ECO CONSCIOUS DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR IROB MINORITY
Introduction
The Irob, a small ethnic minority residing in the mountainous terrain of northeastern Tigray Region, Ethiopia, primarily speak the Saho language, a member of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family. Predominantly Christian, they follow both Orthodox and Catholic denominations, relying on subsistence farming and animal husbandry for sustenance. Historically, the Irob have fostered close ties through intermarriage and cultural exchange with their Tigrayan neighbors, who share similar religious beliefs but speak a Semitic language. Additionally, they maintain cultural and linguistic connections with the predominantly Muslim Saho people of neighboring Eritrea.
Situated in a geographically strategic location along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, Irobland has been a focal point of conflict and tension between the two nations for decades. During the 1998-2000 conflict, the Irobland served as the eastern front, alongside Badme, which was invaded by Eritrean forces. The strategic significance of the Aiga mountain, located within Irob territory, made it a crucial base for the Eritrean army, while the opposite side of Alitena served as a fortress for the Ethiopian army. As a result, the entire Irob population was displaced, with half falling under Eritrean military control and the remainder displaced from their land to accommodate Ethiopian forces.
The unjust occupation of Irobland by Eritrean forces was further compounded by its inclusion in the Algiers Agreement, which awarded the territory to the invader. This decision disregarded historical facts, as Irobland had never been under Eritrean control prior to the occupation, even for a single day. The allocation of Irobland under the agreement was not only unjust but also violated the principles outlined in the 1992 UN Declaration on Minorities.
The only unjust reason why Irob was ceded to Eritrea by the TPLF-dominated Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) was to undermine Irob's future influence in Tigray politics. Historically, Irob had been a stronghold of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP), whose iconic leader, the late Dr. Tesfay Debessay, was himself Irob, as were many other Irobs. The TPLF defeated the EPRP, and Irob was subsequently seen as sympathizers of the defeated party. The TPLF had been clandestinely brewing this agenda even before they came to power during their guerrilla war as friends with the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF). When the TPLF gained political power in Ethiopia, they implemented the most devastating agenda that they saw could annihilate Irob. With a population of only 50,000, they knew that if split, the Irob wouldn't continue to exist as an intact influential group in Tigray
The dispute over the territory of Badme, alongside other major hotspots such as Tsorena, and Irob, culminated in a devastating war from 1998 to 2000, resulting in significant casualties and displacement. These areas bore the brunt of the conflict, experiencing intense fighting and suffering as a result of the hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Despite a peace agreement in 2000, full demarcation was never materialized.
However, the stand off between two countries for over two decades left scars on the affected communities, particularly those living in the disputed areas. The delay in resolving the border dispute led to ongoing tensions and instability, exacerbating the suffering of the people caught in the crossfire. The communities in Badme, Tsorena, and Irob endured years of uncertainty and hardship, with their lives and livelihoods disrupted by the conflict.
Despite the eventual peace agreement, the scars of war continue to linger in these regions, as communities work to rebuild and recover from the trauma of the past. The efforts of Prime Minister Abiy and President Isaias to finally resolve the border dispute have brought hope for lasting peace, which short lived with the start of Tigray war in 2020.
The Irob people trace their lineage back to Summe, whose father, King Werede-Mehret, hailed from Tsira’e in Tigray approximately 800 years ago. King Werede-Mehret was a descendant of Emperor Yitbarek of the Zagwe dynasty, which predates the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia. For centuries, the Irob people inhabited their remote and strategically located region, fostering their democratic traditions and unique socio-cultural norms while staunchly defending their identity and land against various invaders and threats.
Throughout history, the Irob people have played a significant role in both regional and national politics in Ethiopia. They pioneered a democratic electoral system known as the “Ona” system. The Irob community has produced influential leaders and icons, leaving an indelible mark on Ethiopian history. Notable figures include Dej Subagadis Woldu, who served as a governor of Tigray and Eritrea during the 19th century; Emperor Yohannes IV of Ethiopia, whose mother was a niece of Subagadis; Empress Zewditu I of Ethiopia, who was the daughter-in-law of Emperor Yohannes IV; and Dr. Tesfay Debesay, a prominent leader of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) in the 1970s, hailing from the Irob community.
