The Ethiopian protests in the provinces end in ‘State of Emergency’ another way to oppress the Amhara and Oromo regions!

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Just as the months of demonstrations in Amhara, Oromo and Ogaden regions the Ethiopian Government under the Tigray Central Government under Prime Ministre Hailemariam Desalegne has order a State of Emergency. This happens as several foreign businesses are either pulling out of the regions or feeling the fear of being burned down by protestors. The reality is that the Government have already set in the Agazi Squad of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) under the Ethiopian People’s Revolution Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The Amhara demonstrations and Ogaden demonstrations has been in general peaceful, but with some reactions towards the government has given land to foreign companies instead of giving the needed support to the locals. 

PM Hailemariam Desalegne said on TV:

“A state of emergency  has been declared  because the situation posed a threat against the people of the country” Hailemariam said on state run tv” (Reuters, 09.10.2016).

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State of Emergency:

“The Council of Ministers has declared a state of emergency that will be effective as of Saturday evening so as to deal with anti-peace elements that have allied with foreign forces and are jeopardizing the peace and security of the country,” the state Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation announced Sunday morning” (FaroukFahima, 2016).

Breaking News: The minority and most hated regime in #Ethiopia declares state of emergency. The regime is in war against the people” (ERITREA Hadelibi, 09.10.2016).

There has also been reported on Friday that both Dutch Flowering companies working in Oromia and Amhara are planning to shut-down production in the area. This being Esmeralda Farms, Africa Juice and other 11 companies has been or trying to close their operation in Ethiopia. Other businesses have been burned down by the demonstrators as they are feeding the government with tax monies and do it weakening the authorities. This company has also been reported being behind the land-grabs in the regions, something that are escalating the anger towards the Central Government and their policies towards the citizens.

Zewya Prison have been set a blazed by demonstrators as the government are using their army. There been heard of gun shootings as well.

There been reported that the TPLF are keeping their loyal henchman in Amhara, as the regional president Hon. Ato Gedu Andargachew are to stay in power. Even with all the problems and demonstrations he is still trusted by the Addis Ababa government.

The army and Agazi Sqaud have been reported being responsible for the killings amounting up to 700 people, because the #OromoProtests are violating the control and insecurity of the Central Government. The Oromo people are fighting for their justice as the Central Government are keeping them under control now with surveillance, army and curfew in the region. Since November 2015, the amount of fallen people during the Oromo Protest has been calculated to 2500. That is extreme numbers to die under protests in peace-time.

That is happening as the Army has also sent brigades to the Amhara region where towns has been attacked and taken over by the Agazi squad. They have had assassins on the roof tops of Bahar Dir and Gonder/Gondar.

There also been reports that the TPLF and the EPRDF has moved all ammunitions and heavy artillery to the Tigray district. As they have sent major armies that we’re reported a month ago or so to be in the levels of 25,000 soldiers to Amhara alone. That is not setting the levels of army presence in the Oromo region.

In Addis Ababa the roads are now blocked by the government as the locals and demonstrations are throwing rocks at the cars moving in the area.

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This here proves the vital problems of the State of Emergency created by the Central Government as they are trying to kill their way into silencing the Amhara, Oromo and Ogaden, this is happening the same week as the Government supposed to celebrate a feet of having a new railway between Addis Ababa and Djibouti where the Chinese are operating and training Ethiopians to run it.

The Central Government are now using excessive force as they are not even happy with the martial laws set in regions, therefore added their repressive behaviour and killing squads of the Agazi Squad of the ENDF. The ENDF are there to stop the burning of foreign businesses, because that hurt the pocket of the controlling TPLF government.

There will be more, when the reports are coming, this is a worry and the world should care that the country that has the African Union and seemingly are in-charge of the  Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). So with that in mind the Government should care more for their citizens as their responsibility to be a example is now far-gone because of the ways the silencing and killings of their citizens are happening in Oromo and Amhara regions. They are continuing as the government are not only having issues in Ogaden, as they are acting questionable in Somali Region as well. Peace.

