Tigraynization

Tigraynization is a sociopolitical concept of a perceived dominance of Tigrayan identity, politics and culture. Historically, Tigraynization was manifested through TPLF-led EPRDF regime since 1991 when the current constitution of Ethiopia provided equality among ethnic groups in Ethiopia. Ethiopians viewed TPLF operative as clandestine government that benefit Tigrayan people.

By 2018, TPLF lost its control after newly elected Abiy Ahmed reformed the politics and removed their leaders from the government position. ^[1] The dissolution of EPRDF and the creation of Prosperity Party in 2019 by merging political parties like Oromo Democratic Party (OPDO), Amhara Democratic Party (ANDM) and Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (SEPDM) clearly dubious to Tigrayan leaders by endangering their influence in the politics, leading to hostility in 2020. ^[2]

Background

Tigrayans constitute approximately 6.1% of the population of Ethiopia – mainly agriculturalist living with small villages in the community. Tigraynization was first documented in 1425, where Akhadom, who founded Shum Agame won victory against Agame Irob group, forced Agame to accustom Tigrayan custom and speak Tigrinya or Ge'ez language. ^[3] In 1975, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was formed as liberation movement among the Tigrayans, and fought against Marxist–Leninist Derg during the Ethiopian Civil War. After the fall of the Derg regime in May 1991, TPLF-led EPRDF coalition took power which consisted of majority Tigrayans that have minority identity in the coalition. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Under the coalition, Ethiopia became more prosperous and stable, but human rights and democracy erosion concerned. ^[8] Ethiopians viewed that cliques of Tigrayan dominated the politics for their own benefits. ^[9] Subsequent protests throughout Oromia and Amhara regions in 2015 and 2016 led to the resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn in 2018, and Abiy Ahmed became the new prime minister. ^{[10] [11]} In the wake of his early office, Abiy liberalized the politics and formed Prosperity Party in 2019, consisting of three of the four ethnic parties within the coalition, Oromo Democratic Party (OPDO), Amhara Democratic Party (ANDM) and Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (SEPDM), voted overwhelmingly to join the party, while TPLF rejected as "illegal and reactionary". ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]} Tigrayan leaders complained that they are persecuted by corruption and unfairly removed from their positions. ^{[16] [17]} This furtherly understood by Tigrayan leaders that Abiy is serious threat to their dominance, and their relations became fragile by 2020. ^{[18] [19]}

See also

• Tigray People's Liberation Front
• Oromization
• Amharization

References

1. Jalata, Asafa (2020-11-19). "What lies behind the war in Tigray?". The Conversation. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
2. Anonymous (2013-06-05). "The Common Home Great Oromia As a Win-Win Solution for The Conflict Between The Pro-Independence Oromo and The Pro-unity Amhara". zehabesha.com. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
3. Tamrat, Taddesse (December 2009). Church and State in Ethiopia: 1270 - 1527. Tsehai Publishers. ISBN   978-1-59907-039-1.
4. "Ethiopia's Tigray war: The short, medium and long story". 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
5. "Tigray crisis viewpoint: Why Ethiopia is spiralling out of control". 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
6. newframe (2023-12-07). "Tigray has resisted Ethiopia's far greater military might for two years – here's why neither side is giving in". Sociology. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
7. Ishiyama, John (2023). "Ethnic Identity and Conflict: The Case of Ethiopia". Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. 24 (1): 12–18. doi:10.1353/gia.2023.a897696. ISSN   2471-8831.
8. "Ethiopia's Tigray war: The short, medium and long story". 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
9. Walsh, Declan; Dahir, Abdi Latif (2022-03-16). "Why Is Ethiopia at War With Itself?". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2025-01-21.
10. Peralta, Eyder (2020-11-13). "What To Know About Ethiopia's Tigray Conflict". NPR. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
11. "Navigating the regionalization of Ethiopia's Tigray conflict | 05 The role of the international community". www.chathamhouse.org. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
12. "Tigray crisis viewpoint: Why Ethiopia is spiralling out of control". 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
13. Burke, Jason; correspondent, Jason Burke Africa (2020-11-25). "Rise and fall of Ethiopia's TPLF – from rebels to rulers and back". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-10-24.{{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
14. "Ethiopia swears in first PM from ethnic Oromo community". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
15. Allo, Awol. "Why Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party could be bad news for Ethiopia". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
16. "Ethiopia's Tigray conflict explained in 500 words". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
17. "Ethiopia's Tigray war: The short, medium and long story". 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
18. Melesse, Kassahun (2020-11-19). "Tigray's War Against Ethiopia Isn't About Autonomy. It's About Economic Power". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
19. Endris, Mohammed Yimam; Mengisteab, Kidane (2023-12-15). "The vicious cycle of power rivalry and fear of losing power syndrome in Ethiopia". Cogent Social Sciences. 9 (2). doi:10.1080/23311886.2023.2251290.