Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on South Africa’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (25.10.2016)

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The Secretary-General believes that the International Criminal Court is central to global efforts to end impunity and prevent conflict.

NEW YORK, United States of America, October 25, 2016 – The Secretary-General regrets the decision of the South African Government to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. He recalls the significant role played by South Africa in the establishment of the International Criminal Court, including as one of the first signatories of the Rome Statute. He hopes South Africa will reconsider its decision before its withdrawal takes effect.

The Secretary-General believes that the International Criminal Court is central to global efforts to end impunity and prevent conflict. He is confident that Member States will continue to further strengthen the Court, thus helping deter future atrocities across the globe. He also hopes that States that may have concerns regarding the functioning of the Court seek to resolve these matters in the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute.

Canada deeply troubled by South Africa’s announcement‎ to withdraw from International Criminal Court (24.10.2016)

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OTTAWA, Canada, October 24, 2016 – The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada is deeply troubled by South Africa’s announcement that it has submitted a notice of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court to the United Nations Secretary-General.

South Africa played an important role in the development of the court, and we recognize its past efforts to end impunity for the most serious international crimes. We also remember the words of Nelson Mandela in 1998, when South Africa joined the court:

Our own continent has suffered enough horrors emanating from the inhumanity of human beings towards human beings. Who knows, many of these might not have occurred, or at least been minimized, had there been an effectively functioning International Criminal Court.

All victims, including African victims, have a right to justice. The ongoing contributions of African states in support of the court are invaluable to make this justice a reality.

That steadfast support is more important than ever today; we urge South Africa to reconsider. The International Criminal Court cannot be abandoned because it may not be perfect. Our answer must rather be to improve and strengthen it.

We must not forget the thousands of children, women and men who have been victims of unimaginable atrocities and for whom the International Criminal Court, as a court of last resort, offers the only hope of justice.”

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on South Africa and Burundi and the International Criminal Court (24.10.2016)

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The EU and its Member States remain staunch supporters of the ICC and are committed to full co-operation on the prevention of serious crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the Court.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, October 24, 2016 – The European Union deeply regrets the Republic of South Africa’s decision to initiate its withdrawal from the Rome Statute. We equally note with deep concern that Burundi has formalised steps to withdraw from the Rome Statute. Until now, no State has ever withdrawn from the Rome Statute. 

South Africa played a significant role in the establishment of the ICC and was one of the first signatories of the Rome Statue. We will continue to engage with both countries on how they can remain partners to the Rome Statute.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a key institution to assist citizens achieve justice when confronted with the most serious crimes, where this is not possible at the national level. A majority of African situations were submitted by the national authorities concerned. The Court is also involved in situations all over the world.

We all have a shared interest in strengthening the rule of law and working together with the ICC, including along the lines suggested by the President of the Rome Statute’s Assembly of States Parties.

The EU and its Member States remain staunch supporters of the ICC and are committed to full co-operation on the prevention of serious crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the Court. Where concerns are raised within the framework of the Rome Statute, we remain open for constructive discussion.

Opinion: My 2 Cents on why the African Nations leave the ICC or want to!

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“A founding signatory of the Rome Statute, on ICC: Yes we should be out of the ICC. ICC is not serious. It is partisan. There are so many people who should have been tried if they were serious. The way to go is to have our own African Criminal Court. Trying to work with ICC was a mistake” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni [at the Second #UGDebate on the 13th February 2016]

As Washington is shocked by the recent events, that the International Criminal Court which is stationed in The Hague and the Netherlands; where they ironically are closing down prisons because of lacks of criminals. The International Community and the African Nations are triggering the Article 127 of the Rome Statute of 1997 to Withdraw from the honourable justice chambers of this so-called earth. There is certain reflections and vivid reasons for why this is happing. And I will try to sort it out, the Westerns and Europeans, even some Americans might be offend, but still carry it and take it for what it is.

