Addis Ababa, July 7, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister’s East African Affairs Advisor Getachew Reda said the people of Tigray are being held hostage by a small group of power-seeking criminals, accusing extremist elements within the TPLF of undermining peace, development, and the interests of the region’s people.
Getachew made the remarks during a panel discussion titled “Peace, Democracy, and Development in Tigray: The Role of the Mass Media and Activists,” organized by the Center for Responsible and Peaceful Politics (CRPP) in collaboration with Tigray Broadcasting Service (TBS). The forum was attended by Ethiopian Media Authority Deputy Director-General Yonatan Tesfaye, senior officials, journalists, and media and community influencers.
The Advisor said the people of Tigray, whom he described as resilient and hardworking, have been deprived of the benefits of the country’s development due to the actions of a small group driven by a desire for power.
He stressed that ensuring lasting peace and stability in Tigray should be a shared priority beyond political differences, noting that peace remains the foundation for expanding development efforts and enabling the region to benefit from the progress being achieved across Ethiopia.
Getachew said development initiatives underway in other parts of the country should also reach Tigray, emphasizing that the region’s people should not continue to be excluded from socio-economic opportunities.
He further alleged that extremist and destructive elements are continuing to pursue actions that could push the region back into instability and suffering, calling on the public to stand together in protecting peace and reversing what he described as a dangerous path.
The Advisor also condemned what he described as the forced conscription of young people from schools, monasteries, churches, mosques, and public spaces by TPLF extremist elements, calling the practice inhumane. He said such actions undermine the aspirations of young people who seek peace and a better future.
Speaking at the forum, Ethiopian Media Authority Deputy Director-General Yonatan Tesfaye emphasized the importance of responsible media reporting, saying journalists should accurately reflect realities on the ground and amplify citizens’ voices.
He said media content should remain guided by Ethiopia’s aspirations for peace, democracy, and development while taking into consideration national priorities and the broader regional geopolitical context.
Center for Responsible and Peaceful Politics General Manager Samuel Abate, for his part, urged media professionals and community activists to use their platforms with institutional responsibility, calling for narratives that support reconciliation, truth, democratic engagement, and citizen-centered development.