A
delegation of former leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF,
dominant faction of the EPRDF coalition ruling in Addis Ababa) went on a brief
visit to the Tigray Regional State last week, to feel the pulse of their
party’s partisans in this region where criticism of federal government is on
the rise. This delegation consisted of the former foreign affairs minister and
Seyoum Mesfin, the TPLF ideologue Abay Tsehaye and
the former head of EFFORT (organisation of companies linked to the TPLF) Sebhat
Nega, who were accompanied with the President of the Tigray Regional State,
Abay Woldu. Their aim was to meet TPLF veterans, families of “martyrs” who died
in combat and young TPLF officials. Everywhere they went they heard the same
barrage of questions and criticism of Addis Ababa. These went from the lack of
retirement pensions and compensation for soldiers killed in the war against
Eritrea, to accusations leveled against the TPLF leaders in Addis Ababa that
they were corrupt and lived a life of luxury. Most of the time, Sebhat Nega
said nothing in response to this criticism other than to admit the truth of the
grievances and promise things would change. No doubt he wanted to avoid the
possibility of a setback in the 2015 general election in this region that is a
TPLF stronghold.
Source:INDIAN
OCEAN NEWSLETTER
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