SUPPORT ETHIOPIA INSIGHT .wpedon-container .wpedon-select, .wpedon-container .wpedon-input { width: 200px; min-width: 200px; max-width: 200px; } Why Tigray’s true independence begins with the power of its peopleThe burgeoning discourse on the economic dividend of Tigray’s independence is both timely and critical. It presents a transformative vision of how sovereignty could unlock Tigray’s latent economic potential and redefine its future.Expert analyses have compellingly argued that Tigray possesses a stronger economic foundation than previously assumed, dispelling doubts about its viability. This shifts the essential question from whether Tigray can be independent to how it can translate independence into a future of lasting prosperity, justice, and dignity.However, the fundamental argument for self-determination transcends material calculus. Even if Tigray were poor in natural resources, economic hardship must not be a precondition for sovereignty.The right to self-determination is an inalienable political and moral right, not a privilege reserved for the materially wealthy. A nation’s true wealth lies not in its soil but in its human capital: its intellect, discipline, creativity, and resolve.History demonstrates that numerous nations, despite dire scarcity, achieved independence and subsequently built robust economies. Their success was rooted not in mineral abundance but in moral conviction, effective institutions, and citizen industriousness.Genuine development requires the expansion of human freedom. This entails removing barriers like poverty and oppression, but it is equally dependent on a people’s ability to shape their own political and social destiny.Independence, therefore, is not merely a political goal but a necessary condition for securing freedom and achieving authentic development.Tigray’s pursuit of self-rule must be understood within this broader narrative: the triumph of will and wisdom over material constraints.Global LessonsJapan: Turning Scarcity into Strength: Post-World War II Japan was devastated, with a shattered economy and limited natural wealth. Yet, through visionary leadership, it cultivated one of the world’s most advanced economies.Japan’s strategy focused on three pillars: targeted industrialization, compulsory education, and a culture of innovation. By refining foreign technologies and fostering domestic entrepreneurship, it transformed from a producer of simple goods into a global leader in automobiles and electronics.Japan’s experience proves that a nation’s wealth is measured by what it cultivates in its people, a lesson that resonates with Tigray’s own intellectual and cultural richness.Singapore: Human Capital as the Engine of Growth: Singapore’s independence in 1965 left it a resource-poor island facing deep social divisions. Within a generation, it became a paradigm of good governance and economic success.This miracle was built on visionary leadership, uncompromising integrity, and strategic investment in human capital. By prioritizing education, technical training, and a staunch anti-corruption stance, Singapore created a stable environment that attracted global investment.Its story underscores that independence is meaningful only when coupled with competent, transparent institutions—a crucial model for Tigray.Switzerland: Prosperity Through Stability and Precision: With limited natural resources, Switzerland achieved enduring prosperity by leveraging political neutrality, social cohesion, and institutional reliability.It invested in sectors reliant on human intellect—precision engineering, pharmaceuticals, and finance—rather than raw materials. The Swiss example illustrates that small nations can thrive through consistency, innovation, and the rule of law.For Tigray, this highlights that political stability and an educated populace are far more valuable than any natural resource.South Korea: From Poverty to Powerhouse: In the 1950s, South Korea was among the world’s poorest nations, ravaged by war and lacking resources. Its transformation into an industrial powerhouse was driven by strategic state planning and an unwavering focus on education.By adopting an export-driven model and cultivating a highly skilled workforce, it built globally competitive industries in steel, shipbuilding, and electronics.South Korea’s rise demonstrates that development is a product of national will and long-term commitment, not a gift of abundance.Israel: Innovation Born of Necessity: Upon its independence in 1948, Israel faced scarce resources, arid land, and hostile neighbors. It met these challenges by investing heavily in research, technology, and human development.Israeli innovations in drip irrigation and desert farming turned infertile land productive, while its emphasis on education and entrepreneurship fueled a technological boom.Israel’s success shows that adversity, when met with unity and intellect, can become a source of strength, a truth that parallels Tigray’s own experience of resilience.Beyond Natural WealthTigray is not starting from nothing. It possesses significant natural, historical, and cultural assets. Its agricultural potential and capacity for renewable energy provide a foundation for sustainable development. Yet, its true wealth is deeper.Tigray is a region of profound historical and religious significance, home to ancient civilizations, rock-hewn churches, and archaeological treasures like the Axumite heritage. These are not merely symbols of identity but tangible economic assets.With responsible management, tourism and cultural diplomacy could become key drivers of economic development, drawing pilgrims, historians, and travelers from across the globe.Above all, Tigray’s greatest asset is its people, renowned for their resilience, strong work ethic, and intellectual capacity.Sovereign VisionThe lessons from global precedents converge on one fundamental truth: a nation’s wealth lies in its people. Tigray’s future must be built on this understanding.By investing strategically in education, science, and technology, and by fostering transparent and accountable governance, Tigray can construct an economy rooted in productivity and justice.Economic self-sufficiency will require sacrifice, organization, and vision. But independence grants the power to make choices guided by internal priorities, not external coercion. This sovereignty is, in itself, the most valuable economic asset a nation can possess.True development will depend on building an economy free from exploitation—one that champions inclusivity, fairness, and collective ownership. Tigray’s independence must be anchored in economic justice and inclusive democracy, ensuring the fruits of labor are shared and governance is accountable.Tigray can become an exemplar of how a people, though wounded, can rise through knowledge, unity, and determination. Its independence is not merely an act of political self-determination but a holistic rebirth.The collective lesson of history is unmistakable: independence is a function of will, not wealth. Nations thrive despite scarcity by believing in their own potential and building systems to harness it.Tigray’s future will be determined not by what lies beneath its soil, but by what rises within its people. True sovereignty is not inherited; it is built. It is forged in the courage to stand alone, the vision to chart a new path, and the faith that a just, self-reliant, and democratic Tigray is not only possible but inevitable.In this spirit, independence is not an act of separation, but one of nation-building: the shaping of a society rooted in dignity, guided by justice, and endowed with the inalienable freedom to determine its own destiny. .wpedon-container .wpedon-select, .wpedon-container .wpedon-input { width: 200px; min-width: 200px; max-width: 200px; } Query or correction? Email us window.addEventListener("sfsi_functions_loaded", function(){if (typeof sfsi_widget_set == "function") {sfsi_widget_set();}}); While this commentary contains the author’s opinions, Ethiopia Insight will correct factual errors.Main photo: Yohannes IV Palace in Mekelle, Tigray. Source: Wikimedia Commons.Published under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence. You may not use the material for commercial purposes.The post Rethinking Independence: The Primacy of Human Capital appeared first on Ethiopia Insight.