Tigrayans Rally In DC, Urge US to Enforce Pretoria Accord
The #Tigray|an diaspora rallied outside @StateDept, urging the US to take action and pressure the #Ethiopian gov't to fully implement the Pretoria peace deal and ensure the safe return of IDPs ahead of the rainy season.
The excruciating pain of hearing #GeduAndargachew—once the most loyal enabler of #AbiyAhmed—now shamelessly pointing fingers as if only Abiy was anti-Tigray is indescribable. Has he forgotten, or does he think we have? Gedu was not a bystander—he was a lead architect of the genocidal war against #Tigray. He led the assaults, justified the atrocities, and stood as one of the top two figures who inflicted unspeakable suffering on our people. Yes, his insider revelations are important—but let’s not let that blur the truth. We remember exactly what he said, what he did, and where he stood while Tigray bled. Historical amnesia is not an option.
https://t.co/kpf1JNRZXO
Tigrayan IDPs are protesting for a third day in a row, spending the night outside of their tents and in the streets. Three years after the Pretoria Agreement that entails to return IDPs to their homes, the Oromia PP continues to sow hate #ReturnTigrayanIDPs
Today is World Refugee Day - and right now, protests are actively unfolding across Tigray for the third day in a row.
Tens of thousands are in the streets demanding the right to return home - representing more than one million Tigrayans who were ethnically cleansed from Western Tigray and Irob and remain displaced.
#WorldRefugeeDay #TigrayGenocide
I’ve always found introducing myself to new people a bit tricky, especially when I intentionally dodge the question of where I’m from. It’s like, the second I meet someone, they hit me with, "So, where are you originally from?" Broh 😫 that question, it’s a mixed bag. Sometimes it feels like heaven, when I have the time and space to explain my story. Other times, huh, man—it’s pure hell, especially when it’s not a good time to dive into the details.
See, I’m from Tigray, and that simple answer often sparks a follow-up: "Where’s Tigray?" I used to get a kick out of flipping it back on them, like, "What, you don’t know Tigray?" Then I’d quickly add, "It’s in Africa," before they could respond.😊 Some people would whip out their phones and Google it right in front of me, and bam 🙉—Tigray pops up as part of Ethiopia. That’s when I’d shake my head and say, "Nope, not anymore." I’d tell them it used to be of Ethiopia, but not now.
When I had the chance, I’d go deeper. I’d explain why I refuse to call myself Ethiopian anymore. Sometimes, I’d pull out my phone and show them videos—graphic ones, with a warning, of course—and ask, "Would you claim to be part of a country that did this to your people?" The Tigray War, the siege, the atrocities committed by Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Amhara forces—it’s personal. My family’s whereabouts were unknown during that time. The pain was raw. If the people who killed us no longer see us as part of their nation, why should I claim it?
Reactions varied. Some folks brushed it off, like, "Oh, it’s Africa, that stuff happens," which honestly made my stomach churn. Others got it—they really listened and understood the weight of what I was saying.
I remember this one time at a cultural exchange event. People were sharing what makes their country unique, and a classmate from Africa proudly declared, "Ethiopia, the only uncolonized country in Africa!" All eyes turned to me, and I could feel my chest tighten. I wasn’t about to let that slide. "Yeah, yeah," I said, "We defeated the Italians Gurae Gundet, and finally at Adwa, Tigray, near Axum, y’know, by the way the Ark of the Covenant is in Axum, Tigray." I’m not sure if I added the Da'amat thing too 🤣. I just threw in extra details to steer the conversation away from Ethiopia. My trick? Pile on so much information that people get lost in it. It works like a charm 😋. But honestly, hearing "Ethiopia" in that moment stung. It brought the pain of what my people were going through!
My strategy has always been to distance myself from the whole Ethiopia thing. I used to speak Tigrigna to any Amharic speaker, and I spoke Amharic to Eritreans. Any of those conversations? One minute felt like an hour.
The worst is when Ethiopians say stuff like, "በጣም ያሳዝናል፣ ግን እኮ ህወሓትም ልክ አላደረገም" ("It's so sad, but TPLF wasn’t innocent either”)😟. That line makes my blood boil. Going door to door, killing civilians—that’s not something you justify. Ever. When people bring up the TPLF thing, I either want to fight or run. To me, it feels like they’re using it as a shield to downplay the atrocities. It’s not just politics; it’s personal.
Today, I see Tigrayans who survived #TigrayGenocide—the horrors of the Evil Triple Axis (Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Amhara) being sabotaged, harmed, even killed by their fellow Tegaru. I see division among us, driven by power-hungry individuals. I see abnormal things becoming the new normal. Isn't painful?
Back when I was in school, I had to introduce myself all the time—monthly presentations, group projects, you name it. I was fiery, passionate about rejecting Ethiopia at every turn. But now? I wonder if I’d still have that same fire. Life’s different outside the classroom. The question of where I’m from doesn’t come up as often, but when it does, will I still feel that same urge to push back? I don’t know. The pain remains, even deeper, when those meant to heal us inflict wounds worse than the enemy's!
@reda_getachew You have challenged/disrupted seemingly untouchable years old establishment. For doing this you have become a victim of smear campaigns. Yet you continued to let everyone speak his/her mind without fear & people started to enjoy some democracy. Most important is you maintained the peace despite the challenges. Being a very close friend & comrade for many years, I enjoyed your leadership qualities. You became a beacon of hope for change, international statesman & the face of Tigray. We thank you Getch. Change in #Tigray is inevitable!
7years of murder.
7years of bombing.
7years of gang rape.
7years sexual torture.
7years of mass arrests.
7years of starvation.
7years of lying.
7years of looting.
7years of separation.
7years of crying.
7years of trauma
7years of darkness
and much more.
Whether @reda_getachew continues as a President or not he has made an indelible mark in Tigray’s history.
He might have made mistakes, he had his shortcomings but he served Tigray with dedication and heart!
Thank you for your service!!
የቐንየልና!!
ጋብ ኖህ ኢሶይ!!
Another war is looming over Tigray
I am currently in Mekelle, Tigray. People are very worried and scared.
We are unsure what is going to happen and if our safety will be compromised.