Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Press Release on Ethiopia’s MFA Statement on the U.S. Government sanctions imposed on the Eritrean Government (14.11.2021)

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – On the Amnesty International Reports since November 2020: Methodological Problems (11.11.2021)

Ethiopia: TPLF’s stern warning that they will hold the government responsible for the genocide in the Tigray region

Today, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have released a Press Release/Statement translated to: “Tigray government says it will not be held accountable for any action taken by the people of Genocide”. This statement is a stern warning to the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister. That the TPLF will take account of the actions made towards the Tigray Region. The ones responsible will be held accountable and pay their dues for the damage done. That is showing what they are wanting to do when the civil-war is over.

The TPLF isn’t giving any way and telling it as it is. Maybe that’s what is needed. Yes, the TPLF have their crimes of the past, but that should be investigated too. While the PP and the PM should answer for what they done in office too. Therefore, the ones calling TPLF terrorists and such. Should look clearly at the results of the “Law Enforcement Operation” and the humanitarian blockade for months towards the Tigray Region. The weaponizing of humanitarian assistance and creating a famine. This should all be answered in combination of arresting people for being one ethnic group and being associated with it. Because, that is what the state does and the ones ordering this should be investigated. That is needed to heal and also to reconciliation in the Republic.

It begins with:

It has been three and a half years since the brutal genocide of the people of Tigray by the fascist Abi Ahmed group, which has carried out and continues to commit atrocities against the people of Tigray. For the past three-and-a-half years, the Fascist Abyssinian group has shut down all of Ethiopia’s entrances and entrances and handed over many of the country’s institutions to foreign powers. Defense, security, etc” (Tigray People’s Liberation Front, 11.11.2021).

Here we see the TPLF going on a rampage. We know the Federal Government have blocked financial support and aid programs to the Tigray region ahead of the “Operation Law Enforcement”. We all know there was commandos ordered to assassin the leadership of the TPLF in 2018. Therefore, the Prosperity Party had planned this, but wasn’t able to pull it off.

It continues:

He should be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for being a direct participant in the genocide perpetrated by the people of Tigray. Therefore, the foreign invaders and forces that have directly infiltrated the country through leadership, consulting and executions in defense, security and security institutions, as well as the one-year-old military invasion of Tigray and the genocide that has taken place in the country. The Tigray government strongly urges you to refrain from evil deeds and to leave the country” (Tigray People’s Liberation Front, 11.11.2021).

Here there is a need to contest, prove and show the evidence, which is fitted for the ICC. Yes, anyone who orders and participate in a genocide should be charged, indicted and be detained for the time the Courts see fit. That is needed and everyone with some sense would agree in that. The TPLF states about the Foreign Invaders and the ones that means is the Eritrean Defence Force (EDF). They are warning the Eritrean government and the EDF, because they participated. There been also hired military exporters and military equipment specialists who has participated in this war. As the ENDF have operated new drones and such. This had to imported and the ENDF need specialists telling how it works. Therefore, the TPLF warns these people… and want them gone. That is not strange, as the TPLF and the Tigray region have been the region who was hurt the most in this war. This was deliberate and their retaliation is natural in this sense.

Last words:

Finally, the Tigray government strongly urges the countries that deployed your fascists to refrain from their actions and repatriate them. Otherwise, the Tigray government and army will be held accountable by the international community and all stakeholders” (Tigray People’s Liberation Front, 11.11.2021).

The last is really saying the foreign invaders and Eritrean forces is asked to leave. If not the TPLF and the Tigray Defence Force has to violently let them leave the region. That is the message here. Yes, this is a message of death, but that is what the EDF and their allies has served in the Western Tigray as well. They just want to return their territory and control of it. While they know the EDF and allies has been genocidal and they want them gone. This is a war-cry and that is clear, but do they expect the genocidal forces to leave their weapons and just flee? No, I expect this to be a continued conflict, as long as the EDF and allies keeps their annexed territory.

The TPLF might seem violent here, but they have been violated by the invaders in the Tigray region. So, it is not like they we’re met with rainbows and friendly kisses. No, they were raped, killed and sent into refugee camps in Sudan. Therefore, we should expect either more pain or suffering. Since none of the parties will mediate or negotiate to gain peace. That is natural too, as everyone will loose face.

There is a need for healing, but the hurt party is organically wants to retaliate … and the TPLF has decided this. However, they are using these words, as an expression of anger and wanting this genocide to end. That is also reasonable, because the Tigray region and parts of it still violated. While they are advancing towards to Addis Ababa. The PM and PP needs to rethink they strategy now. Since, there will little wiggle room to redeem itself, if the TDF-OLA wins the war. At that point, the PP and PM will have to answer to TPLF and their allies. That is something … that most likely will come and the allies of the PM should be prepared for a hectic future. Peace.

Opinion: Abiy don’t want any friends…

Well, when you are in the trenches and gets abounded by everyone. You can either try to reach people with an olive branch and bring hope to the table. If not you can shoot- or go all offensive. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the Prosperity Party decided to go out swinging. They have decided to use their authority and massively undermine the few allies they have.

