Genocide and political destruction in Tigray: The imperative for systemic transformation

https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v4i2.2323
Published: Jan 3, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: This study examines the severe governance and public service challenges in the Tigray region of Ethiopia following genocide and political destruction, aiming to analyze the impact of the conflict on governance structures and advocate for transformative frameworks.

Methods: A qualitative survey involving 2,280 respondents was conducted using systematic random sampling and snowballing, with data collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, analyzed using ATLAS.ti version 9.

Results: The findings revealed significant gaps between public expectations and government performance, highlighting political destruction, governance collapse, and deteriorating public services. Importantly, the research underscores the often-overlooked invisible damage to political systems that perpetuate ongoing violence and societal decay.

Limitations: This study emphasizes the need for governance and political transformation that enhances accountability, transparency, and citizen engagement to prevent further political decay, calling for coordinated governance strategies aligned with democratic principles to empower citizens and contribute to Tigray's recovery, sustainable development, and social cohesion.

Contributions: This study contributes to the theoretical and empirical body of knowledge on the impact of genocide on politics and governance and the strategies for the post-genocide transformation of governance and society.

Keywords:
1. Tigray Genocide
2. Political Destruction
3. Governance Transformation
4. Civil Society Engagement
5. Post-Genocide Recovery
Authors:
Muauz Gidey Alemu
Tigray Institute of Policy Studies and Bahgina Research Consultancy and Multimedia PLC., Ethiopia
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How to Cite
Alemu, M. G. (2025). Genocide and political destruction in Tigray: The imperative for systemic transformation. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 4(2), 147–164. https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v4i2.2323
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Issue & Section
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2024): July
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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    Smith, C. Q. (2022). Local peace governance in post-war Timor-Leste: reconceiving governance ambiguity as a formalised political unsettlement. Peacebuilding, 10(3), 278-296.

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  2. Al-Samurai, A. A. R. M., & Al-Qaraghuli, A. S. R. (2021). Adopting sustainable development in reconstruction Post War City of Mosul Architecture-Case Study. Paper presented at the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
  3. Atabay, Z. E., Macedonio, A., Teba, T., & Unal, Z. (2024). Destruction, heritage and memory: post-conflict memorialisation for recovery and reconciliation. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 14(4), 477-496.
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  5. Blair, R. A. (2020). Peacekeeping, policing, and the rule of law after civil war: Cambridge University Press.
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  7. Eastern Zone-Interview Respondents. (2024, May 19). Post-Genocide Tigray Governance Dynamics. (F. e. al, Interviewer)
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  17. Karakus, D. C. (2021). Power Mediators and Pure Mediators: Exploring their Impact on Implementing Internal Peace Agreements. Dissertation, Göttingen, Georg-August Universität, 2020.
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