Problem Analysis
The Irob people have suffered from various man-made and natural hardships for decades. The main causes of this hardship are multifaceted and include:
Conflict-Ridden Territory: The Irob land has been a battleground for several wars between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as internal conflicts within Ethiopia. The most recent war started in November 2020 when the federal government of Ethiopia launched a military operation against the regional government of Tigray, led by the TPLF. Eritrea has been accused of supporting the Ethiopian forces with its troops, who have committed atrocities and violations in various parts of Tigray, especially in the border areas. The Irob district has been severely affected by the presence and actions of Eritrean troops, who have killed and displaced civilians, blocked aid routes, occupied hospitals, and threatened medical staff. The Irob people have been living under fear and terror, facing an existential threat to their survival and identity.
Unresolved Border Dispute: The Irob land is located in a disputed area along the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which has not been demarcated since the end of the 1998-2000 war between the two countries. A peace agreement was signed in 2000, but it was not fully implemented until 2018 when Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki agreed to end the state of hostility and normalize relations. However, the peace deal also raised concerns for the Irob people, who feared that their ancestral land would be divided or ceded to Eritrea as part of the border demarcation process. The Irob people have opposed any change in their status or sovereignty and have demanded to be consulted and involved in any decision affecting their future. They have also appealed to the international community to protect their human rights and cultural identity.
Environmental Challenges: The Irobland is prone to droughts and desertification, which affect their water and land resources, as well as their food security. Climate change exacerbates severe land shortage and degradation, resulting in destitute poverty.
Marginalization and Discrimination: The Irob people have suffered from the lack of good governance and development policies from both the federal and regional authorities in Ethiopia. They have been marginalized and discriminated against by both the central government and the TPLF-led regional government, which have failed to address their needs and aspirations. Additionally, the Irob people have faced harassment and intimidation from security forces and militia groups loyal to leading party politics. Exclusion from political participation and representation at various levels of administration, coupled with systemic assimilation and domination by majority groups, poses a significant challenge, threatening the loss of identity, culture, and language of the Irob minority.
These factors have contributed to the economic and social decline of the Irob minority, which is facing a risk of extinction as a distinct ethnic group. Urgent action from both national and international actors is needed to save them from further harm and preserve their rights and interests.
Land Degradation
Land degradation is a serious problem that affects the land resources and the people who depend on them. Irobland is a mountainous area in Ethiopia that faces land degradation due to various factors. It has a temperate climate but is becoming increasingly arid due to climate change and desertification. Irobland is located in the frontier region of Sahara and Arabian deserts , which are expanding due to climate change and human activities. The expansion of these deserts affects the rainfall patterns, temperature regimes, wind directions, and vegetation cover in Irobland. This results in reduced water availability, increased evaporation, decreased soil moisture, and altered microclimate in Irobland. These factors make the land more susceptible to droughts and desertification, which affect the land resources and the food security of the Irob people. The land is scarce and unsuitable for agriculture and settlement due to its rugged terrain and limited soil fertility. The Irob people practice subsistence farming and animal husbandry, but they have to encroach into semi-wilderness areas that are fragile and prone to degradation. They also suffer from deforestation due to clearing, fuelwood collection, charcoal production, and military use. These activities reduce the forest cover and soil quality, increase the erosion and runoff, decrease the water retention, alter the microclimate, reduce the biodiversity, and emit greenhouse gases.
The Irob people lack effective policies and strategies to cope with the changing environmental and social situations in their region. They have limited access to information, education, technology, finance, or extension services that can help them improve their land management practices. They have not adopted sustainable agricultural practices that can enhance soil conservation, water efficiency, crop diversification, agroforestry, organic farming, etc. They have not implemented participatory approaches that involve local communities in decision making and resource management.
