Mekelle, August 27, 2025 (Tigray Mass Media Agency) —Tigray Bureau of Communication Affairs has condemned what it described as the deliberate misuse of the historical, religious, cultural, and ancient Ashenda celebration by Amhara Regional Communication Bureau and Amhara Media Corporation (AMICO) for political purposes.
In a statement issued today, the Bureau criticizes Amhara Regional Communication Bureau and AMICO for the production of a banner reading “Solel Celebration in Kobo” under the administration of Raya Alamata District in Amhara region. The bureau rejects claims made by the organizations during Ashendeye festival, celebrated by the Agew community for reporting representatives from the administrations of Korem, Ofla, and Zata districts as being present in Sekota, despite their absence. The Bureau stresses that such reporting attempts to politicize the celebration by misrepresenting these districts as part of Amhara region.
The Bureau denounces recent coverage of the Felseta Fast, describing it as a false narrative, referring to the event as “In Amhara Region Welkayt Tsegede Setit Humera Adrashigne Religious and Cultural Celebration” accompanied by picture news defining areas of Western Tigray as part of Amhara under the title “The Heaven of the Desert ‘Setit Kafta Humera’.” The Bureau states that such portrayals are a clear violation of the Ethiopian constitution and contrary to the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
Reaffirming districts in Southern Tigray, including Alamata, Korem, and Ofla, as well as districts in Western Tigray, are constitutionally and historically part of Tigray, the Bureau notes that politicizing Ashenda celebration distorts historical and constitutional realities, reinforces previous violations, and heightens tensions, undermining stability in the area.
The Bureau describes the politicization of Ashenda as “irresponsible and unacceptable act,” calling for immediate correction. The statement urges Amhara Regional Communication Office and Amhara Media Corporation to rectify the reporting, take corrective measures against those responsible, and stop acts that could provoke renewed conflict. The Bureau calls on the federal government to take legal measures against institutions that commit constitutional violations.
