
“Those who keep asking ‘how we survive as a Republic Tigray without port, like any land-locked states, we have options to buy port service from those who own it. But if they refused to let us, well, we will see about that .…” – Mehari Yohannes, Tigray Independent Movement (15.05.2020).
It has now been reported that the political leader, the founder and the chairman of Tigray Independence Party (TIP), Mehari Yohannes is now living in exile. The reports that is online is that his currently living in India. However, nothing has been said for certainty. Though some sources say his there for “furthering education”. The reports said he left Tigray region because of the political and security challenges that it faces. Meaning he feared for his own life and livelihood.
Mehari Yohannes has been a maverick in the political spectrum. Though very little can be said about his achievements or his concrete policies. Some said his a “fortune teller” and a man who could read the “grapevine”. Regardless if that is true or not. His party haven’t achieved that much and need support together with other parties to make significant headlines.
We can with certain say that after the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement there haven’t been genuine peace and neither strides for change. The current Interim Regional Administration (IRA) have little powers and uses it stifle dissidents. Therefore, TIP and other Opposition Parties haven’t been allowed to demonstrate or protest the failure of rebuilding after the Tigray conflict. Neither has all the parties of invasion left territories or allowed things to return to normalcy. Meaning the region is hit with starvation, lack of resources and it’s basic needs after the conflict.
With that in mind, it isn’t strange that “the Nuclear Boy” left the scene. He went into safety and found a safe-haven. Where he can now spew his rhetoric and ideas over YouTube or anywhere else online. Meanwhile he don’t have to worry about getting touched or detained for his political stances.
A man whose always “Tigray First” and puts that ahead of everything else. A political leader that certainly has a following, but how big is uncertain. Not like there is level playing field or the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have opened up the gates. Therefore, it is hard to know how popular someone really are and how big the party really is.
Alas, what we do know… is that him together with his alliances in Baytona and Salsay Weyane has been helpful. It has also made him more prominent and a voice to be reckon with.
We can just wonder how long he can sustain himself in exile and what sorts of funding that will keep him there. As a politician and a leader of a party. It cannot be easy living thousands of miles away. Especially, when the “Tigray First” and the battle for “Independence” is far away.
He who is one who has fought against and wanted the TPLF out of power for so long. While only accepting it, as long as the Tigray had more power within the EPRDF. Now that is gone… he and others hoped it was their turn.
However, the TPLF isn’t giving way and won’t go away that easily. They haven’t had power and been political savvy for decades without a reason. That’s why TIP has to be smarter and it could be costly to run away. Regardless of that, his safety does matter and so does it for everyone else.
He was lucky that he was able to flee. Other couldn’t or have no option to do so. That means he has some privilege. Which we can wonder where he got that from. Peace.











