Tag: Algiers Agreement
Ethiopia-Eritrea: Shabait says Badme is theirs, the conflict over the Badme triangle… never ends…
“Even before the economic issue became important, however, in July 1997, Ethiopian forces occupied part of the Badda District, a small, remote, but more fertile area close to the Danakil depression, and replaced the Eritrean administration in the village of Adi Murug. The claim was on historical grounds, and based on the “inaccuracy” of current maps. The most widely used map of Eritrea, published in 1995 by the Eritrean Government in cooperation with the University of Berne, shows only Eritrean territory; neighbouring countries are simply marked in grey. Unhelpfully, this map shows neither Adi Murug nor Badme nor places just across the Ethiopian border, such as Zalambessa. Despite its claims, the map presented by the Ethiopian government to representatives of the international community in Addis Ababa in May 1998 showed the border in the same way as in all current atlases. A month later, however, the provincial authorities in Mekelle (Tigray) produced a different map – funded, in their case, in cooperation with the German government which showed several areas hitherto considered part of Eritrea coming within the Ethiopian border” (Margaret Fielding – ‘BAD TIMES IN BADME: BITTER WARFARE CONTINUES ALONG THE ERITREA-ETHIOPIA BORDER’ – IBRU Boundary and Security Bulletin Spring 1999).
The Tripartite Alliance are still very active and there is reports of furthering the war in the Tigray Region. The reports that the Eritrean Defence Force has been stationed and vital in the warfare in the Tigrayan war of late is an understatement. The EDF has been one of the reasons why the Tigray region was invaded and they occupied it whole for some time. That was a retaliation of old grudges and wanted to settle old grievances. Therefore… that Shabait brings back the Badme Triangle.
Shows that the Eritrean government planned all along to annex and get the territory, which has been contested. The Ethiopian government has also claimed this land and the Badme Territory. Now, the Eritrean government claims it theirs and that the recent peace agreement of 2018 is stating so. This means the Tigray Regional Government have to give up this territory and let the demarcation of the border continue. That is evident and the Eritrean government does this… as they have allies in Addis Ababa and wants Mekelle to know that.
Here is the most interesting parts of the Shabait piece published today:
“When TPLF’s military campaigns was thwarted by a costly defeat at the Assab Front in June 2000, it was finally forced to accept cessation of hostilities and later the entire Algiers Peace Agreement on December 12, 2000. The Algiers Agreement created a court of arbitration, the EEBC. The Algiers Agreement also stipulated, in categorical terms, that “the parties agree that the delimitation and demarcation determinations of the Commission shall be final and binding”. But notwithstanding the unequivocal provisions of the Algiers Agreement, the EEBC decision was not enforced by the UN Security Council because principal sponsors – especially the US and the EU – failed to honour their obligations for their own narrow geopolitical considerations. When the EEBC decision was announced, Seyoum Mesfin, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister at the time falsely claimed that “Badme was awarded to Ethiopia”. He urged the international community to use punitive sanctions if necessary, to secure Eritrea’s full and immediate compliance with the provisions of the EEBC Award. The Foreign Minister and his government were soon to make a u-turn, sing a different song and reject the EEBC Award. Subsequent sessions of the EEBC were marked by Ethiopia’s dilatory tactics. Thus, in its 16th Report to the UN in 2006, the Commission was compelled to write: “Ethiopia is not prepared to allow demarcation to continue in the manner laid down in the demarcation directions and in accordance with the timeline set by the Commission.” (…) “The course of events changed when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared Ethiopia’s readiness to accept and implement in full the Decision of the Boundary Commission. Following his visit to Asmara, a Joint Declaration on Peace and Friendship was signed between Eritrea and Ethiopia on July 9, 2018. The Declaration brought to an end eighteen years of ‘no war no peace’ between Ethiopia and Eritrea and opened a new era of peace and friendship. Article four of the Joint Agreement stipulates that “The two countries will implement the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission decision.” (Shabait – ‘We do Not Relinquish What is ours; Nor do We Covet What Belongs to Others: (Natna Aynhbn Zeynatna Ayndeln)’ 13.04.2022).