Reference:

Faroukfahima – ‘Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency’ (09.10.2016) link: http://www.forumspotz.ng/ethiopia-declares-state-of-emergency/

Footage: On 5 October 2016, AfDB President Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina receives his African Passport, symbol of continental integration

Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, concerning referral from the Gabonese Republic (29.09.2016)

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On 21 September 2016, I received a referral from the Government of the Gabonese Republic regarding the situation in Gabon since May 2016 with no end-date. In reference to article 14 of the Rome Statute, Rule 45 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and Regulation 25(1)(b) of the Regulations of the Office of the Prosecutor, the Government of the Gabonese Republic requests the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) “to open an investigation without delay”.

In accordance with the requirement of the Rome Statute my Office will be conducting a preliminary examination in order to establish whether the criteria for opening an investigation are met. A preliminary examination is not an investigation but a process of examining the information available in order to reach a fully informed determination on whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation pursuant to the criteria established by the Rome Statute.

Specifically, under article 53(1) of the Rome Statute, as Prosecutor, I must consider issues of jurisdiction, admissibility and the interests of justice in making this determination. The Office gives due consideration to all submissions and views conveyed to it during the course of a preliminary examination, strictly guided by the requirements of the Rome Statute and in the independent and impartial exercise of its mandate.

My Office will examine information regarding crimes allegedly committed by any groups or individuals involved in the situation. Where a referral is accompanied by supporting documentation that identifies potential perpetrators, my Office is not bound or constrained by the information contained therein when conducting investigations in order to determine whether specific persons should be charged. After careful analysis of all available information, I shall make a determination that will be made public in due course.

The Gabonese Republic is a State Party to the Rome Statute, and as such, the ICC has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on the territory or by nationals of Gabon since 1 July 2002, the date when the Statute entered into force in Gabon.

Referral under Article 14 of the Rome Statute submitted by the Gabonese Republic

Power of Attorney

For background, see The Office of the Prosecutor’s Policy Paper on Preliminary Examinations, November 2013, particularly par. 27

The Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC conducts independent and impartial preliminary examinations, investigations and prosecution of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Office has been conducting investigations in: Uganda; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; the Central African Republic (two separate investigations); Kenya; Libya; Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Georgia. The Office is also conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Afghanistan; Burundi; the registered vessels of Comoros, Greece and Cambodia; Colombia; Guinea; Iraq/UK; Palestine, Nigeria and Ukraine.

mailto:OTPNewsDesk@icc-cpi.int

Bongo hints at including opposition in new government (Youtube-Clip)

“In Gabon, President Ali Bongo is looking to form a new government, after the constitutional court declared him the winner of the disputed presidential election. Bongo says he would “most likely” include his political opponents in the new administration. But the opposition continues to reject his victory. Thuli Tshabalala has more” (CCTV Africa, 2016).

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the situation in the Gabonese Republic (23.09.2016)

Gabon Parliament

The Secretary-General underlines that those who instigate or commit violence must be held accountable.

NEW YORK, United States of America, September 23, 2016 – As the Constitutional Court of the Gabonese Republic prepares to make its ruling on the disputes emanating from the presidential election of 27 August 2016, the Secretary-General calls on the authorities, including the security agencies, to fully respect human rights and fundamental freedoms during this challenging period.

The Secretary-General strongly urges all actors, in particular the political leaders and their followers, to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from any form of violence and remain calm ahead of and after the Court’s ruling. Any additional loss of life in Gabon is unacceptable. It is the responsibility of the authorities and political leaders to ensure that the violence witnessed after the announcement of the provisional results of the presidential election on 31 August is not repeated.

The Secretary-General underlines that those who instigate or commit violence must be held accountable. Disagreements between the parties should be expressed peacefully.

The Secretary-General encourages the victorious candidate will engage in genuine national dialogue towards inclusive democratic governance and the rule of law, including reforms in the management of future elections. The United Nations stands ready to support these efforts.

Burundi: EU renews sanctions until 31 October 2017 (20.09.2016)

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These measures consist of a travel ban and asset freeze against four persons whose activities were deemed to be undermining democracy or obstructing the search for a political solution to the crisis in Burundi.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, September 20, 2016 – On 20 September 2016, the Council renewed the EU restrictive measures against Burundi until 31 October 2017. These measures consist of a travel ban and asset freeze against four persons whose activities were deemed to be undermining democracy or obstructing the search for a political solution to the crisis in Burundi. These activities include acts of violence, repression or incitement to violence, and acts which constitute serious human rights violations.