“In June 2009, Comoros, Djibouti, and Senegal called on African States Parties to withdraw en mass from the Statute in protest against allegations that the ICC was targeting Africans. This declaration was specifically in reference to Sudanese Pres. Omar al-Bashir’s indictment” (Mbaku, Weber State University).

The ICC is not a pre-historic relic of the European Colonial past, still the actions of is of a seemingly imperialistic affair where the smaller newer nations and less resourceful have been targeted at much higher extent than the ones of more sophisticated countries who are not former colonialized. That is a fact and not NRM fiction. Just a certainty that the further hurt the African sovereign nations that they even has Executives under the microscope for their actions while Tony Blair and George W. Bush walks around like Kings on this earth. It’s not like the powers to be, touches the big-men from there, but around the corner they get taken away quicker than ice-cream on a hot-summer-day.

Not that the men and woman who has been questioned and been under investigations has been involved in crimes and activity against the humanity. They have and many using child-soldiers, used ethnicity to win power and even some killings to the level of genocide.

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“Article 127

Withdrawal

  1. A State Party may, by written notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the

United Nations, withdraw from this Statute. The withdrawal shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification, unless the notification specifies a later date.

  1. A State shall not be discharged, by reason of its withdrawal, from the obligations arising from this Statute while it was a Party to the Statute, including any financial obligations which may have accrued. Its withdrawal shall not affect any cooperation with the Court in connection with criminal investigations and proceedings in relation to which the withdrawing State had a duty to cooperate and which were commenced prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective, nor shall it prejudice in any way the continued consideration of any matter which was already under consideration by the Court prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective” (ICC, P: 74, 2011).

Burundi withdraws:

“President Pierre Nkurunziza, who critics accuse of human rights abuses, signed a decree late on Tuesday that paves the way for his east African nation’s departure from the court. His decision comes at time when the ICC is conducting a preliminary investigation into politically motivated violence in Burundi in which several hundred people died” (Alionby, 2016).

South Africa withdraws:

“Under the Rome Statute, the 2002 treaty that established the court, countries are obligated to arrest anyone sought by the tribunal. “Legal uncertainty” around the statute blocks South Africa from resolving conflicts through dialogue, including inviting adversaries for visits, Justice Minister Michael Masutha said, and handing over a foreign leader to the court would have amounted to an infringement of South Africa’s sovereignty” (…) “The Rome Statute “is in conflict and inconsistent with” South Africa’s law giving sitting leaders diplomatic immunity, Mr. Masutha said at a news conference on Friday. The question is before the country’s high court” (…) “Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane this week formally notified the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, of South Africa’s intention to withdraw from the international court. Leaving the body would take about a year, during which South Africa would still have to cooperate with the court’s proceedings”  (Chan & Marlise, 2016).

This is happening while the ICC has asked for Nations who has signed up for the Rome Statute and the ICC. This has been South Africa, Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya. The Non-compliance documents of Djibouti and Uganda has even come in 11th July 2016. The Arrest Warrant on President Omar Al-Bashir we’re set on 4th March 2009. There has gone 7 years has passed and his still roaming around with countries willingly delivering “non-compliance” documentations to the ICC for their non-cooperation towards them.

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There are more running cases on the continent… some of them are:

The ICC Prosecutor has opened cases against 26 individuals in connection with five African countries. Twenty-five of these remain open; the 26th, against Darfur rebel leader Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, was dismissed by judges, though the prosecutor may attempt to submit new evidence in an attempt to re-open it. The cases stem from investigations into violence in Libya, Kenya’s post-election unrest in 2007-2008, rebellion and counter-insurgency in the Darfur region of Sudan, the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency in central Africa, civil conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and a 2002-2003 conflict in the Central African Republic. The Prosecutor is also examining 2010-2011 violence in Côte d’Ivoire, a 2009 military crackdown on opposition supporters in Guinea, and inter-communal violence in central Nigeria, but has not opened formal investigations or opened cases with regard to these situations. Uganda, DRC, CAR, Kenya, Nigeria, and Guinea are states parties to the ICC. Sudan, Libya, and Côte d’Ivoire are not. ICC jurisdiction in Sudan and Libya stems from U.N. Security Council actions, while jurisdiction in Côte d’Ivoire was granted by virtue of a declaration submitted by the Ivorian Government on October 1, 2003, which accepted the jurisdiction of the Court as of September 19, 2002.25 Five suspects—four Congolese nationals and one Rwandan—are currently in ICC custody. The ICC Prosecutor has sought summonses, rather than arrest warrants, in connection with attempted prosecutions of Darfur rebel commanders and of Kenyan suspects. The Prosecutor has not secured any convictions to date” (Congressional Reaserch Service, 2011).

The Kenyan case we’re like the Prosecutor said wasn’t done, but for now there wasn’t able to follow through on evidence and make a case worth living. That is me translating the jurors lingo. The IGAD communique on the 6th April 2016: “The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) joins Kenyans of all walks of life to rejoice the collapse of cases against the Deputy President, H.E. William Samoei Ruto and his co-accused, radio journalist, Joshua Arap Sang at the International Criminal Court in The Hague yesterday” (…) “It would be recalled that IGAD had condemned the way the ICC had handled the Kenyan cases from the beginning. During a press conference held in Nairobi on 22nd March 2011, Amb Mahboub stated clearly IGAD’s position on the deferral request of the ICC cases by Kenya pointing out that the trials would “weaken the country and weaken the region” (IGAD, 06.04.2016).

The Kenyan government President Kenyatta the day before on the 5th April 2016:

“Earlier today, Trial Chamber V (a) of the International Criminal Court acquitted my Deputy President, Honourable William Ruto, and Mr. Joshua Arap Sang. I welcome the aforementioned decision, which reaffirms my strong conviction from the beginning about the innocence of my Deputy President. From the start of this case, I have believed that this case was ill-conceived and never grounded on the proper examination of our experience of 2007/2008 as a nation” (…) “Each and every Kenyan was touched by the tragedy that befell our nation in 2007-2008. Each and every victim of this unfortunate happening matters. Not one of them has been forgotten. Their suffering demanded of us as leadership to seek reconciliation. My Deputy and I campaigned and were elected on a platform to unite and reconcile our motherland. When you entrusted the leadership of the country to our administration, you made us responsible for the healing and reconciliation of our people” (Kenyatta, Uhuru – ‘H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta Statement on ICC verdict on the Ruto and Sang Case’ 05.04.2016).

So with this in mind, the Kenyan Government have been thoroughly investigated by the ICC recently over time since the ICC charged people close connected to the current leadership and government. They even at some point had a case against the Kenyan President Kenyatta, but they let it slide because they got no witness angle on him. The Jubilee has fought back and has done their duty towards Courts. Still the wound of charges, the appearance and the trial has hurt.

The newest ICC cases into Africa is the post-election violence where even the Parliament we’re put on fire.  “In the letter of referral to the ICC signed by Gabon’s Justice Minister Denise Mekamne Edzidzie, the government accuses Ping and his supporters of incitement to genocide and crimes against humanity” (…) “It highlights a speech which Ping gave during his electoral campaign, in which he allegedly called on his supporters to “get rid of the cockroaches.” (…) “These words were an incitement to commit the crime of genocide,” the letter says” (France24, 2016). The Gabonese Authorities tries to pin it on the Opposition as the election rigging made the public mad and not just the supporters of Jean Ping. If the ICC uses this opportunity not to pin it on themselves as the Second Generation for life President Bongo!