The Irob people need effective policies and strategies to address the root causes of land degradation by reducing deforestation, overuse of land resources.
Extreme Poverty
The Irob minority relies heavily on the land for their livelihood, as do many rural populations of developing countries like rest of rural Ethiopia. They produce and consume goods and services from the land, but they have little access to markets and entrepreneurship opportunities. On the other hand, the extreme degradation of the land, as explained above, along with the lack of feasible policies to mitigate it, have resulted in the collapse of their livelihood support systems and hence extreme poverty.
Due to these factors, many Irob youth are deserting their homeland in search of better opportunities elsewhere. They are leaving behind their families, culture, and identity in hope of finding more income, education, and security in urban areas or abroad. However, they also face many challenges and risks in their migration journey. They may encounter violence, exploitation, trafficking, detention, or deportation by smugglers or authorities. They may also face discrimination, isolation, or assimilation by host communities or countries. They may also lose their connection with their roots or heritage2.
Extreme poverty in rural population has various consequences for the environment, the society, and the economy. Some of these consequences are:
Environmental degradation: Extreme poverty forces many rural people to overexploit the natural resources, such as land, water, forests, and wildlife, to meet their basic needs. This leads to soil erosion, deforestation, desertification, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and pollution. These environmental problems reduce the productivity and sustainability of the land resources, as well as the resilience and adaptability of the agro-ecosystems. They also contribute to climate change and increase the vulnerability to natural disasters123.
Social problems: Extreme poverty affects the health, education, and well-being of the rural people. Many rural people suffer from malnutrition, hunger, and famine due to food insecurity and lack of access to clean water and sanitation. They also face high rates of morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. They have low levels of literacy and education due to lack of access to quality schools and teachers. They also experience social exclusion, discrimination, and marginalization due to their ethnicity, religion, gender, or disability1234.
Economic challenges: Extreme poverty limits the income and employment opportunities of the rural people. Many rural people depend on subsistence farming and animal husbandry as their main sources of income, but they face low productivity and profitability due to poor infrastructure, technology, finance, and extension services. They also have limited access to markets and entrepreneurship opportunities due to lack of information, skills, and capital. They have low bargaining power and face exploitation by middlemen and traders. They also have high vulnerability to shocks and risks such as droughts, floods, pests, diseases, conflicts, and price fluctuations1234.
Identity Crisis
Many Irob youth are leaving their homeland in search of better opportunities elsewhere, due to the harsh conditions and challenges they face in their region. They hope to find more income, education, and security in urban areas or abroad, but they also have to sacrifice their families, culture, and identity. Their migration journey is not easy or safe. They often rely on smugglers or brokers who charge them high fees and expose them to violence, exploitation, trafficking, detention, or deportation. They may also face legal, social, and cultural barriers in their destination countries. They may encounter discrimination, isolation, or assimilation by the host communities or authorities. They may also lose their connection with their roots or heritage, or face identity crises and conflicts. 123
According to the web search results, some of the common destinations for Irob youth migration are Israel, Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, and Egypt and Europe. However, these countries have different policies and attitudes towards migrants, especially those who are undocumented or irregular. Some of these countries have strict immigration laws and border controls that make it difficult for migrants to enter or stay legally. Some of these countries have poor human rights records and treat migrants as cheap labor or commodities. Some of these countries have political instability and security threats that put migrants at risk of violence or persecution. Some of these countries have cultural and religious differences that make it hard for migrants to integrate or assimilate. 123
Some of the challenges and risks faced by Irob youth migrants are:
Violence: They may face physical, sexual, or psychological violence from various actors or situations during or after their migration.
Exploitation: They face economic, social, or legal exploitation from smugglers or employers who may abuse their labor or rights.
Trafficking: They become victims of human trafficking for forced labor, sexual slavery, or organ harvesting by smugglers or traffickers who may deceive, coerce, or abduct them.
Detention: They are detained by authorities for violating immigration laws or regulations and held in poor conditions without legal assistance or protection.
