Salsay Weyane Tigray

The Salsay Weyane Tigray (Tigrinya: ሳልሳይ ወያነ ትግራይ, SAWET) is a political party in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.[1][2]

Executive committee members of Salsay Weyane Tigray (7 January 2020). From left to right, first row, Hayalu Godifay (chairperson), Hadush Kinfe (public relations head), Alula Hailu (vicechair); second row: Ablelom Meles, Kahsay Hailu (hidden), Weldegiorgis Teklay, Hailu Kebede (largely hidden); third row: Tesfakiros Sahle, Tesfalem Berhe ( hidden, Legal affairs head) ), Teame Baraki, and Kiros Haileslasie (Horn Affairs head)

Salsay Weyane Tigray
AbbreviationSAWET
FoundedSeptember 2020
IdeologyTigrayan nationalism
National affiliationBaytona
TIP
Website
WWW.SAWET.org

Policies
Tigray

In January 2021, SAWET's political programme was outlined as follows:[3][4]

  • Establishment of a strong and democratic government in Tigray
  • Protection of Tigray's territorial integrity
  • Sustainable development
  • Protection of the national identity
  • Self-determination up to secession
  • Peace with Eritrea and other neighbours

In September 2020, prior to the 2020 Tigray regional election held that month, SAWET aimed at increased autonomy for Tigray Region, to "secure its territorial integrity, promote its language, and preserve its heritage."[2]

September 2020 election

SAWET won 7,136 votes out of the 2,633,848 votes cast, winning no seats in the September 2020 election.[5] The Tigray Regional Council resulting from the election established a mechanism for minority parties to propose agendas and bills, present motions, propose policy and nominate appointees. SAWET criticised the mechanism as insufficient to "bring about the desired outcome for a vibrant democratic process". SAWET was allotted two seats on the council.[1]

Tigray War

In January 2021, during the Tigray War, the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) asked SAWET for an "explanation about [its] activities" before taking a possible decision on deregistering the party in relation to its participation in the September 2020 Tigray election, that NEBE considered illegal.[6]

On 2 February 2021, SAWET, together with National Congress of Great Tigray and Tigray Independence Party, estimated there to have been 52,000 civilian casualties of the Tigray War.[7]

Leadership

Hayalu Godefay is founder and chairperson of Salsay Weyane Tigray.

Alula Hailu is vice-chairman.[4]

Hailu Kebede, foreign affairs head, was arrested in Addis Ababa by the Ethiopian authorities in August 2021.[8]

References
  1. "Debretsion faces rough road ahead as Tigray State President". Addis Fortune. 24 September 2020. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  2. Gebremedhin, Desta (5 September 2020). "Why there are fears that Ethiopia could break up". BBC News. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  3. Twitter account @salsayweyanetigrai
  4. VoA Tigrinya, 7 January 2020: ብምምራፅን ፕሮግራም እቲ ውድብ ብምፅዳቕ ዛዚሙ
  5. "የትግረይ ምርጫ፡ በትግራይ ክልላዊ ምርጫ ህወሓት ማሸነፉ ተገለፀ". BBC News (in Amharic). 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  6. "NEBE cancels registration of TPLF". Fana Broadcasting Corporate. 18 January 2021. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  7. "A Joint Press Release by Tigray Independence Party (TIP), Salsay Weyane Tigray (SAWET), and National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytona) on the Current Situation in Tigray". Eritrea Hub. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  8. Situation Report EEPA HORN No. 200 – 16 August 2021 Europe External Programme with Africa
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