Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars’ Association Statement

Borkena

Toronto – Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars’ Association (WTTASA)  has sent us a statement in response to Global Society of Tigray Scholars and  Professionals (GSTS).

The Association has condemned GSTS’s statement. “Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars Association strongly condemns the  GSTS’s characterization of these areas as ‘‘occupied Tigray Territories’’ as such  claims are misleading and inconsistent with the Pretoria Permanent Peace Agreement  and FDRE constitution,” WTTASA said.

The full statement reads as follows :

“Statement Release  

Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars’ Association  

Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars’ Association (WTTASA) has carefully reviewed the official statement issued by Global Society of Tigray Scholars and  Professionals (GSTS) issued on February 18, 2025 G.C. This statement referenced  remarks made by H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, AU high representative for the  horn of Africa, during the recent AU session on the ‘Lessons Learned Report from  AU led Peace Process for the Tigray region of Ethiopia’.  

During his session, H.E Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized that Welqait Tegede,  Tellemt and Raya ‘‘Contested Areas (indirectly referring to welqait Tegede, Tellemt  and Raya) must remain neutral until the issue is solved’’. Despite this, GSTS’s  statement attempted to portray these areas as part of Tigray region. A claim that  directly contradicts to The Pretoria Agreement for Lasting Peace Through a  Permanent Cessation of Hostilities (COHA) between TPLF and FDRE notably,  Article 10/4 which explicitly states that ‘‘The Parties commit to resolving issues of  Contested Areas in accordance with the constitution of FDRE’’.  

Furthermore, any statement that disregards the true nature of Pretoria Agreement  and the FDRE constitution jeopardize the ongoing peace process and is  unacceptable to WTTASA. 

Condemnation of GSTS’s Statement  

Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars Association strongly condemns the  GSTS’s characterization of these areas as ‘‘occupied Tigray Territories’’ as such  claims are misleading and inconsistent with the Pretoria Permanent Peace Agreement  and FDRE constitution. Historical records clearly show that Welqait Tegede  Tellemt and Raya were unlawfully and forcefully annexed to Tigray region in 1991  before the adoption and enforcement of the FDRE constitution in 1995.  As it is well documented and known by both TPLF and FDRE the People of  Welqait Tegede Tellemt has submitted an Amhara Identity Quest Petition signed by  greater than 25,000 individuals to Tigray regional administration and Federal  government in December 2015 G.C. However, rather than addressing these  demands through legal and constitutional means, TPLF response was Kidnappings,  Mass detentions and the killing of representatives advocating for their People’s  identity rights. (Refer to the United States House of Representatives Committee on  Foreign Affairs: (https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA16/20170309/105673/HHRG-115- FA16-Wstate-TirfeT-20170309.pdf).

Additionally, the Tigray regional council deliberately obstructed the effort of the  Federal government by totally rejecting the work of the Commission for Identity  and Administrative boundaries of Ethiopia to resolve the issues of Welqait Tegede  Tellemt and Raya. The TPLF also hampered legal procedures and the due process  of law by appointing its Executive committee member as a speaker for the House  of Federation.  

November 4, 2020 TPLF launched a military attack on the Northern Division of  Ethiopian National Defense Force, triggering a full-scale war aimed at  regaining power in Ethiopia. Following the law enforcement action by FDRE  against TPLF’s aggression, The People of Welqait Tegede, Tellemt and Raya  declared its freedom from TPLF’s Apartheid like regime. By now the people  continue to exercise self-administration and freedom, in spite of numerous  challenges; like the threat of reinvasion by TPLF and war mongering by TPLF  combatants. This self-administration of the people by the people is not only  constitutional but also helpful for maintaining regional stability and sustainable 

peace in the Horn of Africa. 

Call to Action  

All in all, Weqlait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars Association strongly condemns  the statement issued by GSTS regarding Welqait Tegede Telllemt and Raya and  calls for the following actions; 

1. WTTASA urges GSTS to reevaluate all its politically motivated and biased  statements it has issued. 

2. WTTASA demands that GSTS to retract its false claim regarding the  indigenous Welqait Tegede and Tellemt Amhara community, as such claim could potentially jeopardize their right to self-determination and freedom of  the people.  

3. WTTASA calls on GSTS to refrain from engaging in political agendas and  sensationalized narratives. Instead, it should adhere to its stated purpose  as non-profit, non- religious and non-political organization in Ethiopia.  

Conclusion  

The Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars’ Association remains committed to  advocating for historical truth, constitutional integrity, and the rights of the  indigenous Amhara community. Any attempts to distort historical facts and  undermine the people’s right to self-determination will be firmly opposed.

Let’s share the proverb of Albert Einstein, ‘‘Peace cannot be kept by force It can  only be achieved by Understanding!’’ 

Welqait Tegede Tellemt Amhara Scholars Association  

(WTTASA) “

19^th February 2025 
Humera, Amhara; Ethiopia”

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