Ethiopia: Provide unhindered access to whole of Tigray to protect civilians, Bachelet urges Ethiopia (22.12.2020)

Geneva (22 December 2020) – Seven weeks after the conflict began in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the continuing lack of overall humanitarian access, coupled with an ongoing communications blackout in many areas, raises increasing concerns about the situation of civilians, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned on Tuesday.

“While we welcome the Ethiopian Government’s statement that there would be unimpeded humanitarian access, in line with the agreement with the UN signed on 29 November, this needs to be to all areas of Tigray where civilians have been affected by the fighting,” Bachelet said, noting that two humanitarian assessment missions were able to enter Tigray on Monday.

“We have received allegations concerning violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including artillery strikes on populated areas, the deliberate targeting of civilians, extrajudicial killings and widespread looting,” said the High Commissioner.

“These reports point to failure by the parties to the conflict to protect civilians. This is all the more concerning given that fighting is said to be continuing, particularly in some areas of north, central and southern Tigray,” she said. Tens of thousands of civilians have already been displaced or have fled across the border to Sudan. Bachelet also echoed the concern expressed by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, for the safety and wellbeing of some 96,000 Eritrean refugees registered in four camps in Tigray when fighting started.

Given the current restrictions, the UN Human Rights Office is not in a position to verify reports on the ground but it has received consistent information pointing to violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law by all parties to the conflict.

Among the accounts, witnesses described artillery strikes on the town of Humera on the border with Eritrea between 9 and 11 November. The UN Human Rights Office interviewed several people from the town who alleged that shells launched from Eritrea had hit residential areas and the hospital. The Ethiopian army and regional Amhara forces and militia then reportedly took control of Humera, allegedly killing civilians and looting the hospital, banks, businesses, supermarkets and private houses.

Artillery strikes against the town of Adigrat in early November reportedly forced many families to flee to the mountains, where they were then trapped by heavy fighting between 20 and 24 November, with many people reported to have been killed.

One of the most shocking incidents reported to date was the alleged mass killing of several hundred people, mainly Amharans, in Mai Kadra, on 9 November.

“If civilians were deliberately killed by a party or parties to the conflict, these killings would amount to war crimes and there needs to be, as I have stressed previously, independent, impartial, thorough and transparent investigations to establish accountability and ensure justice,” Bachelet said.

“I urge the authorities to build on the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission’s preliminary findings into what happened in Mai Kadra. It is essential that there are investigations into allegations of human rights violations there against both Amharans and Tigrayans,” she said.

Based on multiple accounts, the Amhara “Fano” militia has reportedly committed human rights abuses, including killing civilians and carrying out looting. The UN Human Rights Office has also received information, which it has not been able to verify, concerning the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray, their involvement in the hostilities and related serious violations of international law.

While telephone lines are beginning to be restored in some areas, the communications blackout that began on 4 November and restrictions on access raise significant concerns that the human rights and humanitarian situation is even more dire than feared. These reported allegations are likely only the tip of the iceberg regarding the extent and seriousness of the violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by all parties to the conflict.

For instance, while the Government of Ethiopia has repeatedly alleged that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces have been involved in violations of international law, without access it remains challenging to verify these allegations.

“This underscores the need for independent human rights monitors to be given access to Tigray to adequately assess the human suffering resulting from the conflict, verify allegations and to help ensure accountability for violations,” Bachelet said.

“What has happened in Tigray over these past seven weeks is as heart-breaking as it is appalling. Despite the Ethiopian Government’s initial efforts to provide humanitarian aid in some areas, it is vital that life-saving assistance is delivered to all civilian populations in need without further delay,” the High Commissioner said.

“To avoid continued conflict and loss of life, Ethiopia should address its longstanding ethnic divides through accountability, inclusive dialogue, reconciliation and respect for human rights,” she stressed.

Opinion: The African Union and IGAD have failed the Tigray

Well, I’m not particularly shocked when the Communique from the recent Intergovenmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Heads of State Summit in Djibouti. This communique did practically do nothing and said nothing either. It was the definition of a nothing burger.

Neither does the African Union deliver anything substantial to the table. The AU is speaking in the words of “unity” and as a “sovereign”. They are looking shackled by the trouble that the headquarters of the AU is in Addis Ababa. Therefore, they cannot challenge the government that is housing them.

AU and IGAD has failed the Tigray and the ones suffering as a consequence of the conflict in the Tigray Region. All the refugees, the starving and the ones injured without proper health care in the middle of conflict. Can all be reminded that not only did their Federal Government not save them, help them and be their guardian. However, the big multi-national organizations supposed to support peace, human rights and shield the public isn’t their for them either.

