Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – Call to IGF and UN DESA Leadership and Members to Rescind the Meeting in Ethiopia (17.10.2022)

Ethiopia: The Tripartite Alliance won’t adhere to the AU calls for cessation of hostilities

A surprise to no-one, but the Tripartite Alliance consisting of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Eritrea Defence Force (EDF) and the Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano”. These three will continue the broad-based offensive on the Tigray region, which they started in and around September 2022.

Today’s Press Release from the FDRE Government Communication Service in it’s selective language is dismissing the African Union Peace-Talks and ask for cessation of hostilities. Meaning the current warfare will continue. The FDRE and it’s allies will persist with their destruction, man-made famine and genocide in the Tigray region. The air-strikes, the shelling of towns and such will be a continued effort to undermine and overthrow the elected regional government of Tigray. That’s their message, as the FDRE and the whole Tripartite Alliance are only willing to stop when they have annihilated Tigrayan people, because anyone could be associated or be a part of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

No one should be shocked by this in October 2022. This is the will of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Isaias Afewerki together with their Amhara Allies. Who are wanting to get rid of the Tigray region and by any means.

Afewerki is not only getting a weaker neighbour who is resembling Eritrea. Ethiopia is turning to a state, which reflects Eritrea. Every time the FDRE or the Ethiopian government is questioned. They are retorting in similar veins to what Eritrea has done for years. These two governments are showing their alliance and even copying each other. Just like the diplomatic corps reacted to Ireland is a proof of this. It is a similar way the Shabait has answered to anyone questioning its actions or reporting in general.

So, I am not shocked that the Tripartite Alliance is not stopping their actions or warfare in Tigray. They will a moment later play to the general public and international community that they are invested and partaking in the AU Peace-Talks. While they are bombing public markets, civilian targets and openly destroying a region. We are to believe a Tripartite Alliance who does that really are “invested” in peace-talks. The same Tripartite Alliance that has vilified and projected all it’s actions towards the Tigray Defence Force (TDF).

I don’t believe that EDF want to leave the Tigray territories. Just by the recent news of leaflets dropped across the Tigray region, where the Tripartite Alliance promised to destroy the region and annihilate it. That everyone should just disassociate itself with the TPLF and let them invade the region, yet again.

We saw what the EDF and Fano did last time around. There was countless of massacres, war-crimes committed and historical sites destroyed. That’s all been done in the name of “law enforcement” and about “sovereignty”. Which is very ironic, when a foreign nation is invading Tigray and the Federal Republic is violating their own citizens on the regular. They are not coming in peace, but in war. The latest statement just proves that the AU process is just hogwash and never was sincere.

The latest unilateral cease-fire was only made to re-group and re-structure for a new offensive. That’s what we have seen and humanitarian organizations haven’t been able to help the region either. The FDRE will not suddenly help it after conquering it either. Not like the Tripartite Alliance did that after the invasion in November 2020. So, after two years it’s hard to believe they will do it now.

The latest statement is a smokescreen and a way of creating headlines. Instead of getting people to see the videos and the statements of the realities within Tigray. Like there is lacking medicines and a man-made famine. Therefore, whatever that comes in is a help, but it seems a little to late and it was obviously planned effort. Just like the two years of media blackout, and no direct internet access either. The whole system and protocol has been directed by the leaders of Asmara and Addis Ababa.

Everyone should look at and follow the actions. There will be more bloodshed and the warfare will be prolonged. Because, their mission isn’t to “win” but to annihilate. That’s a big difference and it should be recognized. This is the manner of which the Tripartite Alliance is operating. Be warned and be aware. It will not end in peace, but they will only continue the war until Tigray is totally destroyed. Peace.

Ethiopia: FDRE Government Communication Services – Statement Concerning Defensive Measures in Northern Ethiopia (17.10.2022)

Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – The World Food Day 2022’s ‘Leave No One Behind’ Rhetoric Failed the People of Tigray Suffering from Medieval Siege and a Man-Made Famine (16.10.2022)

Sudan: OCHA – Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan on relocation of IDPs in White Nile State (12.10.2022)

South Sudan: OCHA – Flash update on developments in Kodok, Upper Nile (As of 11 October 2022)

Ethiopia: Did the Fact Check forget about Article 52 when addressing the State of Tigray?

Friends of Ethiopia or those that claim to respect the “Sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitution” of Ethiopia should refrain from using illegal terms in the upcoming peace talks to resolve conflict in Ethiopia’s restive north. Expressions such as “Government of” or “State of Tigray”, “Tigray External Service” are not just mere mistakes, but do threaten the sovereignty of Ethiopia and need to be fact-checked. In light of these peace talks, our friends and allies should remember that the two parties are fundamentally different: one a democratically elected, legitimate government and the other, the TPLF armed group. Likewise, expressions such as “Tigray Administration” or “Regional Government of Tigray” are unacceptable because there is no entity in the Tigray region that has been elected in accordance with the Ethiopian constitution. Any attempt to state that the peace talks is between the Federal government and the “Region of Tigray” is not only unacceptable but also violates national sovereignty as well as rules-based international order” (Ethiopia Current Issues Fact Check, 07.10.2022).

