Mekelle (ESAN TV)— The Wudib Natisnet Tigray party, also known as the Tigray Independence Party (TIP), has announced its intention to launch a campaign of civil disobedience, which could escalate to revolt, in the Tigray region. The party aims to challenge the current political system, which it claims is dominated by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The announcement was made by TIP’s chairman, Dr. Dejen Mezgebe, at the party’s office in Mekelle. This decision follows a regular council meeting held on May 17, 2025, where the strategy was formulated.
Dr. Dejen told Ethiopian Insider that a key issue discussed at the council meeting was the relationships being forged by two factions within the TPLF leadership with other forces. These factions are aligning with Eritrea’s PFDJ and Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party. TIP firmly rejects the alliances formed by TPLF’s rival factions with both the Prosperity Party and the PFDJ, often referred to as “Sha’abiya.”
The council deliberated on the potential consequences for Tigray of these alliances. Dr. Dejen expressed concern that the TPLF’s internal divisions, with one faction aligning with the Prosperity Party and the other with the PFDJ, could lead to another unwanted war. He emphasized that any conflict instigated by these forces “cannot be a war for the people of Tigray.” While the effects of such a conflict might impact Tigray, he clarified that it is not a cause for which Tigrayans would willingly sacrifice.
Furthermore, Dr. Dejen asserted that the relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea is irrelevant to the people of Tigray. He stated that neither country’s issues or disputes should be a reason for Tigrayans to make sacrifices. The chairman also noted that the party feels it has “no representation whatsoever in Ethiopia,” citing the absence of Tigray representatives in the House of Representatives and the House of Federation. He added that the Tigray region is also underrepresented in the national defense force and many federal government institutions.
Consequently, Dr. Dejen declared that the Ethiopian government cannot “force” Tigray, “drag it into its own agenda,” or “engage it in battle.” He also emphasized that Eritrea is a separate country and that there can be no alliance or relationship with it. Due to these factors, the pro-independence party adheres to a policy of “calculated neutrality.”
Dr. Dejen further mentioned that the TPLF faction reportedly allied with the Eritrean government, took control of the Tigray regional interim administration by force, an action which the party opposes.
The decision to pursue a “civil disobedience” campaign was made to challenge the TPLF’s unilateral control over the Tigray region. Dr. Dejen stated, “There will be no political system or national interest that the TPLF alone controls. To address this, we will wage a political struggle. We will engage in civil disobedience. We will conduct legal political protests and struggles, which may include revolt.”