These two bodies are now showing their uselessness. Not like the United Nations or any of its bodies are connecting the dots either. The region is suffering, the state is twisting the narrative and we can only imagine the troubles that are occurring. The levels of murders, assassinations and extra judicial killings happening on the watch of the authorities. The amount of damage and pain, which is served by state.

AU and IGAD are showing they are bound by the headquarters and their loyalty to the member state. In particular the loyalty towards the Head of State and their respective ideals at the time. They are shielding the regimes and the current leadership. These are not looking out for the citizens or questioning the human rights violations. Neither the graver or more worrying allegations of massacres or other mass killings in the region of Tigray. No, they are looking the other way and not challenging the Prosperity Party nor its leader Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy.

The way IGAD and AU is being the helpers and the ones buying Abiy time to do his indefensible actions as the Head of State. The man isn’t questioned or condemned. No, they are on his side and kiss his ass. They are together as a partner and buddy with a War-Lord and unelected tyrant. The man who uses the state to make his opposition arrested, detained and silenced. That man they are willing to take their bets on and defend his actions. Not even mediating or even trying to make a difference.

This here is just proving that they are the dictators club. A place to have a cigar, a laugh and enjoy the perks of being an executive. That all happens when they gather around with their entourages and cronies. They get to spend some times. Hold some pressers, decide and communique, but also eat expensive meals on other people’s dime. That is what they do and get away with it.

That is why this sort of ordeal only shows the maladministration of the AU and IGAD. The Tigray conflict, which have lasted since early November 2020 have undressed this. The IGAD and AU doesn’t work or have the heart to function to the needs. Maybe only the AU can come out with conferences about “silencing the guns”. However, actually silencing them by one member state seems impossible. Because, there is always a good reason for the killings and no reason to interfere too much. That is not the duty. Only some publicity stunts and hope the headlines moves on to another topic. If not to another crisis, which the AU and IGAD has no idea how to solve.

Since, they cannot ruffle the feathers with the heads of state of its members. That will not happen, because then they are daring to belittle a sovereign and make them accountable. This doesn’t fit with the program of a Dictators Club.

They are just supposed to sing and dance while looking Kings. Don’t matter who dies or what moral obligation they should have… that doesn’t matter and have no real values. Not as long as the AU and IGAD is a functional shield for the ones in power. Peace.

Ethiopia: Federal Government arrests with a vengeance…

The late Prime Minster Meles Zenawi’s daughter, Semhal Meles Zenawi, & late Major General Hayelom Araya’s son, Birhanemeskel Hayelom have both been arrested in Mekelle in Tigray state. This is a revenge act of the Federal Government. Even going after the sons of the previous Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) leadership, which was controlled by Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

This is a civilian arrest without any precaution. They are only arrested because of their association and not for what they have done. This is the “reforms” of the Prosperity Party and the guided leadership of Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy. It shows the vengeance and revenge by the government in Addis Ababa.

Maybe, Meles Zenawi can distort the vision and the ideas of change that Abiy is supposed to do. As Zenawi wanted to be known as a statesman and a visionary leader. The former PM also wanted to be known for “the new Ethiopia” but also “the African renaissance”.

This must hurt the pride and ego of the current PM. He doesn’t wanted to be reminded of whatever accomplishments that Zenawi did. Even the legacy he left behind. Yes, the EPRDF and the TPLF under Zenawi was an dictatorship, but still it has some reflections of hope for a brighter future. Right now its a field day on anyone opposing or could be associated with the opposition in the Republic. In a manner, which is insane. Where daughters and sons of the previous generation can be arrested. Just because they were born and raised by their parents. That’s the extent of PM Abiy at this current moment.

PM Abiy must be so proud to live up to the idea that the children can be punished for the possible sins of their parents. That is such a Biblical and retaliation means. This cannot be constitutional or justified through law. However, this is only showing the ugly side of the regime today.

The 2020 Prosperity Party wants to go down as a One-Party dictatorship under the unelected PM. A man who is willing to bury, destroy and arbitrary arrest people. It is willing to muffle the media and citizens. Restrict and block people from speaking out. While they are even arresting people fro the possible sins of their fathers or mothers. Children of the previous generation can be arrested because of their name and not for what they did.

Citizens who happens to be related to previous EPRDF or TPLF leaders can be detained. Just because… apparently. That is how oppressive the authorities are at this moment. You cannot make this up. This shouldn’t be a thing, but sadly it is. Peace.

