Ángel Olaran: “I hope we will say never again to a war between brothers”
The Tigray region, in northern Ethiopia, is going through a prolonged crisis marked by economic blockade, lack of fuel, the paralysis of basic services, and political uncertainty. Despite the Pretoria Agreement, commitments have not been fulfilled and the threat of a new war remains latent. Thousands of displaced families are waiting to return to their homes, young people lack opportunities, and despair is growing with an alarming increase in forced migration and suicides.
In this context, missionary Ángel Olaran: “I hope we will say never again to a war between brothers” shares his direct and sincere testimony. His words, full of concern but also of hope, shed light on the reality of a people struggling to survive and maintain unity in the face of adversity.
Father Ángel Olaran at our headquarters, on July 18, 2025.
On the Pretoria Agreement
“What surprised me most was the Pretoria Agreement. The principle was that factories would start working again, that everything destroyed would be repaired, and that it would restart. But until now, that is not happening. Even if schools are free, children need food.”
Youth at the center of concern
“For the government of Tigray, the big question is the youth. Many young people went to war. Many died. Many of those who returned said: ‘When we were there, at least we ate one bread a day. When we came back, we were abandoned.’ This is a problem.”
Government responsibilities
“The government has a big responsibility. Until Pretoria, there was only one government —TPLF and TDF were the same. Since the Derg, for about 30 years, we were in the same boat. During the genocide in Tigray, we were united. From our center, we lost 19 people in the war.”
Division and internal confrontation
“It does not matter what their political program is, but in the last year, people are confronting each other. You can have different political goals, but this is becoming one against another. Before they were united for a reason. Now they are more interested in solving their own personal problems than in solving the people’s problem —especially that of the youth.”
Unfulfilled commitments
“One of the principles of Pretoria was that, from day 1, 100 big trucks would arrive in Tigray. How many arrived? Very few. People have not received anything.
The leaders —why are they fighting? I don’t know.”
The international committee that never came
“One of the big achievements when drafting the agreement was that there should be an international committee in Tigray, helping the Tigrayan people and the government to organize Tigray. Most would be Africans —but international. They would have freedom of movement, to ask, to organize. Have we received such a committee? No.”
Silence about genocide and education paralyzed
“Genocide —nothing is being said about it. Students are in the streets. Schools have stopped. Nothing is being said.”
The risk of a war between brothers
“I ask God that what remains of the Tigrayan army does not join any side in Tigray’s politics. If that happens, we will be in a civil war. I hope they are wise enough to say: ‘Never again’ to solving a regional problem with war. It would be a ‘war between brothers’. The Tigrayan population has always been united.
We trust that in this confrontation between the two political movements now forming, the generals will not take part.”
A unity that cannot be lost
“They must understand —it took more than 30 years to build this unity, and in less than a year they destroyed it. That is not right. I don’t think the people deserve it. I don’t think the hundreds of thousands or the million who died deserve it.”
Your support can make a difference
At the Fundació CIS Ángel Olaran we continue to stand with the people of Wukro and the entire Tigray region in these critical times. With your help we can provide food, medicines, education, and human support to those who need it most.
👉🏽 Make your donation today and join this solidarity commitment. Together we can keep alive the hope of peace and a future for Tigray. Make a donation!
Context on the Tigray crisis
👉🏽 To understand the full context of the crisis in Tigray, you can read: Tigray struggles to rebuild its future in peace.
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