We know these ideals of Badme is old by now. As it has been part of the independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia. The Eritrean government is willing to use Italian colonial maps to prove it too. That the land and territory belongs to them.
That’s why Eritrea Daily wrote this in 2005: “At worst, the status of Badme is unclear, at best, Badme is part of Eritrea and never Ethiopian. Regardless, if there is any one left that believes Ethiopia has accepted the border ruling, here is the proof to the contrary: In a clear demonstration of its defiance of the border ruling, Ethiopia today reported that it has started registering voters in the village of Eritrean Badme for the upcoming “elections.” The international community cannot remain indifferent to this Ethiopia’s provocative action?” (EDNews, 22.01.2005).
So, the Eritrean claims are old and they are pursuing them still. What is striking is the Tripartite Alliance way of violating, war-crimes and weaponizing humanitarian assistance isn’t helping the cause of Asmara. Even if the Badme triangle or parts of Badda district is belonging to Eritrea. Their forces and the acts done in Tigray region will not help them legitimizing it. Instead, there will no goodwill and no wishes of recognizing the border between the two nations. They will rather ensure the investigations into the warfare, the violations of the Geneva convention and crimes against humanity.
The Eritrean government could be within their rights and have historical basis for the territory. However, when they are known for their actions and use of force against unarmed civilians within the Tigray region. Very few to none will give them a bouquet of flowers and give the Republic more territory.
The WikiLeaks cable says this: “Legwaila, who has served as UNMEE SRSG for five years, detailed how both Ethiopia and Eritrea had initially committed to accept any decision by the EEBC, at December 2000 cease-fire talks in Algiers. Upon the announcement of the EEBC’s decision in April 2002, Ethiopia’s foreign minister hosted a celebration and issued a statement hailing the decision as a victory for both parties; however, Ethiopia had not realized that Badame had been awarded to Eritrea. The reason for this is the EEBC did not identify Badame so it took sometime for the experts to determine to whom Badame had been given. Legwaila observed that delimitation of the border (i.e., determining where it lies) was complete, whereas demarcation (i.e., placing physical markers) was stalemated. Delimitation of the border had been conducted professionally and impartially, Legwaila said, through an Asmara-based chief surveyor armed with GPS equipment and assistance from New Zealand experts, and with aerial mapping conducted by a Swedish company. Demarcation would reflect the boundaries determined by delimiation — there would be very little change, e.g. Badame would remain in Eritrea” (WikiLeaks – ‘UNITED NATIONS REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE TO MONITOR AND RESOLVE ERITREA-ETHIOPIA CRISIS’ 28.10.2008).
Time will tell if Prime Minister Abiy will honour his peace agreement with Asmara. Which is what Shabait hopes it does. The Tripartite Alliance has been favourable for the PM and his reign. That has helped his causes and he couldn’t continue or hold on so long with warfare in Ethiopia. He needs the EDF and he knows that. Therefore, if the Tripartite Alliance is able to silence and annihilate the Tigray region. That’s what the alliance wants to achieve.
Alas, the Eritrean government is clearly saying by publishing this on Shabait. That they want it legitimized and recognized. This is the what it is initially saying. While we can wonder how Mekelle is thinking about this. Since, this is taking away territory it had occupied for a few decades now. While the current federal government of Ethiopia might offer it and do it, because Abiy has a good relations with Afewerki. Peace.
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Djibouti: Commmunique – Le President Guelleh condamne avec force la tentative d’attentat contre le Premier Ministre Ethiopien (23.06.2018)
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Ethiopia: PG7 Condemns in the strongest terms possible the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed while attending a peaceful rally in Mesqel Square (23.06.2018)
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March for Ethiopia: PM Abiy Ahmed is showing hope in the midst of oppression!
The strong state and the control of the government coalition of Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and strongest party the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) are still trying to control the affairs. But the Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed is showing the way. That is why the TPLF are going regressive and dismissive against his policies. This internal problems will come more to the forefront as the days goes by. They will challenge him.
