Statement of the Tigray government

DW Tv – “Statement of the Tigray government” 15 January 2021

It’s been 73 days since Abiy and Isayas’ clique have utilized foreign and internal armies with the explicit aim of subjugating the people of Tigray and if possible, destroy its very existence. But our people, aware of the sinister intentions of the enemy and under the guidance of our party, is inflicting huge losses upon them. Till now hundreds of thousands of invading armies of Prosperity and Eritrea have been swallowed up in the land of Tigray. Their fighter planes and heavy equipment have been turned to dust. 

But the enemy, terrified by the heavy losses on the four battlefronts and all areas of Tigray, has resorted to massacring and harassing innocent children, women, the elderly and youth. Unable to contain the lightning attacks of the heroic Tigrayan defence forces, it’s now deafening us with its claim of capturing and killing veteran fighters and leaders of the people of Tigray who were unable to go to battlefronts due to bad health and age.  

This week veteran fighters and leaders comrade Seyoum Mesfin, comrade Abay Tsehaye and comrade Asmelash Weldeselassie have been killed by the hands of the enemy.  The martyrdom of our elite veteran leaders is part of the effort to cleanse and destroy the people of Tigray and as such it will only make us even more determined and upgrade our struggle to higher levels. Our people understand that this action of killing our veteran heroes has two aims. On one hand, its aim is to cover up the heavy losses and defeats that it’s facing on the battlefronts and exert psychological pressure on the Tigrayan people. On the other hand, in accordance with the desire of the leader of Sha’ibia (PFDJ), who had stated that Ethiopia ought to go through political laundry, it aims to completely destroy those leaders of the Tigray people who possess the ability to bring about concrete change in the Horn of Africa and who had inflicted deserved hammering of Sha’ibia (PFDJ). What our enemies fail to understand is that they cannot kill Tigrayan spirit and way of thinking by killing individuals. It is because of this that the youth of Tigray, possessing the determination of its ancestors and keeping fidelity to the words of its forefathers, is demonstrating amazing feats of heroism by pursuing the whereabouts of the enemy. 

Our veteran leaders have embraced martyrdom choosing to confront death rather than abandon promises to their comrades and the people of Tigray and unwilling to bow down to the enemy. Honourable people of Tigray, your veteran leaders, by sacrificing their irreplaceable lives twice, have shown you their unyielding commitment. Be proud because your children will not forsake their promises to you. Honourable youth of Tigray, your fathers, even when burdened by agedness and health issues, have passed away honourably by defiantly refusing to yield to the enemy which has come to subdue Tigray. And we are certain that, cherishing this legacy of your forefathers, which is symbol of their amazing commitment, you will follow invading enemy forces, who are killers of your elders and your people and who have engaged in destroying your land, wherever they go and inflict vengeance upon them and show that Tigray remains to be the cemetery of invaders, not their playground. 

Members of militia and fighters, who, holding strategic spots, are engaged in bloody battles with the enemy, know that thousands of Tigrayan youth, who felt proud of your astonishing determination, are joining the struggle. Tigray Defence Forces along with militia and fighters as well as newly joining youth members are on the verge of shortening the lifespan of the enemy. The reconnaissance mission the enemy has engaged anew is a sign that the sun is setting on it. Therefore, we call upon you to engage in your characteristic heroism, deprive the enemy of any outlet and hammer them. Let us strive towards decisive victory aware that the sacrifices of the heroes that have fallen on battlefronts is paving the way towards creating a secure future for Tigray. 

Eternal honour and glory to the martyrs!

We shall be victorious!

The government of Tigray

15 January, 2021

Transcribed and Translated from DW video

Tigrinya text of the statement from TMH