From individual voices to institutional statements, there is growing concern that Tigray is once again on the brink of internal conflict. The warning signs are unmistakable: political fragmentation, inflammatory rhetoric, and public disillusionment are converging to form a dangerous trajectory.

No one understands the cost of war better than the people of Tigray. Having endured the devastating consequences of armed conflict both in recent years and over the course of history, Tigrayans know firsthand that war delivers no winners, only destruction. The scars of recent violence remain fresh: shattered infrastructure, displaced communities, and countless lives lost or permanently altered.

Despite these valuable lessons, there are alarming signs of renewed political polarization. A persistent “us versus them” mindset among parts of the region’s political leadership has fostered a divisive atmosphere. This approach has given rise to groups that exploit the situation for personal or factional gain, further deepening societal rifts.

The digital battleground has exacerbated the problem. Toxic narratives and inflammatory content shared via social media are fueling mistrust, inciting anger, and stalling efforts at genuine reconciliation. At a time when collective healing and unity are desperately needed, this online discord threatens to plunge Tigray into deeper turmoil.

At the heart of the current crisis is a leadership vacuum—a failure to prioritize inclusive dialogue over political competition. Tigray’s recovery, both physical and political, remains incomplete largely because its leaders have yet to present a coherent, people-centered vision for the future.

Many in Tigray now question the role of former political elites, especially elements within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), whom critics accuse of placing partisan interests above the broader welfare of the region. But it is also true that political conflict cannot persist without public support. If the people refuse to be mobilized for another round of destructive confrontation, no leadership, however powerful, can sustain it.

That is why the responsibility now falls on Tigray’s youth, civil society, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens to become vocal advocates for peace. Through organized, peaceful expression—not silence or submission—the public can pressure political actors to prioritize negotiation over confrontation.

Religious institutions, historically trusted voices in Tigrayan society, must also rise to the occasion. Their moral authority can play a pivotal role in encouraging dialogue, tempering extremism, and reminding communities that the spiritual cost of fratricide is as great as the material one.

Tigrayans must not allow internal divisions to derail what should be a unified demand: the full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement and the resolution of territorial disputes through constitutional means. Without peace, no amount of aid, investment, or reconstruction will yield sustainable progress.

Forums already exist to address these challenges. What’s lacking is the collective will to engage them in good faith. The alternative—further fragmentation, instability, and possibly renewed violence—is a road Tigray cannot afford to travel again.

History has shown that the determined, peaceful voice of the people is a powerful force. It can stop wars. It can usher in democratic change. Today, that voice is urgently needed.

If Tigray is to escape the shadow of its past and forge a new future, it must reject internal enmity and embrace unity, consultation, and compromise.

The time to speak, and to act, Is now.

Contributed by Gebremichael Negash