Trouble in Paradis: Wolkayit, Tegede and Telemt
The book "Trouble in Paradise: Wolkayit, Tegede and Telemt Under the TPLF Administration" attempts to present a narrative that seeks to justify the atrocities committed against Tigrayans in Western Tigray by reframing the historical and political dynamics of the region. Published by researchers from the University of Gondar, the book claims to document the grievances and alleged mistreatment of Amhara communities under the TPLF's administration of the Wolkayit, Tegede, and Telemt areas. Below is a summary of how the book justifies the actions of Ethiopian federal forces, Amhara militias (including Fano), and Eritrean troops.
Rewriting History to Assert Ownership The book argues that Wolkayit, Tegede, and Telemt are historically and culturally Amhara territories, implying that the removal of Tigrayans from these areas is a process of restoring "historical justice." This framing dismisses the long-established demographic presence of Tigrayans in these regions and justifies their expulsion as a necessary correction of alleged "historical wrongs" perpetrated by the TPLF.
Demonization of Tigrayans and the TPLF The narrative vilifies Tigrayans as aggressors who imposed cultural and administrative hegemony on the Amhara population during their rule. By portraying the TPLF as a tyrannical force, the book implicitly legitimizes the subsequent violent measures taken to "liberate" the region. It downplays or omits the human rights abuses documented by independent organizations, framing these actions as justified responses to TPLF mismanagement and repression.
Alleged Advocacy for Amhara Victimhood The book focuses heavily on alleged crimes committed against the Amhara people during the TPLF's rule, presenting these claims as a rationale for the displacement and mistreatment of Tigrayans. This one-sided approach disregards the ethnic cleansing and atrocities committed against Tigrayans, as extensively documented by Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, and other independent bodies.
Mischaracterization of Ethnic Cleansing While independent reports describe the events in Western Tigray as part of a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing against Tigrayans, the book reframes these actions as "restorative justice." It characterizes the mass displacements and killings as necessary to address the historical grievances of the Amhara population.
Silencing Victims and Denying Human Rights Violations The book largely ignores or downplays the well-documented accounts of atrocities committed by Ethiopian federal forces, Amhara militias, and Eritrean troops. It fails to acknowledge the widespread killings, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and forced expulsions of Tigrayans, as reported by independent human rights organizations.
Contrasting Independent Findings
Independent organizations such as HRW and Amnesty International have thoroughly documented a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in Western Tigray. Their findings include:
Ethnic Cleansing: A deliberate and coordinated effort to forcibly remove Tigrayans from Western Tigray, often through violence and intimidation.
Crimes Against Humanity: Including mass killings, widespread sexual violence, torture, and forced displacement.
International Condemnation: These atrocities have been condemned by international bodies, which have called for accountability and justice for the victims.
Conclusion
"Trouble in Paradise" attempts to justify the atrocities committed against Tigrayans in Western Tigray by reframing them as corrective measures to historical grievances. However, its narrative is heavily biased, failing to address or acknowledge the documented atrocities and the suffering of Tigrayans. Independent investigations by HRW, Amnesty International, and others provide a starkly different account, highlighting a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity that demand accountability.
