
Somaliland MoFA Press Release on Berbera Port and DP World Deal (29.03.2018)







Today, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) Council has left a statement on the State Television Ethiopian Broadcasting Company on their Facebook, it is really revealing, that they are trailing and trying to figure the next steps out, as the new chairman and new Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, will have to find away within the coalition structure and with the turmoil that is currently there. The EPRDF have ways to figure this out, the new PM Dr. Abyi can either work for the agenda of the Woyane, since has to trade their water, as well as not insult the wishes for more liberty and freedoms in the regions, where the state is currently battling them with a fresh State of Emergency.
What the EPRDF Council said to today, is revealing, I will take the piece that caught my eye: “The EPRDF Council has evaluated several factors that have not resulted in a timely adjustment of this problem, and its main reason is that the lack of public service in our organization is weakening and the tendency to use and control the power of personal power. Numerous mistakes have undergone the good start of the successful process as the whole of the changes that we have recorded over the past 27 years has been attributed to the strength of our corporate spirit and focus. Anti-democratic propensity has widened our constitutional limitations. With the desire of power, it is possible to create and to abate the interest groups. The persistent views of the leadership of the leadership and the stubbornness of the leadership have resulted in the loss of the organization and the survival of our country. Our institution has gradually expanded the old system of thinking that is led by thinking ability. As a result, the performance of our Growth and Transformation Plan has not reached the desired level of efficiency and efficiency. These problems, above all, are the weaknesses of the highest leadership, the council’s review has been verified, and the executive committee assumes responsibility for the problems and consequences of the collapse. The Council has decided that steps should be taken to ensure that the steps required to ensure accountability are properly and properly implemented” (A statement from the EPRDF Council, EBC Facebook, 30.03.2018).
This part of the message is striking for various of reasons, because it says more than they usually wants. But if I believe it is another matter. Because they have used the force, they have detained and have killed several, dozens and to many citizens to stay in power. They are at the same time proclaiming the people who asking for democracy and freedom, calling them anti-democratic. Not like the EPRDF is really democratic, neither the elections, that has been handpicked man and handpicked parties to run. So the men wished by the Central Government could be Members of Parliament, serve under the EPRDF and the TPLF. Not like Woyane has made progressions in this era. That isn’t a mistake, that is with clear efforts and with meaning to control it all. We know this, because even if opposition critics are drinking coffee in a garden together, they can be detained without any warrants or reason, other than the state are in fear of their voices.
I wonder, how accountable they will be or will review themselves, since they are the initiator and the ones doing the aggression. They are silencing or showing no mercy to dissidents, there is no return if they run to the streets or even start blockades, but if they don’t do that. The Central Government will not see them or care of their existence. Therefore, the only thing they can do, is stay home demonstrations, that even this government has banned with the directions from the Command Post Secretariat.
Hard to believe that the EPRDF will really change or pay amends to the regions of hurt, like Oromia or Amhara. I am saying that, because of what ESAT News reported today: “The twelve member inquiry board formed by the House of People’s Representatives was supposed to travel to Moyale, Southern Ethiopia, on March 25, 2018 and stay in the town for a week. Wazema Radio quoted a member of the inquiry group as saying that they were told by “higher ups” to scrapp their mission. The member of the inquiry board who wish to remain anonymous said they do not exactly know which specific authority has given the order” (Engidu Wolde – ‘Ethiopia: Parliamentary inquiry into Moyale atrocities suspended’ 30.03.2018, ESAT News). So, when the same state talking a fresh start and mistakes. They are not looking to violations and the state sanctioned kilings in Moyale, that led to a civilians fleeing from the area to Kenya. The ruling regime is clearly not taking responsibility for the killings of their own.
That is why, the statement on Facebook is hard to believe and read. That they will review, when they are even scrapping investigation into the killings of Moyale, the state sanctioned massacre. This sort of activity should have consequences, for the ones ordering it and the ones doing it. They shouldn’t walk around in Oromia with the guns, they are merciless killers of innocent citizens.