Today in Addis Ababa, a biggest rally in ages was happening and also marches with the banners and flag, that has been banned. They were a massive and biggest crowd in decades standing and listening to the Prime Minister speech in Meskel Square. What was sad that someone threw a grenade into the crowd and trying to assassinate the PM. This has again hurt innocent civilians in Ethiopia, the PM Cheif of Staff Fitsum Aregaa states that 83 is injured and 6 are in critical care. Other sources has already claimed up to 3 dead. But these numbers will vary. According to a Addis Ababa Police Commissioner Mr. Girma Kasa that 15 people endured life threatening wounds, while the rest bear less. Daniel Berhane reports that it wasn’t a grenade, but a F-1 Bomb on the gates of the Meskel Square. It is also reported that the ones attack burned a Red Cross SUV close to the square. Therefore, they we’re really trying to hurt the peaceful march and rally today.
This is happening a day after the state has also stopped their online censorship of web-pages and television channels, that was unleashing again over 200 web-pages that has been blocked. Clearly, the EPRDF and the PM are trying to make the government more open. While still, the State of Emergency is still on and the Parliament hasn’t stopped it yet.
Therefore, the PM is showing signs of positive changes in the Federal Democratic Republic, however, there are growing pains and it doesn’t happen over night. He has still a long walk to get there, but he is showing swagger and positive signs. With not only words, but state actions, freeing leaders and talks with leaders of the Opposition. Also, even meeting the delegation from Eritrea. The PM has taken steps in the right direction.
Today was to be a celebration and a march for the future of Ethiopia, today could have only been joy of the people expressing their hope and their wish for more free republic. However, the ones who cannot muster to live with that attacked the square and even tried to hurt the reformist PM. I have been skeptic to his methods, but he is really doing small steps and showing progress in a good direction. Within the system of EPRDF.
Today, the PM has proven not only with eloquent speeches, but in actions even as the enemies of change are trying to thwart it. It will not be easy, but the walk to freedom is hard. The good news is the crowds supporting the changes and that the people are ready to signal a different Ethiopia. They are ready for the New Ethiopia and not being besieged by the authorities, but actually express themselves without fear. That is about time.
The PM is showing it is possible. That is progress. Peace.
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Ethiopia: Patriotic Ginbot7 has unilaterally suspended all self-defense activities using arms (22.06.2018)
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EAPRI: Dialogue for Reconciliation, Healing, Peace and Stability in East Africa (20.06.2018)
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The release of the ONLF leaders and the others by the New Prime Minister is a positive step in the right direction (17.06.2018)
The Ethiopia’s government lead by the new PM has yesterday released eight some of key ONLF’s political leaders and officers, whose freedom it deprived years ago. These leaders were part of thousands of Ogaden Somalis detained whilst fighting the right of their people to self-determination. These heroes paid an ultimate price for their people as they languish for a period of time in various substandard detention centres under torture and the other appalling conditions. Their selfilsess sacrifices for their people won’t be forgotten for generations to come.
Although releasing them is a positive step in the right direction, still millions of Somali people are in open prison while, thousands are languishing in both official and undisclosed detention centres in Ogaden. Around two thousand who were released recently from the infamous jail Ogaden, were sent to quasi-slave labour camp under the disguise of rehabilitating them and forced to till land taken from the local people along the Shabelle river. The ONLF advises that the new Ethiopain government lead by Dr Abiy Ahmend speeds up the release of all prisoners of conscious whose freedom is denied; and stop any further abuses in Ogaden and Ethiopia.
Furthermore, the ONLF believes that as a new leader, the new prime minister has an opportunity to turn a new chapter by genuinely and seriously addressing the core issues that are the source of conflict and inestimable suffering that befell all corners of Horn of Africa with Ogaden and Eritrea as the Epicentre since the Second World War.
