Field Marshal Birhanu Jula: "Tigray Can Constitutionally Secede" A Message Interpreted as a Threat by Many Addis Ababa | In a controversial statement that is sparking renewed debate about Ethiopia’s federal structure and the future of Tigray, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National... Defense Forces, declared that "if the people of Tigray want to separate from Ethiopia, they can do so through constitutional means." The remark, made during a recent public address, echoes earlier comments by Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebe during the height of the war in Tigray, who also suggested on national television that secession is a constitutional right. While these statements may appear to affirm the federal constitution's Article 39, which provides nations and nationalities the right to self-determination, many Tigrians see them as veiled threats rather than genuine acknowledgments of legal rights. Critics argue that such comments are not extended with goodwill but used as tools of coercion. "The message is loud and clear," said one observer. "If you dare invoke your constitutional rights, the government will treat you as an enemy. You’re expected to live not as free citizens but according to directives handed down from the center." This rhetoric, combined with the devastating toll of the Tigray war — widely recognized by international observers as involving war crimes, including ethnic cleansing and acts of genocide — has fueled mistrust and disillusionment. While many hoped for a path of justice, accountability, and reconciliation after the war, the official tone remains defiant and, to many, dismissive of the trauma experienced by the Tigrian people. Rather than addressing the underlying grievances in Tigray or meaningfully engaging in peacebuilding, critics say Ethiopian federal authorities have resorted to intimidation and nationalist rhetoric. This, they warn, may further entrench divisions and drive the region toward renewed instability. Calls are growing from both inside and outside Tigray for international mediation, justice for war crimes, and an honest national dialogue about Ethiopia’s future — one rooted in consent, rights, and respect for all peoples, not threats disguised as legal clarity.show more

Tigray is just a region of Ethiopia.

Tigray suffered in the hands of Oromuma,I guess if they choose the path for independence they could be successful rich in gold state like Qatar, and no longer genocide and warmongering from Addis Ababa

Oromuma can bless Tigray independents but we Tigrayans are cursed nation and held as hostages by terrorists #TPLF to stay with Ethiopia. Thank you Oromuma for your support. #FreeTigray from the shackles of terrorist #TPLF .

Still TPLFs are considering themselves as a federal government ,They are not conferrable to accept Tigray as regional govt,By misunderstanding their mistake is ,they are considering themselves as the only leaders and heroes in Ethiopia.

It is not threat rather democracy right TPLF has created and established. He said "no need to fight to self determination rather Constitution referrance" I didnt see any wrongness on his speech

" ለአንጭዋ ፃረሞታ ለድሙ ምፅወቲታ " መልህክቲ ንሕሰዊታ ቀዳማዊ ወያኔ መራህቲ

If the people of Tigray genuinely seek secession, I believe their right to self-determination should be respected. Supporting a peaceful & constitutional path to separation may be the most responsible way to prevent further bloodshed ...—consequences of TPLF's ethnic politics.

@reda_getachew. ????

we dosn't want tigray to be part of ours any more, tigray is a sign of femine,war,poverty and backwardness so please leave us we ethiopians want to grow Go cursed people of tigray😎

His unchecked,selfcontradicting & rehtorical"speach"is a testament to HoA's endless turmoil,senseless wars that shackled millions in a cycle of war&suffering. No will for peace,not even a pintch of respect for humanity.Literaly a playground for inept"leaders"& impunity is z norm.

It's not simply a desire of the PP Oromo-led gov; rather, they know they cannot defeat the TPLF. While they have control over Oromia and the Amhara region, Tigray remains a concern because they cannot fully dominate us. It threatens their hold on power. God bless Tigray!!

This’s it ! “Wedegebu”G Reda & likes what are they going say to jelu brhanu jula? Struggle can only be solved by two side agreements of peace deal. But the military leaders are telling Tigray to leave! Why decently Tigray is a threat to their PP leadership. So,we must move out!

⁉️Tigray People Liberation Front was organised to cut Tigray from Ethiopia, but the organization didn't serve its purpose, so blame them for their incompetence

This is more than a threat . TPLF need to wake up before Oromuma expansionists come nocking

ትግራይ ካብ ኢትዮጵያ ምፍልላይ ምስ ተፈጸመ፣ ብታላቅ መራሒ ኢሳይያስ ኣፈወርቂ ክተመሓደር ኣለዎ።