UMD Media, January 16, 2025
The three-day “Enough is Enough” rally, held day and night from January 13–15, 2025, at Romanat Square in the Capital of Tigray, Mekelle, concluded with participants submitting detailed demand letters to President Getachew Reda of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration and Party Chair Debretsion Gebremichael of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the signatory of the Pretoria Agreement. The rally ogranized by Tsilal – Civil Society of Western Tigray emphasized the need for action on return of IDPs, restoration of territorial integrity, justice, accountability, and the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement.
Key Points from the Demand Letters
The demand letters presented during the “Enough is Enough” rally outlined several critical issues for immediate action. Central to these demands was the complete and immediate implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, which the participants stressed as essential to facilitating the return of displaced populations, restoring Tigray’s territorial integrity, and ensuring accountability for human rights violations. The letters also emphasized the need for leadership accountability, urging Tigray’s leaders to prioritize the well-being of displaced people and the region’s recovery efforts over internal political agendas. Transparency and reform in decision-making were highlighted as prerequisites for rebuilding public trust.
The restoration of land and the resettlement of displaced Tigrayans were also identified as urgent priorities. More than 40% of Tigray’s territory, including 146 local administration units, remains outside the control of the Tigray administration since the onset of the war in November 2020. These units include those in Western Tigray, Irob, and Southern Tigray. The letters called for a comprehensive plan to alleviate the suffering caused by displacement and rebuild communities. Responsibility was not confined to regional leadership, as the Ethiopian federal government was urged to fulfill its commitments under the Pretoria Agreement. The letters highlighted that peace and stability in Tigray depend heavily on federal actions to uphold territorial integrity and address grievances.
The organizers also appealed to the international community to play an active role in ensuring Ethiopia’s compliance with its obligations. They stressed the importance of global pressure and oversight in safeguarding human rights and achieving sustainable peace in the region. Additionally, the letters paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Tigray Defense Forces and the civilian population during the conflict, calling for their contributions to be acknowledged in ongoing peace efforts. The participants reiterated their commitment to peaceful advocacy and collective action, calling on local and international organizations to support these efforts in the pursuit of justice and sustainable peace.
Organizers’ Deadline for Response
The organizers gave the authorities five business days to provide an appropriate and actionable response to the demands. They warned that failure to meet this deadline would lead to the expansion of rallies to other major cities across Tigray. The expanded demonstrations would grow in both scale and focus, aiming to amplify public pressure on local and national authorities.
Broad Participation and Global Attention
The rally saw participation from Mekelle University students, other educational institutions, and local residents. Statements of solidarity from the Tigrayan diaspora were also shared, emphasizing the global significance of the movement. Participants’ messages centered on calls for unity and collective action to address the challenges facing Tigray. Daniel Negash, one of the organizers and himself an IDP from Western Tigray, estimated that the three-day rally attracted over 50,000 participants.
The demand letters and their detailed content have been made public on the Facebook page of the Civil Society of Western Tigray, ensuring transparency and broad awareness. The rally concluded with clear messages to stakeholders at all levels:
“Implement the Pretoria Agreement. Ensure justice. Restore dignity and peace for Tigray.”
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