African Union Letter to the ICC on the 29th January 2014:

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So the long-stemming grievances are now coming into effect. The feeling of being targets while others walk scotch-free. The inaccurate acts of being the main ones, even as the violence, genocides and crimes against humanity happen; the leaders don’t want a hanging gallows over their heads. Still, the acts of many current Presidents and their Regimes are using armies like Ethiopia against civilians. If they weren’t a strong ally of the United States, they would have a cherry to pick at the courts. President Museveni fears for place, the same should President Mugabe that never been for the Gukurahundi massacres we’re Zimbabwean Republican Police killed 20,000 people. These are men who fear the ICC and would do what they can to not be touched by their current sins and the ones of old.

Sudan, the country of President Omar Al-Bashir has said this in the recent our about the matter:

“This wise decision is established by the Republic of Burundi on objective grounds that the so-called International Criminal Court has become a tool of pressure and instability in the under-development countries. Further, the opening of investigations against some leaders is a result of pressures exercised by the western force,” the statement cited by the Sudan Tribune said” (Akwei, 2016).

So the country who has the Executive under charges, the other one of late has been forces away from power, but still men who was in charge of their respectable nations President Laurent Gbagbo who have now recently been in trial at ICC:

“On Thursday, Mr. Gbagbo, the former president of Ivory Coast, will go on trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, facing four counts of crimes against humanity stemming from the violence surrounding the 2010 presidential election. He was narrowly defeated in a runoff, but he insisted that he had won and refused to cede power, leading to months of turmoil and the deaths of more than 3,000 people before his arrest in April 2011” (…) “The trial of Mr. Gbagbo is an important challenge for the International Criminal Court. He is the first former president to reach trial at the tribunal, which has been in operation for a decade with a mandate to deal with war crimes and genocide. Also on trial with him will be Charles Blé Goudé, one of Mr. Gbagbo’s militia leaders in the 2011 upheaval, which followed more than a decade of ethnic political violence in Ivory Coast” (Rothschild, 2016).

So with this in mind, he isn’t a guerrilla fighting with child-soldiers like the ones charged by the ICC when coming to Lord Resistance Army and others who has been charged for violations against humanity in the ICC. These being Bosco the Terminator from the Democratic Republic of Congo, also that the former Vice President of Pierre Bemba of the MLC has been charged for his crimes, while his President Joseph Kabila walks free for his sins. This proves the neglect and the handpicked cases of the ICC. Reasons why the African Union and others are claiming so, partly righteous, partly wrong! The key to this, if the ICC want to be serious as an International legal institution… it needs cases and probes into states in Europe, America and Asia; not only War-Lords in Africa. That is just Neo-Colonialism and proves the questionable attributes to the character of the laws and big-man politics of the world. Peace.

Reference:

Akwei, Ismail – ‘Sudan urges mass African withdrawal from the ICC’ (21.10.2016) link: http://www.africanews.com/2016/10/21/sudan-urges-mass-african-withdrawal-from-the-icc/

Alionby, John – ‘Burundi becomes first nation to quit International Criminal Court’ (19.10.2016) link: https://www.ft.com/content/ce408588-95bf-11e6-a1dc-bdf38d484582

Chan, Sewell & Simons, Marlise – ‘South Africa to Withdraw From International Criminal Court’ (21.10.2016) link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/22/world/africa/south-africa-international-criminal-court.html?_r=0

Congressional Research Service – ‘International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues’ (22.07.2011) link: https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34665.pdf

France24 – ‘ICC opens preliminary probe into Gabon unrest’ (29.09.2016) link: http://www.france24.com/en/20160929-icc-opens-preliminary-probe-situation-gabon

Mbaku, John Mukum – ‘Africa’s Case Against the ICC’, Weber State University

 

Rothschild, Saskia de – ‘Trial of Ivory Coast’s Laurent Gbagbo Will Test International Criminal Court’ (27.01.2016) link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/world/africa/ivory-coast-laurent-gbagbo-hague-trial.html

 

International Criminal Court – Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (17.07.1998 in force on 01.07.2002) Copyrighted 2011

Statement attributable to the Spokesman of the Secretary-General on the Democratic Republic of the Congo [scroll down for the French version] (19.10.2016)

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The Secretary-General takes note of the conclusion of the national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He commends Edem Kodjo, the African Union Facilitator for the dialogue, as well as participants to the talks for their work and commitment towards a peaceful solution to the crisis in the context of the electoral process.