Yes, diplomatic missions have evacuated their staff and non-essential staff from Addis Ababa. This has been everyone from Israel, United Kingdom, United States of America and also other Western powers well. The only African state who has done this and announced their departure from Addis was Zambia today. Therefore, plenty of diplomatic staff and envoys has now left Ethiopia temporary.

As the missions have emptied their staff. There is now reports of six released United Nation’s personnel and another 16 UN personnel are still detained by the authorities. This is a clear message of the state. To arrest UN staff and personnel shows how low his willing to sink his government.

The government is already in a violent and vicious war, which the PM and his army will answer to later. The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) have used horrific means and been parts of serious atrocities. The state together with Amhara allies and Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) have used massacres and besieged the Tigray region. Therefore, lives doesn’t matter to this administration and only keeping power matters.

Abiy is a bloodthirsty leader and he has no scruples. He can bomb, use drone and attack civilian targets to get his will done. The Prime Minister just shows how far the government goes to get his way.

That Abiy arrests UN Personnel isn’t shocking. This state has done this to any sort of dissident and people who are independent of the government. The PM expects people just to follow him and be his “yes-men”. Abiy has arrested opposition or killed them. That is what he does… and been doing. The leadership of Oromo and elsewhere has seen that. The war waged at TPLF is just one out of plenty. Against the ones who are defiant to the Prosperity Party and the Federal Government. Therefore, Abiy has shown his “reformist” side.

Abiy is clearly not getting more friends or allies by arresting UN Personnel. Instead, people are seeing his vicious side and it gets exposed for it. Not only arresting Tigrayan civilians because of their ethnicity. Therefore, Abiy has shown his heart or lack thereof. Now, it is just amplified for the world to see. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – Stong Condemnation and Call to Stop Extrajudicial killings and Mass Arrests of Tigray Scholars/Professionals in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia (09.11.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – The Government of Abiy Ahmed Must Stop the Harassment, Mass Arrest and Detention of Oromos and Targeting Civilian Structure (09.11.2021)

Ethiopia: A Joint Press Release by Salsay Weyane Tigray (SaWeT), National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytona) and Tigray Independence Party (TIP) regarding the joint report by EHRC and OHCHR (08.11.2021)

Ethiopia: The PM’s message of cleaning the “leaves”

The last one is the hardest part where the baby is born. This is a challenging time where heroes are born. The children of Ethiopia have risen from end to the other. The trials strengthened us. Our challengers have shown us other ways. We have twice as many friends who have turned their back on us. Gathering of leaves doesn’t make them clean. Gathering of the wild leaves is keeping the forest invisible. There is a sacrifice to be paid. But that sacrifice will save Ethiopia and put it on the rock” (Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, 06.11.2021).

Prime Minister Abiy is clearly speaking in riddles, as he wants to clean the leaves. We know this is in association with Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Tigrayan people. The state is already addressing this and mass-arresting this ethnic group. The authorities are going after and targeting the Tigrayan people. While calling all eligible people to the front and joining the army.

The Prime Minister is clearly sowing distrust and wanting to empty forest of the leaves. He wants a total war and nothing left to chance. The PM wants to annihilate and avenge the lost in the war. The Head of State is following a pattern and vilifies one group, as he wants to get rid of this. That is not only ethnic cleansing, but genocide. This is what he wants done and his statements says so.

There has already been several of high ranking officials who has stood for similar messages. They have said similar things and wanting to get rid of all enemies. Therefore, the international community should understand this and when the PM has this idea. Don’t expect him to care about humanitarian assistance and the starvation happening in the Tigray region. The same state has no issues with civilian dying in the air-strikes in the republic. They are willing to kill Tigrayan to prove a point. So, we know there is no middle-ground and concern for the lives at stake. The state has created a famine and isn’t willing to help the convoys to enter or operate within the Tigray region. So, he clearly cleans the leaves as we speak…

The PM message should be amplified,as this message is disgusting and destructive. It is a dangerous sentiment and shouldn’t be put in the whirlwind. Since, the PM is spreading these words and willing to say so. This man can say anything for his own benefit and bury others. That is what the PM does and now his trying to reinforce it.

The ones defending the PM here is in the wrong, unless they want to be “génocidaires” and people who participate in it. They want to support this and the willingness to vilify a whole group. That is like targeting someone for their appearance or religion and not their acts. Yes, the TPLF can be assessed on its past and also for their crimes in office. Just like anyone else, however, the PM isn’t doing that here.

He wants the forest cleaned of leaves… that is the sacrifice of the children of the Republic. This is what he does and it’s despicable. The world should recognize this… and not take this into account. As the PM and his government is doing this. They are using the National State of Emergency not only sending untrained civilians into battle, but they are using this time to arrest Tigrayan citizens as well. Therefore, expect more damage and more pain. More lives taken and a more destruction as the people are caught in the cross-fire and the PM is causing more harm than ever before. Peace.