The EU has repeatedly and continuously called on all parties to refrain from, and to condemn, any acts of violence. This is essential if the conditions for progress in the search for a political solution to the crisis are to be put in place and maintained.

The Council considered that the absence of progress in the situation regarding the four persons under restrictive measures justified the prolongation of the sanctions.

The names of the persons concerned and the reasons for listing them are included in the annex to the decision of 1 October 2015 published in the Official Journal.

295 000 refugees flee violence in Burundi (Youtube-Clip)

“A year after political violence erupted in Burundi, nearly 300 000 people have fled to neighboring Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo. More than half of those fleeing are women and children who must start their lives over in foreign lands with little more than the basic necessities they fled with.  Life in the refugee camps is a daily challenge for women and girls. They face not only food shortage and poverty, but also higher rates of sexual and domestic violence, and increased chances of early marriage. UN Women sets up “Safe Spaces” in refugee camps to offer income opportunities and business training for women, as well as psycho-social counselling and trauma assistance” (United Nations, 2016)

Communique de Presse du Facilitateur Edem Kodjo: Reprise des Travaux en Commissions du Dialouge Politique National Inclusif (15.09.2016)

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Communique: 624th PSC Meeting on the post- electoral situation in Gabon (14.09.2016)

Gabon Election

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 624th Meeting, held on 13 September 2016, adopted the following decision on the post- electoral situation in Gabon:

Council:

  1. Takes Note of the briefing made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the latest developments in the situation in Gabon, following the proclamation of the provisional results of the Presidential Election held in that country on 27 August 2016. Council Welcomes the outcome of the Mission undertaken by the Commissioner for Peace and Security to Libreville and Ndjamena from 8 to 10 September 2016, particularly to consult the Gabonese stakeholders about the envisaged visit to the country of a high-level delegation composed of African Heads of State, led by the Current Chairman of the African Union, H.E. President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad;
  2. Recalls the Press Statement PSC/PR/BR.DCXX of its 620th Meeting held on 2 September 2016. Council, reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty of Gabon, recalls also the relevant provisions, among others, of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Protocol Relating to Establishment of the Peace and Security Council and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance;
  3. Welcomes the initiatives taken by the Current Chairman of the AU, H.E. Idriss Deby Itno, as well as the Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in the search for an early resolution of the post-electoral situation in Gabon, in respect of the will of the Gabonese people as expressed on 27 August 2016. Council expresses its appreciation to the countries of the region, through the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), as well as to the partners, in particular the United Nations, for their continued support to AU efforts in Gabon;
  4. Takes Note, with satisfaction, of the appeal lodged with the Constitutional Court by the candidates to the Presidential Election, thus using legal and constitutional means as provided for the resolution of any dispute related to the result of the ballot;
  5. Stresses the importance of the conclusion of the appeals process submitted by the candidates to the presidential election, in a transparent and regular manner, thus contributing to the entrenchment of democracy in Gabon, as well as to promotion of peace and stability in the country and in the region. Council requests the Commission, in close cooperation with the partners concerned, and within the respect of the sovereignty of Gabon, to support the relevant Gabonese institutions in their efforts aimed at enhancing the transparency and credibility of the review process, as well as the proclamation of the final results of the Presidential Election of 27 August 2016 by the Constitutional Court;
  6. Requests the Commission to deploy observers, who will be chosen from among eminent members of high African French speaking jurisdictions, to assist the Constitutional Court of Gabon, in accordance with the modalities to be determined by common agreement with the said Court, as well as in compliance with the rules of procedure and the relevant provisions of title VI of the Gabonese Constitution;
  7. Appeals to the partners to continue to support AU’s initiatives in Gabon;
  8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

AU condoles with Tanzania following Earthquake (13.09.2016)

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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma sends a message of condolence to the Government and people of Tanzania following Saturday’s earthquake.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 13, 2016 -The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma sends a message of condolence to the Government and people of Tanzania following Saturday’s earthquake that hit the North – Western part of Tanzania. The earthquake is reported to have claimed 16 lives and injured over 200 people.

“On behalf of the African Union, the AU Commission and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of Tanzania, and particularly to the families of those that lost their loved ones,” she said.

The AU Commission Chairperson further wishes the injured victims a quick recovery and expressed the AU’s solidarity with the victims and the people of Tanzania in these tragic circumstances.