An open letter condemning the recent reprehensible action by the Ministry of Education of the Ethiopian Government

Tigrai Online 7/9/2023

An Open Letter

Security & Justice for Tigrayans (SJT), a global advocacy organization of diaspora Tigrayans, strongly condemns the recent actions taken by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education playing a dangerous political game, illegally annexing constitutionally defined Tigray schools into the Amhara region. We strongly believe these actions were deliberately made to derail the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed in Pretoria last November and plunge the region in another bloody war.

The Ministry of Education's calculated decision to report schools within the constitutionally demarcated Tigray region as part of the Amhara region is not only a direct contradiction to the Pretoria agreement but also is an inflammatory political game designed to sabotage all hopes for peace in the region.

As an organization committed to promoting security, justice, and the wellbeing of all Tigrayans, we are deeply concerned about the potential repercussions of such a provocative action. The people of Tigray embraced the Pretoria agreement after enduring immense suffering over the past three years. But the recent action taken by the Ministry of Education destroys the hopes and aspirations of all people in the region for peace.

We call upon the Ethiopian government to hold all officials accountable for their actions as these actions undermine the constitution of the country, derail the Pretoria agreement, and could ignite another bloody conflict. Any lasting peace demands justice and accountability. Failure to hold these officials accountable can perpetuate a cycle of violence and unrest not only for Tigray but for the entire region in northern Ethiopia.

SJT demands the Ministry of Education publishes a revised report showing all schools within the Tigray region to be reported as part of the Tigray region. No other form of reporting is acceptable to us and the people of Tigray and should not be acceptable to the Ethiopian government. The government should also ensure all its branches adhere to the constitution and operate within their mandate. We also demand the Ministry publicly apologize to the interim regional government and the people of Tigray immediately.

We call upon the Ethiopian government to respect the commitments it made in the Pretoria Agreement and implement the terms accordingly. It must also weed out rogue officials who have hidden agendas that harm peace, security, and prosperity of all people.

SJT stands ready to work with the Ethiopian government or its branches to promote peace, security, and justice for all people in the region and Ethiopia as a whole.

Security & Justice for Tigrayans
North America