Abiy Ahmed: Autocrat Checklist

Factories in Tigray once employed 45,000 people and produced a range of products, including garments, flour, pharmaceuticals, marble and consumer goods. According to the evidence in a WorldPeace Foundation report, every single one has been pillaged, and what could not be taken away has been burned.
An April 2021 piece by World Politics Review describes hotels that once thrived from a steady flow of tourists have been stripped bare. Even the kiosks used by shoeshine boys have been smashed, their brushes and polish stolen.
Eritrean and Ethiopian military forces have looted many sacred worship places in Tigray, targeting historical artifacts that document the roots of Tigrayan cultural and religious heritage. Many sacred worship places have faced attacks from Ethiopian and Eritrean military forces. Their goal to cleanse Tigray of its cultural heritage is evident. These are sites and artifacts not only significant to the heritage of the region but the entire continent and international community.
Al-Najashi Mosque
Al-Nejashi Mosque was looted and attacked byEthiopian and Eritrean forces; it was struck by heavy artillery, damaging its dome, the minaret and the tombs of 15 companions of ProphetMuhammad. Eighty Tigrayans were killed while protecting the sacred Mosque from invading forces.
Axum Mariam Tsion Church
The Axum Mariam Tsion church, which famouslyhouses the Ark of the Covenant, was attacked bythe Ethiopian military resulting in the execution ofover 700 civilians and 50 patrons who weredefending the church.
Rock-Hewn Churches
Further, historically significant rock-hewn churchessuch as the Debre-Damo Monastery have sustaineddrone attacks and have been destroyed in the war.