Republique Centrafricaine: Communique de l’Etat-Major des Armees No. 049 (13.04.2022)

Cameroun: Communique du Gouvernement (13.04.2022)

Tchad: Dar-Al-Assalam – Communique de Presse No 02 (11.04.2022)

Ethiopia-Eritrea: Shabait says Badme is theirs, the conflict over the Badme triangle… never ends…

Even before the economic issue became important, however, in July 1997, Ethiopian forces occupied part of the Badda District, a small, remote, but more fertile area close to the Danakil depression, and replaced the Eritrean administration in the village of Adi Murug. The claim was on historical grounds, and based on the “inaccuracy” of current maps. The most widely used map of Eritrea, published in 1995 by the Eritrean Government in cooperation with the University of Berne, shows only Eritrean territory; neighbouring countries are simply marked in grey. Unhelpfully, this map shows neither Adi Murug nor Badme nor places just across the Ethiopian border, such as Zalambessa. Despite its claims, the map presented by the Ethiopian government to representatives of the international community in Addis Ababa in May 1998 showed the border in the same way as in all current atlases. A month later, however, the provincial authorities in Mekelle (Tigray) produced a different map – funded, in their case, in cooperation with the German government which showed several areas hitherto considered part of Eritrea coming within the Ethiopian border” (Margaret Fielding – ‘BAD TIMES IN BADME: BITTER WARFARE CONTINUES ALONG THE ERITREA-ETHIOPIA BORDER’ – IBRU Boundary and Security Bulletin Spring 1999).

The Tripartite Alliance are still very active and there is reports of furthering the war in the Tigray Region. The reports that the Eritrean Defence Force has been stationed and vital in the warfare in the Tigrayan war of late is an understatement. The EDF has been one of the reasons why the Tigray region was invaded and they occupied it whole for some time. That was a retaliation of old grudges and wanted to settle old grievances. Therefore… that Shabait brings back the Badme Triangle.

Shows that the Eritrean government planned all along to annex and get the territory, which has been contested. The Ethiopian government has also claimed this land and the Badme Territory. Now, the Eritrean government claims it theirs and that the recent peace agreement of 2018 is stating so. This means the Tigray Regional Government have to give up this territory and let the demarcation of the border continue. That is evident and the Eritrean government does this… as they have allies in Addis Ababa and wants Mekelle to know that.

Here is the most interesting parts of the Shabait piece published today:

When TPLF’s military campaigns was thwarted by a costly defeat at the Assab Front in June 2000, it was finally forced to accept cessation of hostilities and later the entire Algiers Peace Agreement on December 12, 2000. The Algiers Agreement created a court of arbitration, the EEBC. The Algiers Agreement also stipulated, in categorical terms, that “the parties agree that the delimitation and demarcation determinations of the Commission shall be final and binding”. But notwithstanding the unequivocal provisions of the Algiers Agreement, the EEBC decision was not enforced by the UN Security Council because principal sponsors – especially the US and the EU – failed to honour their obligations for their own narrow geopolitical considerations. When the EEBC decision was announced, Seyoum Mesfin, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister at the time falsely claimed that “Badme was awarded to Ethiopia”. He urged the international community to use punitive sanctions if necessary, to secure Eritrea’s full and immediate compliance with the provisions of the EEBC Award. The Foreign Minister and his government were soon to make a u-turn, sing a different song and reject the EEBC Award. Subsequent sessions of the EEBC were marked by Ethiopia’s dilatory tactics. Thus, in its 16th Report to the UN in 2006, the Commission was compelled to write: “Ethiopia is not prepared to allow demarcation to continue in the manner laid down in the demarcation directions and in accordance with the timeline set by the Commission.” (…) “The course of events changed when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared Ethiopia’s readiness to accept and implement in full the Decision of the Boundary Commission. Following his visit to Asmara, a Joint Declaration on Peace and Friendship was signed between Eritrea and Ethiopia on July 9, 2018. The Declaration brought to an end eighteen years of ‘no war no peace’ between Ethiopia and Eritrea and opened a new era of peace and friendship. Article four of the Joint Agreement stipulates that “The two countries will implement the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission decision.” (Shabait – ‘We do Not Relinquish What is ours; Nor do We Covet What Belongs to Others: (Natna Aynhbn Zeynatna Ayndeln)’ 13.04.2022).

We know these ideals of Badme is old by now. As it has been part of the independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia. The Eritrean government is willing to use Italian colonial maps to prove it too. That the land and territory belongs to them.

That’s why Eritrea Daily wrote this in 2005: “At worst, the status of Badme is unclear, at best, Badme is part of Eritrea and never Ethiopian. Regardless, if there is any one left that believes Ethiopia has accepted the border ruling, here is the proof to the contrary: In a clear demonstration of its defiance of the border ruling, Ethiopia today reported that it has started registering voters in the village of Eritrean Badme for the upcoming “elections.” The international community cannot remain indifferent to this Ethiopia’s provocative action?” (EDNews, 22.01.2005).