The months and months upon end with humanitarian blockade, the warfare and continues conflict is only hurting Northern Ethiopia. The “Law Enforcement Operation” was supposed to be a brief and quick conflict to annihilate the leadership and leaders who defied the Prosperity Party in Mekelle. However, we know that the PP and the PDFJ haven’t been able to get rid of the TPLF for good.

That’s why the Federal Government’s own Ethiopia Current Issues Fact Check, which seems to be a part of the FDRE Government Communication Services have now disregarded and downplayed the Regional State Government of Tigray. It just wants it to be silenced and not supposed to utter itself. Neither is it supposed to operate or work within it’s means.

Nevertheless, the Article 52 of the Constitution gives some stipulations, which is relevant in the matter. Especially, when the FDRE Ethiopia Current Issues Fact Check is publishing such text.

Just read it here:

Article 52. Powers and Functions of States

1. All powers not given expressly to the Federal Government alone, or concurrently to the Federal Government and the States are reserved to the States.

2. Consistent with sub-Article 1 of this article, states shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) To establish a State administration that best advances self-government, a democratic order based on the rule of law; to protect and defend the Federal Constitution;

(b) To enact and execute the State constitution and other laws;

(c) To formulate and execute economic, social and development policies, strategies and plans of State;

(d) to administer land and other natural resources in accordance with Federal Laws;

(e) To levy and collect taxes and duties on revenue sources reserved to the States and to draw up and administer the State budget;

(f) To enact and enforce laws on the State civil service and their condition of work; in the implementation of this responsibility it shall ensure that educational training and experience requirements for any job, title or position approximate national standards;

(g) To establish and administer a state police force, and to maintain public order and peace within the State;” (Ethiopian Constitution).

We know that the House of Federation didn’t accept the recent local elections in the Tigray region. The September 2020 elections we know was contested, but the only elections that was held within the stipulated time in the Constitution and not like the Elections that later “elected” the majority of the Prosperity Party. This is why the House of Federation even had an unconstitutional year before the polls itself. So, when the FDRE own government communication comes with these sorts of texts. They should look into own grievances before touching the Regional State of Tigray. That’s because of how it has operated and blocked it, even with the non-funding and blocking aide before the November 2020. Therefore, the regime in Addis Ababa had for a long time sort of ceased to work with Mekelle. That has been reported too and the Regional State had to work on their own accordingly.

That’s why when the Fact Check dismisses “Regional Government of Tigray” and “Tigray Administration” wouldn’t that mean any other state cannot use those words either? Wouldn’t that mean by definition that any other state that is created in the federation isn’t eligible for this? It cannot only be Tigray, but this has to be for the Somali, Oromia, Amhara or Afar for that matter.

Because everyone who follows knows that for instance the Amhara itself on official publications uses the “Amhara National Regional State” and I have hard to spot the different to “Regional Government of Tigray”. The Tigray Government did only last year use the “Government of National State of Tigray” which is similar to the Amhara. Therefore, these semantics only shows what the dismissal is all about. It is the hatred for the TPLF and it’s so obvious. This is really child’s play to see…

In article 52 it says: “2. Consistent with sub-Article 1 of this article, states shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) To establish a State administration that best advances self-government, a democratic order based on the rule of law; to protect and defend the Federal Constitution” (Ethiopian Constitution).

This here is key, it says State administration, administration is another word for government. Also not only that, but an administration that “best advances self-government” and this gives the State Government of Tigray to rebrand itself to it see fit within the parameters of the Constitution. The Regional State Government can call itself the “Tigray Government” or “Tigray State Administration” as long as it serves within the articles of the Constitution. That is legit and legal entity, as each Regional State should have a “State administration that best advances self-government”. Unless, the Prosperity Party has revised this or amended this part of the Constitution. I have a hard time to understand the issues of the “Fact Check” had with the “Regional Government of Tigray”. It is just following the law and delivering the “best advances of self-government”. Is this to much to grasp for the rulers in Addis Ababa? Or have the scholars of Addis Ababa totally forgotten this vital part of the Constitution?

It think you get my point by now. The hatred and the patronizing affairs is just tiring. Especially, when I have to spell out basics like this. Peace.

Ethiopia: Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) – ONLF Statement on Drought Response (06.10.2022)

Ethiopia: Government of Tigray – External Affairs Office – Statement on the African Union’s Invitation for Peace Talks (05.10.2022)

Ethiopia: Tigray Inter-Religious Council – Open Letter from Tigray Inter – Religious Council (05.10.2022)