Addis Standard published an op-ed by Gebremichael Negas at 10:15-11:45 AM UTC on February 10, 2026, arguing that Amhara forces' 2020 seizure of Western Tigray from Tigray Regional State constituted ethnic cleansing through mass expulsions, sexual violence, and demographic changes, violating Ethiopia's 1995 constitution. The op-ed states Western Tigray was administered as part of Tigray under the constitution until November 2020, when Amhara regional forces, backed by federal military, seized the area during the Tigray war, according to the piece reported by Addis Standard on X. Negas cites 1994 and 2007 federal censuses showing the population as 87% and 92% Tigrayan, respectively, and references Article 46(2) requiring state boundaries based on settlement patterns, language, identity, and consent. Negas contends the takeover threatens Ethiopia's federal system, describing it as a symptom of broader internal dismantling, and urges reaffirmation of self-determination and rule of law over force-based border changes, as stated in the op-ed published by Addis Standard. This op-ed follows TPLF claims yesterday of Ethiopian federal forces advancing in Tigray and controlling 40% of its territory, per a TPLF statement reported by Addis Standard, with no federal government response noted in recent coverage.