The only means through winch genuine and sustainable peace and security could be achieved is by mathematically recognising the rights of all nations to unfettered self-determination and genuine democracy in the Ethiopian Empire state. Moreover, the Ethiopian state must change the culture of violence in dealing with genuine demands of all peoples under its rule and its neighbours.
The ONLF is always open to genuine dialogue that is based on mutual respect and principled negotiation that adheres to internationally accepted norms and genuine desire to reach a win -win solution which is meant to seriously address the rightful demands of the Somali people in Ogaden, instead of attempting to achieve quick fixes for a problem that existed for almost a century, where many lives were lost on all sides.
Finally, the ONLF strongly believes that the multi-faceted conflict in Ethiopia only can be solved through the genuine participation of all stakeholders and that none shall be left out, including neighbouring countries that are affected. Similarly, if the International community involvement is to bear positive results, it must engage all stakeholders, instead of conveniently being selective and ignoring the multitude who bears the cost of the perennial conflict in Ethiopia
Ogaden shall be free. The Ethiopian people shall Genuine Democracy and peace.
Issued by ONLF
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Ethiopia: TPLF retaliates to the EPRDF Executive Council decision on the Algiers Agreement!
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front has retaliated towards the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Front (EPRDF) Executive Council and their wanting to respect the Algiers Agreement with the Eritrean brothers on their borders and the territory squabble. That has lasted and is why the two parties have been fighting over territory. The TPLF are really ruling the show and shown that over time, but isn’t accepting the provisions of the Executive Committee, that means the possible points from there is pointless. The TPLF and the Tigrai clearly want to have total control. They are not accepting that others are making decisions and changing the possible future. That is why these news are coming and in the future.
The TPLF are clearly reacting quickly, as this happen in the beginning of June and now in Mid-June in the first meeting of the TPLF, they are retaliating to the decisions made. The EPRDF will be guided by the TPLF, therefore, these results will be final. As they are not accepting anyone else. The Woyane has usually gotten their will in the coalition, as they have the major positions, while the other has technical and more soft places in the hierarchy.
From FANA BC:
“Addis Ababa, June 14, 2018 (FBC) – The Central Committee of the Tigray People’s Libration Font (TPLF) concluded its emergency meeting yesterday. The three-day meeting held 10-15 June, 2018 mainly deliberated on the recent decision of Executive Committee of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). In its meeting last week, the Executive Committee decided to accept and implement the Algiers Agreement and privatize state-owned enterprises. In a statement issued yesterday, the Front said that it accepts both decisions taken by the Executive Committee. However, it said, precautions should be made in the implementations of the decisions. It further said the move lacks completeness since both decisions were taken without the consultation of the EPRDF Council and affiliate parties. TPLF finally called for urgent meeting of EPRDF’s Executive Committee and Council to look into and evaluate current affairs” (FANA Broadcasting Company- ‘TPLF concludes emergency meeting’, 14.06.2018).
From Tigrai Online:
“If the current EPRDF government is contemplating to surrender the disputed Ethiopian territories which are part of the Tigrai State, it will lose more than a few patches of lands, it will be digging its own grave as a political party in Ethiopia. First the people will not allow such treasonous action to take place. Second any uncalculated hasty decision will create a huge rift among member parties. EPRDF might even split in two or more groups permanently and that would be a disaster for the party and the country” (Tigrai Online – ‘EPRDF Executive Committee decision regarding the Algiers agreement rejected by majority Ethiopians’ 14.06.2018).
This here shows the problem in the Ethiopian politics at the moment. The power of the TPLF and how they are seemingly controlling the EPRDF and the ethnic politics in Ethiopia. This here is taking it to a tee. The battle of supremacy shouldn’t need to be there, as the TPLF should be a part of the whole nation to work for progress and development. They should co-operate with all the other political groups and make good solutions for Ethiopia. Instead, they are preoccupied with controlling the political scene and the nation itself.
That is why the TPLF decision to scrap the Executive Committee agreements and the plans ahead. Proves that the Prime Minister is being stopped from progression. The TPLF don’t want to move forward. But continue to have the total control. Peace.
MinBane 