So with that in mind, it is hard to believe the EPRDF is planning to change it’s efforts. Even stop the State of Emergency, stop the harsh rules and regulations of the measure and also have dialogue with the groups affected by the decision made by Command Post and the EPRDF Council of Ministers.
There are many things, that needs change, but the state is not acting wise if they want to seriously grant the people more than empty hope and gestures. That is shown with the scraping of the misison to investigate in Moyale. We know now, the EPRDF don’t want to be transparent about their misgivings, they can violate the law and make activists into terrorists, but they cannot stand-up and offer change. Unless, the Prime Minister stands up to the Woyane and also the ones “high-up” who controls the affairs.
Since, this is not looking good and make you wonder, if the change of PM Abiy is just a game, the people are the pawns and the TPLF are awaiting their prize. Peace.

The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front/ Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (TPLF/ EPRDF) regime of Ethiopia is in a futile attempt to breathe life in to its dying regime. The regime is trying to do everything possible to restore their supremacy destabilised by popular struggle for freedom and democracy. Under auspices of the state of emergency, the regime’s armed forces assassinate, kidnap and mistreat innocent civilians. In an aim to divert the attention of the peoples from the current crises in the country and deter them from continuing wide spread protests, the regime is trying to sow seeds of mistrust among century long lived brotherly nations. It is in our recent memory that the TPLF/ EPRDF has instigated conflict between Oromo and Ogaden Somalis that costed many lives and displaced a million from both sides. The TPLF/ EPRDF regime committed and will continue to commit such heinous crime against humanity on a regular basis. The Afar Liberation Front Party (ALFP) and Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) noted the recent attempt of the EPRDF force camouflaging itself in eastern and northeast border between Oromia and Afar regions in attacking peaceful civilians on both sides. This recent act of TPLF/EPRDF that was witnessed by local peoples is a direct replica of the drama which they were playing to instigate war among other nations and nationalities throughout the country.
Ethiopian regime has been doing every means possible to divide nations and nationalities in Ethiopia to weaken their liberation struggle for freedom, peace and democracy. To execute its diabolical objectives it is using all means to divide and rule. Both ALFP and OLF strongly condemn and vigorously fight all fiendish attempts that target the unity of both peoples. Both organizations reaffirm their commitment to fight any tendency that weakens both people’s unity.
Hence, the ALFP and OLF want to make the Afar, Oromo and other peoples of Ethiopia to be aware of the intended evil plan of TPLF/EPRDF regime. This dying regime is desperate that it cannot refrain itself from doing all kinds of crime to stay in power.
We ask the international community to a pressure upon TPLF/EPRDF regime instead of replicating conflicts to find all-inclusive solution that enable the empowerment of peoples.
Finally, we call the Afar, the Oromo and other peoples of Ethiopia to be vigilant and cooperate in solving peacefully any conflict that the TPLF/EPRDF instigates among them. We also call all political organisations to play a major role in making peoples aware of these anti-brotherly relations of TPLF and struggle in unison to remove this brutal regime from power.
Peace shall prevail!!
ALFP-OLF
28 March 2018





“A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it’s lowest ones”– Nelson Mandela
On the 15th February 2018 on National Television, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn resigned as Chairman of Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) and also Prime Minister. This happen as sudden swift action, caught many by surprise. Since then the state has re-issued new restrictions and a new State of Emergency, where the state oppress the regions of Oromia and Amhara especially.
Therefore, now after 40 days and long meetings for the Council of Ministers, they have no been able to pick a candidate, the one who become the official chairman of the EPRDF to day is the leader of Oromo People Democratic Organization (OPDO) Dr. Abiy Ahmed. He was elected the chairman of the party, just this 23rd February 2018. So, the rise has gone quickly and seemingly smooth for the 41 year old politician.
