
Today, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Government Communication Service published a statement with the headline: “Terrorist TPLF And Its Puppets Being Encircled By Joint Forces”. You cannot make these things up, but that is where we are on the 4th November 2021. They are publishing this sort of text on the anniversary of the attacks on the Northern Command. It just shows what sort of horrific enterprise the war has become to the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF).
Early in the statement it says this: “Ethiopians from all corners of the country are heading to the war front. Ethiopians who love their country are joining the struggle in droves with a winning mentality, heroism and determination. The desert lions – young Afar warriors and special forces– in coordination with the National Defence Forces have been meting out heavy punishment on the enemy that has tried to invade their region. The people are united behind and supporting the efforts of the National Defence Forces to defeat the enemy in all fronts” (FDRE Government Communication Service, 04.11.2021).
We know the Federal Government have called to arms and promised to bury the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This has been the “war-cry” of the Prime Minister and everyone else. All the loyalists and Amhara high-ranking officials have said everyone should participate in the war-effort. The youth are supposed to register and enlist into war. The state have started to register all weapons and said all able bodies should go to the front.
As it continues: “TPLF and its puppets are being encircled by our forces. As the saying goes; “a rat that strays far from its hole is nearer to its death”. The state of emergency declaration have galvanized the people and all state organs to make sure that will be the fate of TPLF. The false propaganda, the Ethiopian government has used famine as an instrument of war, that the TPLF has been using to deceive the international community has been proven false by an independent and international investigation” (FDRE Government Communication Service, 04.11.2021).
Well, the FDRE and the ENDF have to sound mighty. They have to act like it is in control and have the full advantage. However, if everything was under control. The FDRE wouldn’t have issued a National State of Emergency and asked for all eligible to join the front. It would have reassured the citizens and let them do their daily duties. Alas, that is not the case and the situation is much more grim. Because, no sane person will issue “martial law” and call it a holy-day. Neither will it issue a martial law and act like you have all control. If the state had everything under control it wouldn’t need those measures and stipulations in the first place. That is just a mere fact that the stare and it’s team is forgetting here.
Secondly, if they are in hole and such. Why aren’t the ENDF and all of its all powerful allies able to block it? Why are they able to advance and cause more damage to the troops? It calls things false propaganda when the report is flawed at best and lacks proper investigations into the matter. As the JIT was blocked from access and the EHRC wasn’t helping it either. The FDRE wasn’t transparent and neither was all the actors on the front-line. Therefore, to say it’s all propaganda is a lie, but coming from the FDRE must be a token of respect. Since the PM is a well known liar and a deceiver. This is why it isn’t shocking that they deem others as “fake news”.
It continues: “But those that were busy working hand in hand with the enemy in propagating its false narrative are doubling down their efforts in spreading rumours and lies in their effort to save the enemy from the popular wave that is speeding up its demise. Their goal is to spread misinformation and fear in order to erode the trust between the people and the leadership. Organizations like Facebook that has been used to spread violence now has shown its true colours by deleting our Prime Minister’s message” (FDRE Government Communication Services, 04.11.2021).
What is striking here is the sentiment. We know the FDRE and its bodies have blocked, silenced and had a war against all information leaking about this war. The state have tarnished and suspended several of international media outlets. Before the State of Emergency, the state even issued orders of blocking all international media content on broadcasting companies within the Republic. Therefore, we know the Ethiopian authorities doesn’t appropriate or have the patience with foreign coverage of the conflict. They want their own narrative and nothing else. This why everything that doesn’t fit the narrative composed by the PM or his handlers is “lies and propaganda”. While what his ministries and entities are producing is propaganda, as it is unsubstantiated claims and without evidence, but with a clear bias to uphold one party interest. Therefore, they cannot accept Facebook’s own action to take down the PM’s message, as they deemed it inciting violence and breach of “terms of service”. That is the sort of thing the FDRE does and they act like victim, which it isn’t and anyone else would get the same treatment by the social media company.
The statement continues: “Their supporters in the NGO community are campaigning to have their schools closed by fabricating a non-existing security risk. They spread unfounded rumours that leaders in the government are applying for visas. Breaking all diplomatic norm, they are agitating for their diplomats to be called home under the false claim that Addis Ababa is surrounded.= by the enemy. All this is coordinated with the aim of creating suspicion and doubt with in the public and the defence forces” (FDRE Government Communication Services, 04.11.2021).
The FDRE should understand the NGOs, the diplomatic corps and their messages to their citizens inside the Republic. This will undermine and show the lack of control, which the FDRE will not take accountability for, as this means it would state it’s losses and lack of territorial integrity. We can understand that a arrogant and blatant war-lord of Abiy’s calibre wouldn’t state this. That means he would be humble and show humility. No, that’s not his kind and his FDRE cannot be honest about the growing issues and security risks. Since, the ENDF and it’s allies has lost territories and lost on the front-lines. If the ENDF was as strong as it was when the war stated last year. Than the state wouldn’t issue a State of Emergency. This just proves the diplomatic corps are right to leave or flee, send warnings and it’s done to secure the citizens of the envoys in the Republic. That should the FDRE understand, but it is butt-hurt by the security warnings instead.
The Government Communication Services continues: “The government wants to warn these parties that are busy with activities that are aimed at destroying the nation, to cease and desist from their destructive behaviour. This cannot be taken lightly since it is an existential national security threat. The government will not hesitate to take appropriate action on those who refuse to refrain from these actions immediately. Our people, realizing that we are in the final chapter of saving Ethiopia, should continue their heroic struggle. Our unity is the only guarantee for our survival. Therefore, we should ignore these falsehoods and evil narratives of our enemies and continue to work together for the salvation of our beloved country” (FDRE Government Communication Services, 04.11.2021).
What is funny is that this comes after the same Republic says the diplomatic corps are sending out bad warnings and creating suspicion about the ENDF. While the same FDRE is saying this is now an existential national security threat, but the others shouldn’t create any suspicion. The FDRE cannot have it both ways and this is their survival campaign, which is a national security threat. That’s why the international community and diplomatic missions are trying to send their people into safety. The FDRE is even selling the same message, but isn’t saying it directly.
It ends with: “The government asks all Ethiopians, friends of Ethiopia and media in friendly countries to report accurate information at the appropriate time to our people. We all need to stand together and write an eternal golden history to silence our enemies that are drunk with temporary victories. Standing together, we will repel the designs of our historical enemies. For us, Ethiopians, dying for our sovereignty, unity and identity, is an honour. There is no Ethiopianness without sacrifice” ((FDRE Government Communication Services, 04.11.2021).
The FDRE wants their narrative and nothing else. We are supposed to feed of their hands and take it all as truth. Like we are some naive fools and idiots who cannot read through the lines. That is the sort of followers and cult the Prime Minister has made for himself. This is why he wants the same for everyone else.
We are supposed to believe that this is a small victory after the ‘final’ offensive in October. It clear that ENDF isn’t that great when everyone is asked to enlist and join the front. That is not the message of greatness. Time will tell and this was a real propaganda piece. Peace.













