Abiy Ahmed’s Duplicitous Strategy: Faith Leaders as a Smokescreen for Genocidal Intent in Tigray

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent deployment of faith leaders to Tigray represents nothing short of a cynical ploy—a transparent attempt to manufacture the appearance of peacemaking while actively preparing for renewed genocidal violence against the Tigrayan people. This maneuver follows a well-established pattern of deception from a leader who has systematically weaponized every institution at his disposal—from religious organizations to humanitarian ceasefires—to advance his destructive agenda against Tigray. The international community must not be fooled by this latest charade, which comes amid clear evidence of military buildup, the organization of the Tekeze Brigade to annihilate Tigrayan resistance, the arming of disenfranchised Tigrayans in Afar as proxy forces, comprehensive drone surveillance of Tigrayan positions, and overt collusion with Amhara militias and regional actors.