The Horn Times News Letter 10 July 2012
by Getahune Bekele

On Sunday 8 July 2012, millions of humiliated and brutalized Ethiopians were forced to watch as TPLF warlords displayed their massive arsenal during the commemoration of Tigre martyrs day, which strangely took place in Addis Ababa, instead of the Tigray Republic.

on the day, the reclusive Tigray republic remembered the so-called martyrs who fall while protecting Zenawi’s brutal 21 years iron fist rule.

Most were killed in the 2005 when the tyrant lost election and instead of leaving declared war. Particularly the feared Tigre mobile death squad members known as the Agazi lost large numbers of Trojan horses in a fierce street to street  battle with the stone throwing youth of Addis Ababa.

Speaking on the occasion, one of TPLF’s ruthless warlords, Abbaye Woldu, the president of Tigray regional government said the day should be marked by striving to realize the martyr’s vision and cognizant of the Tigray region.

Shockingly in his 46 minutes speech in Tigre language, the Warlord failed to mention the name called Ethiopia and talked about Tigray only.Woldu, in his detailed report told the crowd that in the current financial year the Tigray republic has created 348,000 jobs and issued investment permit worth 5.3 billion birr.

His deputy, another Tigre warlord, Woldesilassie Woldemichael also announced 1,543 former TPLF combatants are holding key government positions while a large number of them deployed to work for NGOs.

The commemoration was held at Addis Ababa’s exhibition Centre and according to a report on Tigre website called Aiga forum, only Tigre natives were allowed in.

Nevertheless, of particular interest was the grand entrance of Tigraye president Abbay Woldu.The warlord arrived with his huge Tigre entourage escorted by more than 300 heavily armed Agazit members, who completely cordoned of traffic around Meskel Square.

Two army helicopters were also guarding the sky above in massive show of force in the absence of PM Leggese Zenawi who is receiving extensive cancer treatment in Belgium.

Analysts close to the Horn Times said the whole drama was an attempt to show unity among TPLF bigwigs but at the same time the absence of senior warlords such as Sibehat Nega, Tedros Adhanom and king maker Gen Samora Unise was reflecting badly on TPLF’s ability to control its largely unschooled wayward warlords.

Analysts also pointed out that Tigray president Abbay Woldu is not out of the running for the top job if Zenawi dies.

“He displayed his war chest in melodramatic way sending a clear message to fellow war lords that he will be their worst nightmare in coming months,” said the Horn Times political analyst.