So, the Eritrean claims are old and they are pursuing them still. What is striking is the Tripartite Alliance way of violating, war-crimes and weaponizing humanitarian assistance isn’t helping the cause of Asmara. Even if the Badme triangle or parts of Badda district is belonging to Eritrea. Their forces and the acts done in Tigray region will not help them legitimizing it. Instead, there will no goodwill and no wishes of recognizing the border between the two nations. They will rather ensure the investigations into the warfare, the violations of the Geneva convention and crimes against humanity.

The Eritrean government could be within their rights and have historical basis for the territory. However, when they are known for their actions and use of force against unarmed civilians within the Tigray region. Very few to none will give them a bouquet of flowers and give the Republic more territory.

The WikiLeaks cable says this: “Legwaila, who has served as UNMEE SRSG for five years, detailed how both Ethiopia and Eritrea had initially committed to accept any decision by the EEBC, at December 2000 cease-fire talks in Algiers. Upon the announcement of the EEBC’s decision in April 2002, Ethiopia’s foreign minister hosted a celebration and issued a statement hailing the decision as a victory for both parties; however, Ethiopia had not realized that Badame had been awarded to Eritrea. The reason for this is the EEBC did not identify Badame so it took sometime for the experts to determine to whom Badame had been given. Legwaila observed that delimitation of the border (i.e., determining where it lies) was complete, whereas demarcation (i.e., placing physical markers) was stalemated. Delimitation of the border had been conducted professionally and impartially, Legwaila said, through an Asmara-based chief surveyor armed with GPS equipment and assistance from New Zealand experts, and with aerial mapping conducted by a Swedish company. Demarcation would reflect the boundaries determined by delimiation — there would be very little change, e.g. Badame would remain in Eritrea” (WikiLeaks – ‘UNITED NATIONS REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE TO MONITOR AND RESOLVE ERITREA-ETHIOPIA CRISIS’ 28.10.2008).

Time will tell if Prime Minister Abiy will honour his peace agreement with Asmara. Which is what Shabait hopes it does. The Tripartite Alliance has been favourable for the PM and his reign. That has helped his causes and he couldn’t continue or hold on so long with warfare in Ethiopia. He needs the EDF and he knows that. Therefore, if the Tripartite Alliance is able to silence and annihilate the Tigray region. That’s what the alliance wants to achieve.

Alas, the Eritrean government is clearly saying by publishing this on Shabait. That they want it legitimized and recognized. This is the what it is initially saying. While we can wonder how Mekelle is thinking about this. Since, this is taking away territory it had occupied for a few decades now. While the current federal government of Ethiopia might offer it and do it, because Abiy has a good relations with Afewerki. Peace.

United Kingdom: Lord David Wolfson resignation letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson (13.04.2022)

RDC: Force d’Avenir du Congo – Communique No. 09 (12.04.2022)

Nigeria: Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch – Missing Financial Records on teh Treasury Portal Disturbing (13.04.2022)

Ukraine: President Zelensky’s National Address – “48 hours turned into 48 days” – Because of the Ukrainian resistance!

Do you remember how Russia bragged that they would seize Kyiv in 48 hours? Instead, Ukraine has been repelling the enemy for 48 days. Today it is worth remembering. It is worth remembering that the Russian leadership expected to see the parade of occupiers on Khreschatyk a few days after February 24, after the beginning of the invasion. Instead they see orderly ranks of occupiers every day, whom our defenders send to hell. In 48 hours, which stretched for 48 days, the Russian army has reached a level of irreparable losses higher than that of the Soviet Union in 10 years of war in Afghanistan. Higher than that of Russia in the two wars in Chechnya” – President Volodymyr Zelensky (13.04.2022).

The Ukrainian President Zelensky continues to speak of the strength of his army. That is righteous at this point. He is proving that the resilience and will of the Ukrainian forces is beyond what everyone thought. Also, the Russian-Belorussian invasion didn’t go as planned, neither did they get the welcoming parades that Kremlin and Russian media promised their soldiers. The Russians met another type of enemy and they outsmarted them. As the conventional warfare of Russia wasn’t prepared for the will of defence from Ukraine.

That shows that Putin and Kremlin is willing to sacrifice lots of youths on the altar of his ego and the will to get puppets to rule in Ukraine. He wants a puppet and known crook in Kyiv. Instead of having a real representative and someone who is elected by the people of Ukraine. Because that all that Putin wants and his willing to kill the next generation to get that. Putin and his allies is willing to sacrifice the conscripts and soldiers. Just so he can resume the leadership of a Ukrainian oligarch on the throne, which will be loyal to Putin. That is all that matters to Kremlin and the Duma. They don’t value the people of Ukraine or anything else. This is why they are genocidal and using war-crimes to “win”. Since they are not there to win hearts, but incite fear and control of a ones occupied.