IGAD: Communique of the 38th Extraordinary Assembly of IGAD – Heads of State and Government – Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti, 20th December 2020 (20.12.2020)

Ethiopia: Horn of Africa – Civil Society Forum (HOA-SCF) letter to Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok (16.12.2020)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front – Press Release – The prosperity group has arrested OLF members and leaders again (20.12.2020)

Ethiopia: Joint letter from the Eritrean Political Forces (EPF) letter to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Flippo Grandi – Subject: Urgent call to protect and save Eritrean refugees in the Tigray Region and other parts of Ethiopia from abduction, killing and forced reparation to the war zone (16.12.2020)

Opinion: Abiy gone from the “Big Brother” to a Bounty Hunter

“I want them to hear me: Yesterday evening, around midnight, we saw them from the situation room in the area between Hagere Selam and Abiy Addi,” Abiy said in remarks to lawmakers, referring to two towns west of the Tigray capital Mekele. “We didn’t attack them at night because as they retreated they took their wives, children and abducted soldiers… But this will not continue.”” (Ahram Online – ‘ Ethiopia’s Abiy says has Tigray leaders in his sights’ 30.11.2020).

This here was parts of speech to the House of Federation as the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali wanted to show his strength and control of the conflict. Which he has issued in the Tigray Region on the 3rd November 2020. Just after a few weeks time he wanted to tell and show the world that he had the world by the balls. However, that isn’t true.

As another 18 days from the 30th November 2020 the Prime Minister and his men doesn’t have the CCTV on the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) Central Committee. Now, they don’t have them monitored on wire-tap. The State have clearly no idea where the TPLF leadership is located. If they did. They wouldn’t 2 weeks later ask for bounty hunters to rescue them. Maybe, even mercenaries will start coming to hunt after them.

Addis Ababa December 18/2020 (ENA) Ethiopian Ministry of National Defense Force announced a reward of 10 million Birr to anyone who provides information on the whereabouts of the TPLF junta leaders. Head of Information Department at the Ministry of National Defense Force, Lieutenant General Asrat Denero told journalists today that members of the National Defense Force and Federal Police are working in partnership to bring the junta leadership to justice as soon as possible” (Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) – ‘Ministry to Reward 10 Mln Birr for Information on Whereabouts of TPLF Cliques’ 18.12.2020).

What we can wonder about? Where did the eyes of the state go?

Since they had the leadership of TPLF at their fingertips. They were in the magical sphere of the situation room. As the Federal Government was closing in on them. The National Army, Amhara Paramilitary Group (Fano) and Eritrean Army all going after the TPLF. However, all of these forces and their enterprise clearly didn’t have the sights on them as he said.

Now the Bounty Hunters are called in and the Ghostbusters too. The whole brigade as they want the rats and snitches to call the police. The authorities who are having a Law Enforcement Operation and not calling it warfare.

The Prime Minister should answer for this, because something isn’t adding up. That he has them in the Situation Room a few weeks ago and now needs advice to find them. This is peculiar lie, but wars also undress emperors and their motives.

There is little redeeming factors to this. The Prime Minister boosted his ego, but really didn’t have it. Wanted to sound flamboyant, but in the end the lie caught him. If he knew where they were and are. He wouldn’t need some random advice and guidance on way to find them.

Who is he kidding here?

He lied about the refugees and now he lied about the TPLF in his scope. We can wonder what’s next, but a truth teller the PM isn’t. Caught in another one yet again. Peace.

Ethiopia: Bounty put on the TPLF leaders

Addis Ababa December 18/2020 (ENA) Ethiopian Ministry of National Defense Force announced a reward of 10 million Birr to anyone who provides information on the whereabouts of the TPLF junta leaders. Head of Information Department at the Ministry of National Defense Force, Lieutenant General Asrat Denero told journalists today that members of the National Defense Force and Federal Police are working in partnership to bring the junta leadership to justice as soon as possible” (Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) – ‘Ministry to Reward 10 Mln Birr for Information on Whereabouts of TPLF Cliques’ 18.12.2020).

This is a continued measures put on the Tigray Peolpe’s Liberation Front (TLPF) and their Central Committee members. These are now directly attacked and planned arrests of. That is not shocking, as there been rumours of arrests on the 6th December 2020. Which apparently wasn’t true… and was mere speculations.

The Tigray conflict has been going strong since 3rd November 2020. It is now prolonging. Already in the end of November 2020 the Prime Minister said the Federal Government was starting the “Final Phase” which is still continuing to this day. Meaning weeks after calling the end … they are now calling for bounties on their heads. That shows the citizens and population of the region is supporting their leaders. Not being behind the interim regional government appointed by Addis Ababa.