The Secretary-General hopes that the implementation of the agreement will contribute to a more conducive climate for the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms essential to political debate and credible elections. He urges the Government to remain actively engaged with all political stakeholders, including through continued confidence-building measures. These include in particular the further release of political prisoners and respect for the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. He also calls on political groups who were not part of the national dialogue to seek to resolve their differences peacefully.

The Secretary-General reiterates the crucial importance of peaceful and credible elections for the stabilization and consolidation of constitutional democracy in the DRC, in keeping with the Constitution and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

Déclaration attribuable au porte-parole du Secrétaire général sur la République démocratique du Congo

Le Secrétaire général prend note de la conclusion du dialogue national en République démocratique du Congo (RDC). Il félicite Edem Kodjo, le facilitateur de l’Union africaine pour le dialogue, ainsi que les participants aux pourparlers pour leur travail et leur engagement envers une solution pacifique à la crise dans le contexte du processus électoral.

Le Secrétaire général espère que la mise en œuvre de l’accord contribuera à un climat plus propice au respect des libertés et droits fondamentaux essentiels au débat politique et à des élections crédibles. Il exhorte le gouvernement à rester activement engagé avec tous les acteurs politiques, notamment en continuant d’adopter des mesures de confiance. Celles-ci comprennent en particulier de nouvelles libérations de prisonniers politiques et le respect du droit de réunion pacifique et de la liberté d’expression. Il appelle également les groupes politiques qui ne faisaient pas partie du dialogue national à s’employer à résoudre leurs différends de manière pacifique.

Le Secrétaire général réaffirme l’importance cruciale d’élections apaisées et crédibles pour la stabilisation et la consolidation de la démocratie constitutionnelle en RDC, conformément à la Constitution et à la Charte africaine de la Démocratie, des Elections et de la Gouvernance.

New York, le 19 octobre 2016

Ethiopia: the Reported effects of the’ State of Emergency’ w/mass arrests and killings in broad daylight!

Gondar 18th October 2016
Gondar 18th October 2016

The once of you only caring about the Internet and Social Media shutdown in Ethiopia has lost a vital point on that matter. The reason for the shutdown of Internet and why there is senseless killings and arrests sponsored by the TPLF or Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) and the Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Those have set in force the State of Emergency that legalize it and tries to hide their totalitarian dictatorship that it is, while forcing fellow citizens to be oppressed, killed or detained. And giving the Aghazi Squad and Police Force all rights to detain the people without charges or court orders; even as they even are late from work is a crime itself. Take a look at the madness that the ERPDF is doing in their name and took keep power.

Effects of the State of Emergency:

Since the state of emergency announcement, in many parts of Oromia the Ethiopian government forces have been harassing and harming citizens. For instance, today in the city of Awwaday, Agazi military in addition to their ongoing harassment have killed a civilian. In Iluu Abbaa Boora, in the county of Alee city of Goree Ethiopian government representatives are continuously harming locals. In Sandaafaa, a waste accrual centre costing up to one billion birr was protested by local residents and employees went on strike. Furthermore, since Lammaa Magarsaa, Oromia President (a direct wing of the current Ethiopian government) went to visit this centre employees have been forced to recommence work. In the city of Ambo, Awaroo secondary school students along with the organizers of protests were taken by the Ethiopian security forces and are now held in custody. The owner of Rayya Studio, Mr. Abraham Rayya along with singers and dancers were arrested by Ethiopian security forces, Agazi, whilst making their way to the studio in Finfinnee to record a music video. Mr Abraham Rayya is well respected and value amongst Oromo locals for assiting Oromo artists and releasing revolutionary songs from his studio” (SiiTube, 18.10.2016).

