has become daily reality for the past two years. The region, once stable, now burns due to reckless policies and repressive actions under Abiy and co. Many believe that the government’s strategy is to pacify the north – first Tigray, then Amhara – to eliminate any political resistance. But bloodshed cannot buy loyalty. The human cost of these policies is incalculable – and yet the silence from the international community is deafening.
An Economy Devoured by War
War in the Horn of Africa is not only destroying lives; it is also gutting the economy. Ethiopia’s economy now resembles a war economy, where massive military spending consumes resources meant for health, education, and development. In the past year alone, over a trillion birr – both directly and through budget diversion – has been funneled into sustaining conflict. Meanwhile, millions face hunger, and hospitals struggle to operate.
The government spends on tanks while children go without textbooks. Budgets are swallowed by bullets, not books. It is not just a crisis of governance – it is a moral failure.
What Is Wrong with the Horn of Africa?
This region is not cursed by geography, race, or religion. It is cursed by short-sighted, selfish leadership. From Addis Ababa to Asmara, from Mekelle to Bahir Dar, leaders have repeatedly chosen power over peace, and ego over empathy.
And yet, the people of this region – the ordinary citizens – are among the most resilient, most religious, and most disciplined in the world. They wake up each day with faith, even as fear lurks outside their doors. They farm, they pray, they raise children – only to bury them far too soon.
The tragedy is not just the wars themselves, but the normalization of violence. A region that once gave birth to ancient civilizations and religious traditions has become a graveyard of potential. Its rivers run not only with water but with tears.
A Cry for Peace – From the People
The Horn of Africa does not need another ceasefire that breaks in weeks. It needs a genuine peace, crafted not by power brokers behind closed doors, but by listening to the voices of the people – the mothers, farmers, teachers, and youth who are paying the highest price.
May Almighty God bring peace to this land, not through the ambitions of its corrupt elite, but through the will of its people. May we one day witness the graduation of young men and women not into war, but into a future worth fighting for -with ideas, not arms.
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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1). Crocodile Tears for Ethiopia: Ethiopia’s enemies are Egypt’s Proxy Dogs [EPLF/ELF (‘Eritrea’), TPLF (‘Tigray’), OLF/IFLO (‘Oromo’), Amara Fanno (Misnomer), etc.].
2). The Enemy Within: Eritrea’s EPLF [Thorn of the Horn] is Egypt’s Chief Proxy Dog of the Horn. Ethiopia-destabilizing Thugs are funded/trained/armed by Egypt via Eritrea.
3). The Brewing EPLF-TPLF War on Ethiopia: Egypt’s Favorite Dogs are not done co-bleeding Ethiopia. Ethiopia should BOLSTER its Defense Forces & Defense Industries!
4). Eritrea-101: Eritrea was part of Ethiopia till the First Italo-Ethiopian War. After the War, Eritrea remained under Italy. Circa 1952, Eritreans voted to reunite with Ethiopia.
5). 1991-1998: Derg’s demise in 1991 left a power vacuum that let Egypt’s Secessionist Proxy Dogs [EPLF & TPLF] invade/occupy/terrorize/loot Ethiopia together till 1998.
6). First Amara Genocide & EPLF/TPLF [1991-1992]: The First Amara Genocide was staged by the EPLF/TPLF, but carried out by the OLF-IFLO in some Oromo regions.
7). Ethiopia’s Access to Red Sea: The Affar Red Sea Coast [Massawa to Djibouti] is the homeland of Ethiopia’s Affars. In 1991/1993, Eritrea annexed it with TPLF’s collusion.
8). TPLF’s War on Ethiopia [2020]: TPLF said, “The TPLF launched a surprise attack on Ethiopia’s Northern Command.” They were massacred while asleep. Isn’t that savagery?
9). Second Amara Genocide [2020]: TPLF massacred >600 Amaras at MayKadra in a day and went on Amara-Killing Spree while fighting its way to Addis to retake power.
For a balanced understanding, readers should supplement this piece with historical analyses and conflict studies that address geopolitical complexities beyond the “cursed leadership” narrative. The author’s heart is in the right place, but critical engagement with facts remains essential.
Whoever that i_mognu is, and Ayele Woode’s comments are stupid. The article is self-explanatory and perfect with one shortcomings only. In the Horn of Africa, the will of the people is the reflection of their leaders opinions. This means, the people have no opinions of their own. The conflicts in the Horn of Africa are ethnic conflicts, and ethnic conflicts will only ends with the elimination of one of the ethnic group in the conflict. The Amhara people are the targeted group in Ethiopia.
” Bloodshed cannot buy loyalty”
I liked your article. Ethiopia needs a new constitution.