Ethiopia: Regonal Network on Peace and Stability (RENOPS) – Civil Society group urges African Union and government in the region to immediately appoint a mediation team to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ethiopia (05.11.2021)

Ethiopia: Yesterdays OCHA report on the Conflict is damning…

Another week or another month and OCHA is dropping updates on the humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia. This is the story from the OCHA Situation Report of 4th November 2021. We know the Prime Minister Abiy has trouble with “wheat aid” and doesn’t trust “NGOs”. Therefore, the ratio and the damage his government does is huge. The lives are at stake and his government continues the blockade of humanitarian assistance to the Tigray region. There is no hold on the tragic situation that isn’t becoming anything better with every day that goes by.

Highlights of the report of 4th November 2021:

“The restrictions imposed on the delivery of humanitarian supplies into Tigray via the only route through Afar (Semera-Abala-Mekelle) is still in place. Since 18 October, no convoy movement of trucks with humanitarian supplies have moved into Tigray.  Some369 trucks are on hold in Semera, pending authorization from the authorities to proceed. Overall, 1,114 or 15 per cent of the trucks needed have entered the region since 12 July. An estimated 100 trucks with food, non-food items, and fuel must enter Tigray daily to meet critical humanitarian needs. Similarly, fuel needed for the humanitarian response has not entered Tigray since early August. Sixteen fuel tankers (45,000 liters/each) in Semera are waiting for permission to move. Only 12 trucks of fuel (approximately 282,000 liters) entered the region since 12 July. This is enough to carry out humanitarian operations for one week only.” (OCHA, 04.11.2021).

“The movement of humanitarian workers in and out of Tigray via Afar road, and since the suspension of UNHAS flights on 22 October, has been restricted. On 29 and 31 October, 14 humanitarian workers travelling from Semera to Mekelle were denied transit at the Serdo checkpoint where further authorization letters and permissions were asked for. The movement of humanitarian workers within Amhara and Afar regions has also been restricted. The suspension of UNHAS flights also affected the availability of cash required to maintain humanitarian operations. Cash was last transported to the region on 16 October. The humanitarian situation in Afar and Amhara regions is rapidly deteriorating as conflict expands in multiple locations.In Amhara, intensive fighting and hostilities in and around Dessie and Kombolcha in South Wello Zone on 30-31 October resulting in increased humanitarian needs with large number of IDPs reportedly moving towards Kemissie and Ataye. Dessie and Kombolcha were already hosting a large number of IDPs from nearby Habru and Kutaber Woredas. Regional authorities reported that the vast majority of displaced people are living with the host community, while the remaining are living in crowded collective centers, including schools. Armed clashes also reported in several areas in North Gonder, Waghimra, and North Wello zones” (OCHA, 04.11.2021).

“Gaps: (all clusters)

  • Lack of humanitarian supplies entering Tigray, including food and medicines due to bureaucratic impediments and limited access via the only route (Semera-Abala-Mekelle corridor).
  • Restricted movement of humanitarian workers in and out of Tigray due to bureaucratic impediments, and within Amhara and Afar in part due to the fluid security situation.
  • Lack of fuel in Tigray to transport supplies, distribute food, water and other life-saving assistance, relocate displaced people from schools, and improve IDP sites, forcing partners to halt or significantly reduce operations.
  • Lack of cash in Tigray to pay salaries for staff, including teachers, health workers, and contractors, and to implement humanitarian programs.
  • Limited access to some areas due to ongoing fighting and insecurity. Low funding amidst the huge number of IDPs in Northern Ethiopia and mounting needs.
  • Lack of electricity and telecommunications in Tigray and parts of Amhara and Afar causing delay or lack of reporting and information on the situation.
  • Limited presence of partners in some areas of Northern Ethiopia, and limited coordination capacity among existing partners.
  • Lack of land, and construction materials in the local market, to construct alternative shelters for IDPs.
  • Lack of commercial commodities in the private market in Tigray and Amhara leading to price increases.
  • Insufficient GBV case management and mental health and psychosocial support services and lack of child protection services in some areas.
  • Insufficient storage capacity and transportation of commodities in Amhara.
  • Lack of equipment, sprayers, pesticides to effectively control Desert Locust infestation and other agricultural diseases” (OCHA, 04.11.2021).

Yes, we know the FDRE government is on overdrive using the JIT Report to say it isn’t weaponizing starvation or blocking humanitarian assistance. However, this report and all the others over the 1-year conflict proves the current affairs. The man-made famine and the starvation, which is made with intent. As the state have blocked access and ensured the humanitarian assistance cannot reach the people in dire need. That hasn’t changed and the state is continuing to ensure the people are suffering with a vengeance. This is very clear and it’s tragic, but the FDRE isn’t wiling to show some heart and affection for its own. They are taking away lives and making unbearable.

This is the result of Abiy and his “yes-men”. They have made this result and should be held accountable for these actions, which have cost lives and will continue to cost more deaths. That is the reality here and it’s horrific that things have turned this way. Peace.