The Tigray Conflict: A Lesson in Failed Liberal Policies

When the world turns a blind eye to the consequences of its own misguided policies, chaos ensues, and the Tigray conflict is a prime example. In November 2020, the Ethiopian government launched a military offensive in the Tigray region, located in the northern part of the country. This was a response to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) attacking a federal military base. The conflict has since spiraled into a humanitarian crisis, with thousands dead and millions displaced. The international community, particularly those who champion liberal ideologies, have failed to address the root causes of this conflict, instead opting for ineffective diplomatic gestures and empty rhetoric.

First, let's talk about the obsession with diplomacy over decisive action. The liberal playbook often involves endless rounds of negotiations and peace talks, which, in the case of Tigray, have done little to stop the bloodshed. The United Nations and other international bodies have issued countless statements condemning the violence, but where has that gotten us? Nowhere. The TPLF and the Ethiopian government continue to clash, and innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire. It's a classic case of too much talk and not enough action.

Second, there's the issue of foreign aid. Liberals love to throw money at problems, believing that financial assistance will magically solve everything. In Tigray, billions of dollars in aid have been pledged, but the situation on the ground remains dire. Corruption and mismanagement have ensured that much of this aid never reaches those who need it most. Instead of addressing the systemic issues that perpetuate conflict, the international community has chosen to apply a band-aid solution, hoping that money will somehow bring peace.

Third, the liberal fascination with multiculturalism and diversity has blinded them to the realities of ethnic tensions. Ethiopia is a nation with a complex tapestry of ethnic groups, and the Tigray conflict is deeply rooted in these divisions. Instead of acknowledging and addressing these tensions, the liberal approach has been to promote a utopian vision of harmony that simply doesn't exist. By ignoring the underlying ethnic strife, they have allowed the situation to fester and explode into violence.

Fourth, the reluctance to take a firm stance against authoritarian regimes has only emboldened the Ethiopian government. The liberal tendency to prioritize dialogue over accountability has allowed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to act with impunity. While the world dithers, his government continues to commit atrocities in Tigray, knowing full well that the international response will be nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

Fifth, the failure to support local solutions has been a major oversight. Instead of empowering regional leaders and communities to find their own path to peace, the liberal approach has been to impose external solutions that often don't align with local realities. This top-down approach has only served to alienate those on the ground and exacerbate the conflict.

Sixth, the obsession with political correctness has stifled honest discussions about the conflict. Liberals are often more concerned with not offending anyone than with addressing the truth. This has led to a watered-down narrative that fails to capture the complexity of the situation in Tigray. By avoiding uncomfortable truths, they have hindered efforts to find a genuine resolution.

Seventh, the liberal media's selective coverage of the conflict has skewed public perception. While they are quick to highlight the failures of Western governments, they often downplay or ignore the role of the TPLF in perpetuating the violence. This biased reporting has created a one-sided narrative that fails to hold all parties accountable.

Eighth, the lack of a coherent strategy for post-conflict reconstruction is a glaring omission. Liberals are quick to call for peace, but they rarely have a plan for what comes next. In Tigray, there is no clear roadmap for rebuilding the region and addressing the grievances that led to the conflict in the first place. Without a long-term vision, any peace achieved will be short-lived.

Ninth, the failure to recognize the geopolitical implications of the conflict has been a major oversight. The Tigray conflict is not just a local issue; it has the potential to destabilize the entire Horn of Africa. By treating it as an isolated incident, the liberal approach has ignored the broader regional dynamics at play.

Finally, the unwillingness to learn from past mistakes has doomed the liberal response to failure. The Tigray conflict is not the first time that liberal policies have fallen short, and it won't be the last. Until they are willing to confront the flaws in their approach, the cycle of violence and instability will continue.