Addis Standard reports: “Update: Dr. Abiy Ahmed secured 108 of the 180 and came out the clear winner. The current Deputy PM Demeke Mekonnen, chairman of the ANDM, will remain in his position as deputy Prime Minister” (Addis Standard, 27.03.2018). So we can expect that he stays as deputy in the time coming. So the coalition still has different parties between the various post.
Fana BC Reports: “Addis Ababa, March 27, 2018 (FBC) – The Council of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) today elected Dr Abiy Ahmed as Chairperson of the Front. Demeke Mekonnen was elected Deputy Chairperson of EPRDF. The Council concluded the meeting it has been conducting since March 20, 2018” (Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘Dr Abiy Ahmed elected Chairperson of EPRDF’, 27.03.2018). What they are saying they needed 7 days or a week to vote for the future Chairman and also Prime Minister. They also waited 33 days before starting to have the Council of Ministers to decide the matter. Therefore, you cannot say the EPDRF isn’t careful and thorough on the matter.
This is not a clean slate, but for some a fig of hope, though I am skeptic, since the EPRDF has been a Woyane and a Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) infused government, where their needs has come first. That is why the oppression, the arrests and the killings has happen on their fields and town. With the sieges and the skirmishes to stop people from protesting the state. Therefore, OPDO chairman and now chairman of EPRDF needs time, but also hope. Because, it is a tricky road ahead. As the Command Post and the army are going-in on the population. Not creating peace, but havoc.
Jawar Mohammed put its very nicely: “Congratulation Dr Abiy Ahmed. You have ascended to the helm of power at the most critical time in the country’s history. To save country from the current dangerous crisis immediate task ahead;
1) Start dialogue with opposition to pave roadmap towards democratic transition immediately
2) Lift the illegal state of emergency
3) Release all political prisoners
4) Reform the security sector to reflect diversity of the country
I wish you Good Luck!” (Jawar Mohammed, 27.03.2018).
This here, what Jawar is writing and wishing for the chairman to focus on reconciliation and not further oppression against the civilians. That is what the state is doing right now, with the detaining of writers, journalists, bloggers, activists and politicians. All political prisoners, as well as the wounded and the killings. That has been all done in the favors of the TPLF. The other parties have idly looked by and let it happen.
So thinks this might settle the score with the oppression and stops the protest. Because the EPRDF have picked a Oromo to be the Chairman. It is nice gesture and token of respect, but the means on the ground, the violations and the hurt is still there. The lack of tolerance and the lack of building bridges is the reason for the outcome these days. That the TPLF is eating and taken advantage, while the other groups are left to play second fiddle.
There has to substantial changes to stop the protests in the regions. The EPRDF has to show signs, like they did in the days ahead of the resignation of the previous Prime Minister. Now, there is nothing, except for his ethnic background. But that will not matter if Oromia are burning and people are fleeing the army, like they have done during the recent 40 days.
There is need for progress and change, swift change, since the government are stifling own citizens and their own voices. This was an internal change and we could see how the new chairman of the EPRDF has gone up the ranks, first in his first party after the resignation and now he has been voted in the coalition too. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, has a long road to walk. This will not be easy, he has many pieces to play and uncertain how he will handle it.
He could be a puppet to the TPLF like his predecessor or his own man. Time will tell, but the protest will not unsubscribe because of his ethnic background, they will stop when the state acts right. Not like now, when it acts wrong.
The trust between the Woyane and where the provinces where the protests are is lacking, but is because of the years of oppression and violence. The TPLF has to understand that, they cannot get away with it and the Oromo will continue to block trade-routes, block oil-transports from Djibouti and so on. To hurt the Central Government, therefore, the new leader need to have dialogue and not send guns to the provinces. There is a need for change of methods and change of ways to handle this. So that all parts can feel involved and take parts of the decisions. Not just one group on top.
Therefore, I fear that Dr. Abiy Ahmed might just be a new puppet. But I hope I am wrong. Peace.



