Former Spokesman in the Office of the Prime Minister, Zadig Abraha on Tuesday submitted a letter of resignation to his party, Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which is part of the ruling coalition, saying that he could not remain a member because his views do not align with those of the party.
In a telephone interview with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation last night, Zadig, who is currently in the UK for study, cited the TPLF leadership’s open opposition to the reform agenda of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as the main reason for quitting his party, saying his conscience doesn’t allow him to continue with such a party.
“In my view, the Prime Minister’s reform agenda is vital for the country. Our country needs and deserves democracy. Above all, there are no people who have sacrificed for democracy than our people,” he said.
Ziad, who in the past also served as deputy general director of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and head of the Justice and Legal System Research Institute, said he also felt the Raya people’s identity question was not handled in a democratic manner by the Tigray regional government. He said the Raya people that he belongs to has been asking to join its brotherly Amhara and Wollo people and the peaceful and legitimate question was being met by force. “Therefore, I declare my exit from the Party.”
TPLF has downplayed the departure by its key politician, saying that it is not a matter of personalities, but a matter of values and ideals. Getachew Reda, (one of the nine TPLF executives), said: “TPLF is above Getachew, it is above Meles, it is above Aboy Sebaht. TPLF is above personalities,” as he was quoted by Awramba Times.
Zadig, known for his loyalty to TPLF and for the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is not prone to making controversial statements and the resignation request surprised many social media commentators. Some say it is a reflection of growing dissatisfaction with the hard-line branch of the party. Others are accusing Zadig of being a traitor to his ethnic group.
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Good luck to him. He needs a dose of courage. He will be subjected the ire of radical Tigrayan who considered it a patriotic duty to show their hostility to Dr. Abiy.
Interesting that Zadig’s complaint about Raya identity was also recently echoed by Tplf General Tsadikan (who btw owns Raya Beer!).
Another question is this, How did Zadig get on fast-track appointments less proper credentials? One month he was at Ministry of Info bossing Minister Dr. Negeri Leencho, next he was heading Info in Prime Minister Hailemariam’s Office.
Meles Zenawi is his hero. He worked for Tigray Development Assoc. He was coordinator for resources for Renaissance Dam (think Metec and DebreTsion in one). You think one would be appointed to such offices unless one is doing something right (I mean Tplf-wrong)?
And then there came a shift of power. Dr. Abiy came in (Zadig’s handler Tplf was sidelined). Abiy’s reform included releasing of political prisoners. Zadig’s statement to Bloomberg https://bloom.bg/2MTipfO was that “prisoners being released include political leaders and individuals convicted by a court of law for committing crimes.” In other words, undermining Dr. Abiy’s stand and favoring continuation of Tigray Front human rights abuses!
I am leaving out a lot, of course. Zadig’s so-called “scathing review of Tplf” and “letter of resignation”is nothing but a strategy for a second life (and perhaps to avoid looming investigation and charges).