State of Emergency is Slavery:

“Professor Berhanu Nega, chairman of Patriotic Ginbot 7, an armed group based in Eritrea said in a video message that the rights prohibited by the state of emergency law in Ethiopia were already curtailed by the regime even before the declaration of the law” (…) “He said the regime in power had already been violating the constitution and other laws in perpetrating extrajudicial killings, mass incarcerations, muzzling the press and liquidating opposition political parties, among other crimes” (…) “There could be no political solution to the crises in the country when there is an emergency law put in effect, Prof. Berhanu said” (…) “The professor said the emergency law was aimed at stopping the ongoing uprising in the country as well as the resistance launched by the people against the tyrannical regime in all corners of the country” (ESAT, 2016).

Gondar on Strike:

“Residents of Gondar began a three-day strike on Monday, the first such strike since the declaration of state of emergency. Businesses and transportation services remained closed on Tuesday” (…) “Residents told ESAT on Monday that the strike was in protest against the state of emergency declared by the regime imposing restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly. The residents also said they were also staging the strike to denounce the mass killings and crackdowns throughout Ethiopia” (ESAT, 2016).

“The Command Post said: 93 bandits/rebels have surrendered in north Gondar zone, Amhara region. Over 1000 arms looted by protesters recovered from Oromia and Amhara regions. Scores of businesspeople, who took part in last week’s and this week’s general strikes have been arrested in Bahir Dar and Gonder cities” (De Birhan, 2016).

“Among the forefront actors in the violence and property damage occurred in west Arsi zone, Oromia Regional State, 450 suspects in Shashemene and 670 suspects in west Arsi zone have been arrested and investigation is underway” (…) “Similarly, of the 162 arms ransacked from west Arsi zone, including Shashemene, about 88 arms have been recovered by the efforts of elders and by the looters themselves. Efforts are also underway to recover properties stolen from government, individuals and development institutions” (…) “The Command Post also managed to recover 32 of the arms looted in west Guji zone. Based on the information provided by the public, some 302 suspects have been detained in the zone. About 20 suspects are also negotiating with elders to give their hands” (…) “Some 92 modern and outdated arms and 8 pistols were recovered from Adama, Bora, Lome, Liben Chikula, Adea, Boset and Adami Tulu woredas in east Shoa zone” (De Birhan, 2016).

Breakdown of Arrests today:

“Kelem Wolega =100, Shashemene= 450, West Arsi =670, West Guji=302, Gondar= 29, Bahir Dar= 29 – – Fana” (Tesfalem Waldyes, 19.10.2016).

Executions in Broad daylight:

“Execution in broad daylight is now the preferred TPLF’s method of terrorizing Oromo civilians. Today at 1:30 PM the Agazi soldiers executed young man named Ahmedo Guye in Abaro village West Arsi. You might recall they executed three young men in the neighboring district of Koksa yesterday and an elderly man in Bosat, East Shawa two days ago” (Siitube, 19.10.2016).

Semayawi Party former External Affairs chairman Abebe Akalu we’re today detained and accused of inciting violence. He is now detained at Bela Police Station.

Because of these internal fights that is created by the government and sponsored by the government, they have now also cancelled Ethiopia Premier League in football and Addis Ababa football tournament.

These reports are sad and shows to the extent, even some I haven’t covered have claimed that the Army has blatantly killed traders in Gondar and other towns, villages and cities to silence the people and their will of making a livelihood.

The validated reports prove the level of arrests, the small indications of executions and killings in broad daylight proves the excessive and brutal acts from the EPRDF and the Central Government of Prime Minister Haliemariam Desalegn. That does this kind of activity while the media is more concern about the revenue lost from the Internet blockade than the killings and detaining of fellow citizens. Good to know where the West support things, together with the far-cry from Europe when the Dutch Flower Plants we’re torched in Amhara Region. Peace.

