- Source: Tigraynization
Tigraynization is a process of making dominance and supremacy of the Tigray people (Tigrayans and Tigre). Tigraynization is manifested through the rule of TPLF-led EPRDF regime since 1991 when the current constitution of Ethiopia provided equality among ethnic groups in Ethiopia. Ethiopians viewed TPLF operative as clandestine government to benefit Tigrayan people.
By 2018, TPLF lost its control after newly elected Abiy Ahmed reformed the politics and removed their leaders from the government position. The dissolution of EPRDF and the creation of Prosperity Party in 2019 by merging political parties like Oromo Democratic Party (OPDO), Amhara Democratic Party (ANDM) and Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (SEPDM) clearly dubious to Tigrayan leaders by endangering their influence in the politics, leading to hostility in 2020.
Background
Tigrayans constitute approximately 6.1% of the population of Ethiopia – mainly agriculturalist living with small villages in the community. Tigraynization was first documented in 1425, where Akhadom, who founded Shum Agame won victory against Agame Irob group, forced Agame to accustom Tigrayan custom and speak Tigrinya or Ge'ez language. In 1975, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was formed as liberation movement among the Tigrayans, and fought against Marxist–Leninist Derg during the Ethiopian Civil War. After the fall of the Derg regime in May 1991, TPLF-led EPRDF coalition took power which consisted of majority Tigrayans that have minority identity in the coalition.
Under the coalition, Ethiopia became more prosperous and stable, but human rights and democracy erosion concerned. Ethiopians viewed that cliques of Tigrayan dominated the politics for their own benefits. Subsequent protests throughout Oromia and Amhara regions in 2015 and 2016 led to the resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn in 2018, and Abiy Ahmed became the new prime minister. In the wake of his early office, Abiy liberalized the politics and formed Prosperity Party in 2019, consisting of three of the four ethnic parties within the coalition, Oromo Democratic Party (OPDO), Amhara Democratic Party (ANDM) and Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (SEPDM), voted overwhelmingly to join the party, while TPLF rejected as "illegal and reactionary". Tigrayan leaders complained that they are persecuted by corruption and unfairly removed from their positions. This furtherly understood by Tigrayan leaders that Abiy is serious threat to their dominance, and their relations became fragile by 2020.
See also
Tigray People's Liberation Front
Oromization
Amharization
