Abraha and Pierre: A Friendship to Preserve the People’s Memory of War

In Paris, two historians’ paths crossed. One had just arrived from Ethiopia, carrying notebooks filled with daily observations written during the war in Tigray. The other, based in France, is a specialist of Ethiopian modern history. From this encounter, a partnership was born: one grounded in trust, intellectual freedom, and a shared commitment to grassroots voices. Through a cross-interview, Abraha Weldu Hailemariam and Pierre Guidi reflect on their collaboration and on the making of Abraha’s book and scholarly project The Determined Wound, developed within the PAUSE program which welcomes researchers in exile at Université Paris Cité.

Abraha Weldu Hailemariam and Pierre Guidi

A meaningful encounter

When Pierre Guidi, research officer at Université Paris Cité and the IRD (CEPED research center), met Abraha Weldu Hailemariam in May 2023, Abraha had just arrived in France from the war in Tigray¹. Their partnership quickly grew out of a shared interest in Ethiopian history, conflict studies and a common ethical perspective.

Pierre: “We met at a seminar organized by Elena Vezzadini at the Institut des Mondes Africains. The discussion was about popular history and how to write history from below, presented by Noor Nieftagodien. We realized that Abraha and I shared an interest in understanding social dynamics not from the elites, but from the people, from the popular classes.”

Abraha: “His [Pierre’s] interest in Ethiopian history and the conflict was a chance to deepen our collaboration. From that moment on, we began working very closely together. It was with his support that I joined Université Paris Cité through the PAUSE² program, and since then we have been discussing together on issues related to the war in Tigray.”

The Determined Wound : Turning a Diary into Social Science

Before becoming a book, The Determined Wound was a set of handwritten notes, written day after day by Abraha during the war that began in 2020.

Pierre: “Abraha told me that throughout the war, he wrote a diary. He was writing daily what was happening, the discussion he had with people, what he was witnessing.”

Over time, this diary became the foundation of a scientific work. Titled The Determined Wound – Grassroots Voices From the Tigray War – A Diary Account, the book draws on both Abraha’s own experience and on the voices of those around him, enriched by his expertise as a historian. It is set to be published by Red Sea Press during 2026.

Abraha: “It’s not only my own experience, it is an experience of people at the grassroots, the ordinary communities […]. I try to integrate various themes, especially gender issues, survival strategy, mobilization, memory, hope. […] while challenging the dominant narratives; I want to support justice and reconciliations.”

Pierre saw in Abraha’s work an ethical position that carries political weight.

Pierre: “Abraha’s aim was not to write the history of a single camp, but to record everything he witnessed. Without judgment. […] It is important for us to write the history of the ordinary people who faced contempt and violence from the elites on both sides, who dragged them into an extremely deadly war. And it seems obvious. Sometimes, we forget obvious things that are important.”

A Partnership Built on Care and Integrity

Behind the completed manuscript unfolds a human story shaped by trust, support, and intellectual freedom. Abraha highlights the decisive role of Pierre’s guidance in transforming a personal diary into a scholarly work, while Pierre was deeply impressed by Abraha’s determination and commitment. At the heart of Abraha’s project lies a dual motivation : both personal and scientific.

Abraha: “My motivation is professional as well as personal: personal as a survivor and professional to preserve historical memory. […]  I realised the importance of documenting events. I dreamt of publishing it, but a dream alone cannot succeed without the support of people like Pierre.  When I met Pierre, he encouraged me to turn my dream into reality.”

Pierre: “Writing was not easy for Abraha, of course. It was a difficult exercise. But the process went ahead very well.”

Abraha: “Pierre is like a friend. More importantly, Pierre created the conditions that made writing possible. […] He encouraged me to frame my diary and gave me the freedom to work responsibly and with integrity. That is essential in documenting issues which are very politically sensitive, you need freedom.”

The PAUSE program launched at UPCité created the necessary conditions for undertaking this delicate historical work. Combined with Pierre’s support and commitment it enabled Abraha the opportunity to document the resilience, resistance, and political awareness of the Tigray people, while emphasizing the necessity of writing history “from below”. This approach preserves not only events and facts but also placers the voices and experiences of those who endured it at the heart of the narrative.

The Determined Wound – Grassroots Voices From the Tigray War – A Diary Account by Abraha Weldu Hailemariam – The Summary

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