Reference:

De Birhan – ‘New 1686 Suspected Protesters Detained In Oromia And Amhara Regions By The Command Post’ (19.10.2016) link: http://debirhan.com/?p=10666

ESAT – ‘State of emergency is state of slavery, says Prof. Berhanu Nega’ (17.10.2016) link: http://ethsat.com/48770-2/

ESAT – ‘Gondar continues strike despite tight security’ (18.10.2016) link: http://ethsat.com/gondar-continues-strike-despite-tight-security/

RDC: Communiqué de la Majorité Présidentielle après l’accord trouvé à l’issue du dialogue national (17.10.2016)

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RDC: Communique de presse du Facilitateur Edem Kodjo – La Pleniere du Dialogue National Inclusif adopte un Accord Politique (17.10.2016)

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Ethiopia: the Government are apparently using all means to silence the citizens under the current ‘State of Emergency’!

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The State of Emergency that came recently is a precautions move; to establish in essence the legality to oppress the regions of Amhara and Oromia under the TPLF or Ethiopia People Revolutionary Democratic Front that goes after civilians to keep the Tigray-Government in power in Addis Ababa.

Here is the main fixes to keep the stalemate and continue to violate the citizens’ rights under the oppressive behaviour of Agazi Squad; not only killing civilians, but going from houses to stop the congregations of peaceful demonstrations. That’s been going on for months that the citizens’ have demonstrated against the Central Government; something that has not gone well with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Here is the details of the State of Emergency that will last for six months to shut-down peaceful demonstrations that been gaining momentum in Oromia and Amhara.

Exchange of Messages:

“The state run media outlets on Saturday published details of the law as presented by the head of the command post secretariat in charge of the state of emergency and minister of defense, Siraj Fergessa” (…) “The emergency law prohibits the exchange of messages and information via the internet, cell phones, social media, television and radio” (ESAT, 2016).

Firstly the law now is not allowing the people to use common communication channels as modern and older technologies to spread information. This is happening as there have already shut-down the Internet, therefore the activists want the citizens to use VPN connections through MeshKit and FireChat. This is because the Central Government have even silenced the phone-lines as well, to stop the information from the area go to the people.

Holding Demonstrations:

“Publishing and distributing documents, holding demonstrations, showing protest gestures, importing and exporting published materials were also prohibited by the law” (ESAT, 2016).

Secondly publishing and distributing document together with holding demonstrations are now illegal, as much as the hand-gesture like holding fists is now banned from Central Government. The Central Government are showing really that they don’t let the people spread information or holding demonstrations. This together now with gestures or publish any materials. So these materials and documents are supposed to lead to demonstrations, therefore they are illegal because the government doesn’t want to see it. This proves that citizens are not allowed to demonstrate against a regime that is now currently not allowing the citizens to have a VOICE!

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Watching ESAT and OMN is banned:

“The law specifically mentioned  two independent media outlets abroad and banned the public from watching and listening to television and radio  programming by the Ethiopian Satellite Radio and Television (ESAT) and Oromo Media Network. The law gives power to security forces to monitor  and block messages transmitted via television, radio and movie theatres” (ESAT, 2016).

Thirdly, the Central Government who is not allowing spreading information or even gestures, that are silencing the voices of people. That the Central Government are banning two Channels directly Ethiopia Satellite Radio and Television (ESAT) and Oromo Media Network (OMN); this is the government is controlling the media and not allowing other news from being spread to the citizens. That is because they are not sending the massaged messages and statements that Government Spokesperson Getachew Reda wants to broadcast to save face for the oppressive regime.

Strikes are banned too!

“According to the law, strikes by workers as well as businesses and closing government offices in protest are illegal. The law says protests by students in universities, colleges and higher institutions of learning are also outlawed. The law gives power to security forces to take any action they deemed necessary against students who stage protest rallies” (ESAT, 2016).