Zelensky continues:

Today in Russia it was once again stated that their so-called “special operation” is supposedly going according to the plan. But, to be honest, no one in the world understands how such a plan could even emerge. How could a plan providing for the death of tens of thousands of your own soldiers in a little more than a month of war emerge? Who could approve such a plan? And what is the final level of their own losses acceptable for this person? Dozens or even hundreds of thousands of dead Russians? Obviously, no one in Moscow cares about the number of Ukrainian civilians killed” (Zelensky, 13.04.2022).

Here we see that point, that Kremlin and Russian Federation doesn’t value the Ukrainians. They just want them under their boots and enslave them to their will. That’s the sacrifice of the Russian soldiers and what the Kremlin hopes to achieve. They want Kyiv to be a vassal state of Moscow and the costs of doing so doesn’t matter to Putin. The deaths, the rapes and the destruction of Ukraine doesn’t matter. As long as he gets his will and get someone he can control. Just like he can say or do whatever and he knows Minsk will deliver. That’s the sort of “friendship” and “diplomatic relations” he wants with Kyiv.

Zelensky further says:

Many people like to mock the occupiers, troll their failures, the level of training of their soldiers and the questionable quality of the “latest” Russian equipment, which has been developed over the past 20 years and is inferior to Soviet models. And rightly so. That’s fair. But at the same time, we must understand that not all Russian tanks are stalled in the field. Not all enemy soldiers simply flee the battlefield. And not all of them are conscripts who do not know how to hold weapons properly. This does not mean we should be afraid of them. This means we must not belittle the merits of our soldiers, our army” (Zelensky, 13.04.2022).

The Ukrainian forces has achieved a massive blow to the Russian forces on the front-line. That’s why the Russian had to change strategy and retreat from several of areas, which has in the end also shown the sinister acts of the Russian occupation inside Ukraine. Where they are willing to make mass-graves of civilians, torture and rape them too. There is no bound of the evil deeds and war-crimes committed to takeover territory. Therefore, the Ukrainian doesn’t need to belittle the Russian war-effort, as they are struggling and have bad equipment even. That can be used as an advantage and make easier to overcome them. Since, the Ukrainian forces can use other strategic means to counter this and destroy the Russian enemies, which they have shown time and time again in this conflict.

He ends with:

The future of Ukraine directly depends on the strength of our resistance in all its forms. The future of us all, each of our cities, each of our villages. And I am grateful to everyone who understands this. Who does not stop resisting even when it seems that the result is very far. Because the darkest time is always before dawn” (Zelensky, 13.04.2022).

This is just showing the strength and resolve of the Ukrainian people. Their will and resistance in the midst of horrors. There is no peace and justification of this war. Still, they have to carry the defence and the suffering, which is inflicted on them. The Ukrainian people needs support, the Ukrainian forces needs support and they need it more than ever. They have shown the world what they are capable of and it is a just cause.

Ukraine needs military support and aid more than ever. The European nations needs to understand this. They need to help and give what Kyiv needs. Not just show solidarity, which the West is really good at doing. The Ukrainian government need the West and they shouldn’t forget this. If Ukraine falls… the Russian could easily target other Republic’s too. Peace.

Sudan: Khartoum State Resistance Committees Coordination – Joint press statement (13.04.2022)

In response to the invitation made, a number of Khartoum State Resistance Committees’ coordination with the offices of the US Congress held a session to discuss the political current and determine the role of the international community in supporting the democratic transition.

After welcoming the audience, the resistance committees reviewed the various contexts in eastern Sudan, Darfur and Khartoum, and clarified its position rejecting the military coup, with an emphasis on continuing the movement and peaceful resistance to overthrow the coup.

The meeting also discussed the slogan of the three nos (no negotiation, no partnership, no legitimacy) and the representatives explained the reasons for the loss of confidence in the putschists and the leaders of the military establishment and their permanent violation of covenants and covenants, and that the Sudanese people call for a military institution that respects its mandate limited to protecting the constitution and borders, and that the entire authority is handed over to civilians.

The meeting stressed the importance of transitional justice and activating the principle of accountability for crimes and the impunity in the massacres committed in various parts of Sudan by the Military Council, the attendees stressed that any (an initiative proposed to resolve the Sudanese crisis, must reflect the position of the Sudanese people represented by the three no’s), and not to return to partnership with the military in addition to the visions presented in the written charters of the resistance committees.

Accordingly, we, in the resistance committees, affirm that our battle is still ongoing, and that we will not postpone this battle. “We were destined to be the generation that has the responsibility to end military coups once and for all.”

The signatories:

1/ Coordination of the resistance committees of Hajj Youssef

2/ Marine Biology Committees

3/ Coordination of Umbadah neighborhood committees

4/ Gathering of the neighbourhood committees of Haj Youssef

5 / Central Resistance Committees Dar es Salaam – Embeda

6/ Omdurman South Coordination

7 / Coordination of the forty and the elephant and the supplier and the Ardah

8/ East of the Nile South

9/ Coordination of the resistance committees of the city of Khartoum

Mali: Communique de la Direction Generale de la Police Nationale (13.04.2022)