Reflection on Three Years of Tigray Genocide

Today marks three years of the Tigray Genocide. Three years that the world has remained silent, and has watched the gross violations of international human rights. Why has the world remained silent? Why have investigations into obvious war crimes and crimes against humanity stopped? Does the world not care?  Do African lives mean less?

For three years, the Tigrayan community has been not only enraged but also saddened by the lack of any action towards ending this genocide. The people of Tigray have lost everything at the hands of the armed forces of the Ethiopian and Eritrean regimes, as well as Amhara regional forces and militias. 

It is estimated that up to a million Tigrayans have died. Over 100,000 women have experienced genocidal sexual and gender based violence. Hospitals, schools, farms, and homes have been bombed and destroyed beyond recognition. People have been displaced from their homes and are living in internal displacement camps with no food, no water, and no healthcare. Seven million people are experiencing mass starvation facilitated by complicit international actors. 

The last three years have not happened in secret. The overwhelming evidence is undeniable and one thing seems abundantly clear: the intentional community has chosen willful ignorance and complicity in genocide. 

Tigray deserves your attention and Tigray deserves your help. By watching and staying silent, you have chosen to be complicit in a genocide of the 21st century. The people of Tigray who are suffering are our aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. The people of Tigray are our brothers and sisters. They are human beings. Stand on the right side of history. Enough is enough. 

To the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States of America, shame on you. Your silence and indifference have been loud. The signing of “the cessation of hostility” has allowed you to wash your hands clean of genocide, but know that this agreement has not improved the lives of Tigrayans nor has it granted proper investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Ethiopian and Eritrean government. Genocide survivors continue to live under military occupation and are dying every day.  

To the people of the world who have ignored what has happened in Tigray. Take action now. Care about what is happening in the world. Complacency is no excuse when hundreds of people are dying everyday.  Educate yourself and educate others. Your voices and actions matter. 

To fellow Tegaru, do not stop now. Continue to fight, to donate, and to advocate. We cannot stop until every hospital and school is rebuilt, until our people are no longer hungry, and until every criminal is held accountable for their actions. It is our duty to serve our families and our home. We must be a voice to the voiceless and silenced. We may mourn, but we cannot stop fighting. Above all, we must continue to have hope. 

Eternal glory to our martyrs. Free Tigray.