Deportation: They may be deported by authorities for violating immigration laws or regulations and face stigma, discrimination, persecution, or retaliation in their origin or transit countries.
Discrimination: They face discrimination based on their ethnicity, religion, gender, or legal status from host communities or authorities who may treat them as inferior, unwanted, or threatening.
Isolation: They face isolation from their families, communities, or cultures and have limited or no contact or access to their language, religion, or traditions.
Assimilation: They face assimilation into the host society or culture and lose or abandon their original identity, culture, or heritage.
Development Model
Our development vision rests on three pillars: land use, population and demographic, and historical and cultural identity.
Adopt a comprehensive landscape management approach for land use that delineates different zones for environmental, economic, and social development. In the mountainous regions with steep slopes, we prioritize land restoration and environmental assessment. We restrict this zone to eco-friendly activities, such as beekeeping, fruit tree planting, and ecotourism. In the lowlands with gentle slopes and plains, we implement micro irrigation systems to enhance water efficiency and crop productivity.
Create incentives to relocate youth from the mountainous regions to the towns of Dawhan and Alitena for population and demographic, where we upgrade the urban development and public services. We also extend the urban services to the nearby villages of Kallassa, Gibidawo and Daya. We offer trauma counseling services to the affected communities.
Advocate for and demand constitutional recognition, political representation and self-administration as a minority group for historical and cultural identity. We resist any attempts of assimilation and marginalization by the central government or other groups.
A possible strategy for addressing the land degradation, population, and socio-political challenges in Irobland is to introduce a wholistic theory of change that encompasses environmental, economic, and social development goals for the Irob minority as a unique eco-friendly development model. This theory of change can be based on the ecological, social, and economic characteristics of the land, as well as the existing and potential land uses and activities.
1. One of the components of this theory of change is to introduce a clear landuse policy that can create holistic management of landscapes with clear environmental, economic, and social development zones. These zones can optimize the use and management of the land resources according to their ecological, topographical, and climatic features. These zones are:
1.1. The steep slope mountainous regions, which are prone to land degradation due to erosion, runoff, and deforestation. These regions should be prioritized for rehabilitation and restoration of the natural vegetation and soil, as well as for environmental research that can monitor and evaluate the impacts and outcomes of the interventions. The economic activities in this zone should be limited to eco-friendly activities that can generate income and employment for the local people without harming the environment. Some examples of these activities are honeybee farming, fruit trees and shrub restoration, and ecotourism. These activities can also enhance the biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate resilience of these regions.
1.2. The gentle slopes and plain lowlands, which are suitable for agriculture and irrigation. These regions should be improved by introducing micro irrigation systems that can enhance water efficiency and productivity, as well as reduce water loss and pollution. Micro irrigation systems are methods of delivering water to crops or plants through small devices such as drippers, sprinklers, or microjets. They can save water, energy, labor, and fertilizer costs, as well as increase crop yields and quality. These systems can also improve soil health, crop diversity, food security, and income stability of these regions.
1.3. The towns, which are centers of urban development and public services. These regions should be improved by enhancing the infrastructure, facilities, and amenities that can support the social and economic well-being of the urban population. Some examples of these improvements are road construction, waste management, health care, education, communication, and recreation. These improvements can also promote urban planning, governance, social inclusion, cultural diversity, and economic growth of these regions.
2. Another component of this theory of change is to introduce a population and demographic policy that can address the challenges posed by the limited land availability and suitability, scattered rural settlement pattern, and low access to public services and infrastructure. This policy can include:
2.1. Making youth resettlement from mountainous regions to Dawhan and Alitena towns. This can reduce their dependencies on land resources, as well as their exposure to environmental risks. This can also increase their access to better infrastructure, facilities, and amenities in urban areas. It will also open opportunities to release the steep slopes and mountainous region for restoration.
2.2. Improving public housing, services, and urban development in Alitena and Dawhan towns and expanding into the vicinity villages like Kallassa, Gibidawo, and Daya. This can accommodate the increasing urban population, as well as provide them with quality living conditions. This can also create more opportunities for education or employment in urban areas.
