Why Tigray Needs Elites to Chart Its Future Course

 

Tigray has been at the center of one of the genocidal wars in recent history. From November 2020 when it erupted, the genocidal war has caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and further, left the region in political, social, and economic disarray. After the ceasefire and as Tigray looks toward its future, one thing becomes increasingly clear: the future of Tigray cannot be relegated to chance. It needs conscious, calculated, intellectual leadership-most especially from its elites, who hold experience, knowledge, and expertise in the direction and rebuilding of Tigray into a new era.

Historical and Cultural Continuity: Anchoring the Future in a Proud Past

The elites of Tigray bear paramount responsibility in the protection of heritage left from the genocidal war as well as from history and culture, as it is crucial for our identity.

 

In the aftermath of genocidal war, elites who have an intimate knowledge of the history will contribute to the preservation of the cultural identity of Tigray amidst destruction. Historical sites, churches, mosques and monasteries form the building blocks of Tigrayan culture. Targeting such sites symbolize an attack not only on the present but also on the past. These sites should be documented by Tigrayan elites, among them historians, cultural leaders, and intellectuals, so that restoration can be carried out with the aim of keeping future generations in close contact with their heritage. More importantly, the issue of preserving history is not only of physical structures but involves upholding the values of resilience, independence, and leadership that have traditionally defined the Tigrayan people. These values are crucial as Tigray navigates a path forward, and it is the duty of our intellectual and cultural elites to instill this sense of continuity and purpose in the younger generations.

 

Strategic Political Leadership: Navigating the Complexities of Power and Diplomacy

 

Tigray has always managed to survive in the most unlikely of political conditions through strong political leadership. In that respect, it is about time Tigray's elites came to the fore to take up the challenge in one of the most dangerous political times. It is in this context that Tigray requires strategic political thinkers who will be able to negotiate both internal and external dynamics to guarantee a stable and prosperous future. To this effect, internally, Tigray's elites are faced with the dire need to politically unite themselves, coupled with governance reform.

 

The genocidal war has deeply fragmented the region, with different factions vying for power in the post-war period. The task is to make this genocidal-war-torn region politically unified, and the political elite needs to work to prevent Tigray's recovery from being derailed by infighting. In fact, it is time to see leaders emerge above this factionalism to the pursuit of inclusive governance models that incorporate diverse voices and perspectives within Tigrayan society.

 

The elites are also needed in the position of the region within the wider geopolitical landscape. The Horn of Africa is a strategic interest of both regional players and global powers. Tigray's elites must be fully engaged with key international actors through diplomatic means, such as the United States, the European Union, China, and the Gulf states, in order to garner support for reconstruction, humanitarian assistance, and long-term development.

 

Additionally, elites must be at the forefront of advocating for justice and accountability in the most visible international arenas. We are victims of genocide-it must not go unseen or forgotten. The Tigrayan elites, especially in the diaspora, are particularly well-positioned to spearhead such efforts for investigation globally, sanctions, and legal accountability through international bodies.

 

Economic Recovery and Development: Paving the Way for Sustainable Growth

 

The genocidal war in Tigray brought unprecedented economic devastation in human history. Agricultural production-an intensely crucial sector of the regional economy-was destroyed. All factories, infrastructures, and key industries were looted or destroyed. Consequently, poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity skyrocketed to unparalleled levels, placing millions of Tigrayans in the grip of starvation and displacement. Thus, knowledge and leadership from the economic and business elites of the region are greatly needed for the rebuilding of the economy of Tigray.

 

The economic recovery of Tigray will be long and multilayered. It is now time for the elites, who studied economics, development, and entrepreneurship, to come forward and provide an overall economic plan, be it for short-run needs or long-term development trajectory. In the short run, humanitarian relief and food security will be paramount, along with restoring basic services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. But more than that, what the elites of Tigray need to work on is an economic model for resilience and self-sufficiency.

 

And one of the most important areas of concentration should deal with agriculture. The genocidal war in Tigray has disrupted farming activities very badly; further the western and southern regions being one of the most fertile lands in history, allowing millions of people to make a living off it, is under illegal and forceful occupation by Amhara Forces. Agricultural experts and economists from Tigray and the diaspora should support rebuilding the agricultural sector through investments in the most modern farming techniques, irrigation systems, and climate-resilient crops. More than that, this needs efforts toward revitalizing agro-industries and markets that would enable farmers to move beyond subsistence farming to more commercial and profitable enterprise.

 

Beyond agriculture, Tigray's elites must look to industrial development. It is only then that such potential, yet still nascent, manufacturing base in the textile and construction sectors, as well as in renewable energy production, will be developed by leveraging the advantages of Tigray's geographic location to key markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. An enabling opportunity for Tigrayan entrepreneurs and industrialists to emerge as a production and trade hub does exist. These ambitions will surely be materialized when foreign investment is secured and public-private partnerships are developed, both of which the elites of Tigray are best positioned to lead.

 

Education and Intellectual Leadership: Building a Foundation for Future Generations

 

The future of Tigray is in the hands of its youth, and education is the bedrock on which to rebuild intellectual and human capital in this region. But genocidal war has razed the educational infrastructure in Tigray to the ground. Schools, universities, and research institutions were either destroyed or forced to close their doors, thereby denying a generation of students their due right to education. It is now high time for Tigray's intellectual and academic elites to take center stage and lead in the restoration and reimagining of the education system in the region.

 

Although the rebuilding of educational infrastructure is the first and foremost, rethinking the role of education within post-war Tigray remains a matter of paramount importance. Elites in academia and education should be advocating for a curriculum to impart traditional academic knowledge that will complement Tigray's particular challenges of the region. Education should be dealt with as a tool for social cohesion and resilience, thus enabling the young Tigrayans to prepare themselves to become future leaders who would help contribute toward the region's recovery. Besides, higher education in Tigray has to be rebuilt and strengthened with critical thinking space, research, and innovation.

 

Tigray has always been a region marked by intellectual rigor, and its universities again need to become centers of excellence. This will be an instrumental process in which the future thinkers, scientists, engineers, and leaders will be developed for the reconstruction and long-term development needs of Tigray. It is incumbent upon the Tigrayan academics within the region and in the diaspora to try to reestablish the intellectual legacy of Tigray by encouraging a culture of inquiry, creativity, and critical analyses.

 

Governance and Social Cohesion: Building a Just and Inclusive Society

 

The future of Tigray is not only about rebuilding torn-down physical infrastructure; it is about rebuilding trust, governance, and social cohesion. The genocidal war has torn the social fabric of the region, creating divides and trauma that may take several years to heal. Elites, more so those with knowledge in governance, sociology, and conflict resolution, have a critical role in guiding the region through this very sensitive process.

 

Tigray's elites must lead the way in designing systems of governance that are inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of the people. In other words, that would mean reconciling traditional governance structures with modern democratic principles so that every layer within Tigrayan society is represented in the political process. Similarly, elites have to work in collaboration with psychologists, social workers, and community leaders to develop war trauma, reconciliation and peacebuilding programs for deep-seated traumas caused by the war.

 

It is the leadership, vision, and dedication of the elites that will determine the future of Tigray. The elites will need to come forward with clear directions in which political, economic, cultural, educational, and governance matters should be directed to make sure that Tigray not only survives but thrives in the post-genocidal-war era. Though daunting challenges lie ahead, through strategic guidance and commitment to the long-term success of the region, the elites of Tigray can indeed play a very transformative role in rebuilding an independent, prosperous, just, and resilient Tigray.