Fourthly, the Workers are just to labour and not to ask about their rights, their wages or do anything about it. They are just too be happy with their place and salaries, working hours and not question the behaviour of their bosses and the labours safety. Together with the students who is not allowed to question the Central Government under the ‘State of Emergency’ as the civil society cannot spread information or watch certain channels; therefore the wages and workers are to be in the period not demonstrate for their wage or working hours; even if their wrong or not just for the labourers in Ethiopia. The #AddisTaxiStrike is not allowed to happen in the next 6 months… because of the EPRDF silence everybody who thinks about addressing the misgivings of the authoritarian regime.

Diplomates banned from travelling:

“The emergency law stipulates that diplomats cannot travel beyond 40 kms radius outside the capital without prior authorization and permission from the command post” (ESAT, 2016).

Fifth, the diplomates and dignitaries are not allowed and banned from movement, I wonder if the American Diplomates we’re to travel to Amhara or Oromia if they would be directly sent back to Addis Ababa. If not if they would end in jail like the Swedish Journalists in recent years. As the Oppressive behaviour doesn’t want Human Rights Activists and Diplomates who are connected with allies and such to travel into the regions to see the violence and oppression from the Central Government.

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Police Force intact:

“Members of the police and security forces cannot take leave of absence or resign in the duration of the state of emergency” (ESAT, 2016).

Sixth, the Police Force and Security Forces are to be stable in the levels it is now. The Security Organizations like the Army and Agazi Force is to be there to silence the Civil Societies and the people of the regions use their forces to kill the spirit, the people and the means to silence them by any means. This means they are now occupying the regions with soldiers and artillery without any consideration of the people as they are just to work and not question the legitimacy of the Central Government in Addis Ababa.

Curfew:

“A curfew is in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time in areas where there are economic infrastructures, factories, agricultural projects and other investments. The law also authorizes security forces to take whatever measure necessary against people who violate the curfew” (ESAT, 2016).

Seventh, so the people who are just to work, not to listen or see reports or news from others than who are accepted from the Central Government of the EPRDF. So the demonstrations are not illegal, they are extending it to be indoors from after work time; if the people tries to avoid this than the Agazi Squad to detain or use any means to stop them. This leaves the people with fixed salaries and with no freedom or liberty of their movement while the ‘State of Emergency’ is in effect!

Security forces can do what they please:

“Security forces are given permission to search and arrest anyone and confiscate possessions without a court warrant, according to the law” (…) “The emergency law also give security forces the power to take any action to defend themselves from any threat or attack” (ESAT, 2016).

Eight, the Agazi Forces and Soldiers, even Police can arrest anyone as they please, they don’t need charges or any signs of illegal activity. The people are designed to be sinners or violators as the citizens are guilty before there are innocent under the current Central Government. The Ethiopian Government have made people and their illegitimate activity into a feast of oppressive behaviour. The next level is to ban work and harvest so they can just die on the side of the roads of Gonder or Mendi. I am sure by the new laws, they are not allowed to be die or be buried; as the people are just supposed to be silenced by the TPLF.

This is so sad, that the Central Government is issuing this sort of acts and activities that are done with the cookbook of oppressive behaviour. They are using any ingredient to stop the people, the citizens from being [citizen’s] and they don’t want the foreign powers to know anything about their violence towards the citizens. Therefore I am calling it not aggression, but calling it an occupation of Amhara and Oromia regions, as the Central Government do not want to accept the demonstrations against them. Peace.   

Reference:

ESAT News – ‘Ethiopian authorities release details of state of emergency’ (15.10.2016) link: http://ethsat.com/ethiopian-authorities-release-details-state-emergency/

UNSC: Draft Press Statement on the Implementation of Resolution 2303 – Burundi (13.10.2016)

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