That is why the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister Abiy is using this scheme to see if they can get ratted out. It is very special to promise money to people who have frozen bank-accounts and cannot access their money in the banks. The state has frozen the money and stopped them from even getting it out. While the state have blocked aid, international aid and only very limited supply to all the ones in need.

Therefore, the addition of giving money here is vicious. As even if the Tigrayans did take it and told on the TPLF Central Committee members who are fugitives in their own state and republic. The TPLF have been deemed an “terrorist organization” by the House of Federation. Therefore, they have legitimized their means of destruction and deployment of the army in Tigray. This has been done now since early November 2020. So, the state have professed to have control of the region and taking over major towns and vital routes. However, they are not instilled or have the loyalty of the region.

If the Prime Minister and PP has the region in their hands. Why are they doling out money to get witnesses and snitches on their elected leadership?

The Federal Government are showing how they are lacking intelligence or getting information. When they have to pay people to get valuable information about the possible location or where they was spotted last. If the rumours or speculations earlier this month is true… then the government should find people who is dressed like priests. Because, that was the speculated way they got arrested.

Well, the state is clearly not handling this well and very reactionary. As they are doing this now. After all their efforts. The usage of the National Army, Amhara paramilitary group (Fano) and the Eritrean Army. All of this armies and soldiers on the ground have clearly not massed up to TPLF. As they we’re able to run away from battlefields of the region.

That says a lot… It is really rich for someone saying they have control and ended the battle early. Is now asking for bounties on their heads. Hoping for either snitches or bounty hunters to find the TPLF Central Committee. Peace.

Opinion: OLF-Shane/Shene is an imaginary group…

If you want to be deceived and lied too. It is every easy. Especially, when one group, one party and one state controls the airwaves. When one man and his “yes men” delivers all the information and nobody can check it. However, that makes it more important to say it as it is.

Yes, there is an Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and been an entity since the 1973. The OLF was registered as a Political Party in November 2018. Recently in Kenya, the Prime Minister Abiy claimed the OLF was the same as Al-Shabaab. Clearly offering the narrative that the Oromo Party is an enemy and a terrorist organization.

This is why the state and National Broadcasters are busy scheming and making reasons to deregister and vilify the OLF. They have already arrested the leadership of OLF and also taken activists behind bars. The state is already blocking the telecommunication and airwaves in parts of Oromia as well. Where people are dying because of state officers and law enforcement.

Yesterday alone in Wallaga, Oromia. The state killed 358 civilians and arrested 2900 “suspects”. This they did as they were against the imaginary group OLF-Shane/Shene. A group that is non-existent and only in the mind of the regime. It is a mirage and bad reflection of judgment creating a group out of thin-air.

The Prosperity Party, the ENDF and all its comrades are really foolish fighting ghosts and hot-air. They will find very little and only cause more harm. They are only creating a bloodshed and more grief. These actions are not getting more friends, but more enemies. As the grudges and the ones who lost loved ones. Might want to later down line avenge these lost ones. The ones in struggle wants to make them martyrs and make a statement.

Because, the state is coming with injustice and extra judicial killings. Having a massacre in Wallaga Oromia against nobody. They are causing more conflict and that needs to be addressed. Right now the war-fare in Tigray gets all the headlines. However, the massacre in Wallaga, Oromia shouldn’t go forgotten. Especially, since its that many people who has lost their lives.

The state is fighting a make-belief, they are fighting an excuse and a lie. That is what they are doing. Not the OLF, but an OLF-Shane/Shene. Which is a mockery… and foolish mind-games that nobody should buy into. Its a bunch of rubbish. That is why its really showing how much propaganda the state wants out. As they are fact-checking international media, but speaking of non-existent armed group they are fighting in Oromia. That is how far they are taking it and what they are willing to do.

This is why you cannot trust the government and state media. When they are making up stuff like this. Creating evidence and enemies out of thin-air. If they can do that in Wallaga, Oromia on the 16th December 2020. What have they been doing elsewhere? There is a media blackout and the ones daring to speak out get either detained or ends up dead. So, its not like they would challenge the government and their narratives. These folks wants to live and have a job the next day. Even if that means lying or being the microphone for the state. They got no choice but to do so. Who wants to risk it all over coving a mass amount of death? You might end up with the same fate yourself.

This is really dangerous. When the state are willing to trade stories like this and sell it. There is no grounds for this. Instead of taking responsibility and telling it straight. They rather make up ghosts and fairy-tales. That is the bleak reality. Peace.