2.3. Introducing trauma counseling services for the Irob people who have experienced or witnessed trauma due to wars, violence, displacement, human rights violations, or humanitarian crises caused by the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. This can help them cope with their emotional and psychological distress, as well as heal from their wounds.
3. The third component of this theory of change is to restore historical and cultural identity for the Irob people who have been marginalized and oppressed by the dominant groups or governments in their region. This component can include:
3.1. Demanding for constitutional rights that can protect their interests and identity as a minority group. These rights can include self- determination, autonomy, representation, participation, and recognition. These rights can also ensure their equal access to resources, services, rights, and opportunities in their region.
3.2. Seeking political representation and self-administration that can empower them to participate in decision making and resource management that affect their lives and livelihoods. This can also foster democracy, peace, justice, and cooperation in their region.
3.3. Advocating against assimilation and marginalization that can erode their language, religion, traditions, and values due to the influence of other cultures, especially the dominant ones. This can also prevent identity crises, where they struggle to find or maintain their sense of self, belonging, or purpose in their new or changing environments.
3.4. Preserving and promoting their cultural identity and heritage through education, media, arts, and community activities. This can also enhance their self-esteem, self-worth, and self-expression as a minority group.
4. The final component of this theory of change is to address the threat to their cohesion and survival as a group due to the combined effects of the above-mentioned challenges. These challenges can weaken their social bonds, solidarity, and collective action as a group. They can also reduce their population size, diversity, and vitality as a group. They can also endanger their existence and recognition as a group. This component can include:
4.1. Strengthening their cohesion and survival as a group through advocacy, mobilization, and empowerment. This can increase their visibility, voice, and influence as a group. This can also create a sense of unity, belonging, and purpose among them.
4.2. Celebrating their achievements and contributions as a group. This can acknowledge their resilience, creativity, and innovation as a group. This can also inspire them to continue their efforts and aspirations as a group.
Programs
The Irob community needs a sustainable and transformational transition to address the challenges they face in different sectors. To achieve this, we propose a screening, prioritization, and implementation process for various projects that can fill the most urgent gaps in each sector. The sectors we focus on are:
- Agroindustry in the lowlands
This sector aims to improve the agricultural productivity and income of the Irob farmers, as well as to enhance their skills and capacities for agro-industrial activities.
- Infrastructure Development
This sector aims to provide better infrastructure, amenities, and services for the urban residents of Alitena and Dawhan, as well as to promote their social and economic development.
- Highland restoration and research
This sector aims to restore the ecological balance and biodiversity of the highlands, as well as to conduct research on the environmental and cultural aspects of the Irob region.
- Tourism industry development
This sector aims to attract more visitors and investors to the Irob region, as well as to showcase its natural beauty and cultural heritage. For each sector, we have identified some potential start-up projects that can be procured under each program. You can find more details and examples of these projects by following the links at the end of this page.
The Theory of Change
Approach
We believe that different contexts require different solutions. Our approach combines environmental and human perspectives, and draws on various methods, tools and approaches from social, economic and environmental science fields. We will use appropriate methods, tools and approaches to gather and analyze data, track progress for adaptive planning, produce knowledge products, and communicate findings for decision making.
Geoinformation System and Remote Sensing: We will use advanced spatial intelligence analysis tools such as ArcGIS and QGIS, Sentinel 2 imagery, Google Earth engine, Collect Earth Online, etc., for detailed data collection on biophysical aspects.
Social Network Analysis (SNA): We will use this technique to collect data on institutional networks and influences.
Socio-economic and Policy Research: We will use proven methods from organizations like Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA) to conduct this type of research.
Strong comprehensive Monitoring System: We will use well-established methods such as AURORA to monitor our work.
SECTORAL PRIORITIES
The following sectoral programs are priority areas that would greatly help Irob transformation if addressed. As such, we suggest to simultaneously approach these sectors project by project basis. Innovate for start up projects that can have a ripple effect to accelerate and or positively affect the rest sectors.