Opinion: Abiy is living on a lie

Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy is now living on lie. He might not consider that himself. The reality is that he will sooner or later realize that. The world is slow to catch this lie. They are hopeful the “progress” and “reforms” will settle in. However, that is just smokescreen to all the devious acts in the works.

It is just like the start of all of this was the consolidation of power and the inner-circle. Where the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF), the political coalition became one party. Accept the party Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which is now deemed an “terrorist” and “illegal”. A former ally turned arch-enemy and is now fighting a brutal war since the 3rd November 2020. Where the media black-out and the murky shadows of intelligence only tells smalls stories from what is happening in the region.

Alas, the Prime Minister is more bloodthirsty, as he has allies in Eritrea. He has no trouble using para-military groups like the Amhara named “Fano” to attack civilians. The PM has even gone across the border and attacked areas within Sudanese territory. That is the sort of man he his. While there was reports of supposed questions of getting reinforcement and a brigade from South Sudan. However, that never really happened, but reports that Addis Ababa was willing. Just like they had no trouble to co-ordinate attacks on Tigray together with Asmara. This really says a lot about this man.

Prime Minister Abiy who haven’t settled or created peace. A man who is feeding the fires. There are no battles within Meketel Zone. Where the armed forces are involved and 100,000 people are internally placed. God knows who many who has died there, but expect terrible numbers.

There is still conflict in Ogaden region and even across into the Afar Region. There is also skirmishes and brutal attacks on civilians from law enforcement in Oromia. It is just like everyone can be touched and get silenced by the authorities. While the supposed “enemies” are the problem. Nevertheless, the reports later on is that government forces or law enforcement was behind the fatalities. Even the sky-rocketing numbers of political prisoners who have been detained during his reign.

The Prime Minister and the state is preparing in elections. We know it is a charade. A rubberstamping exercise only to finally “legitimize” the throne. What Abiy always wanted. The glory, the throne and become King.

The man that tricked the world. That he was coming in peace. Settling old debts and scores. Wanting to resolve matters. Now his burning villages, pillaging factories and destroying lives on a daily basis. In various of zones and regions, from Tigray to Oromia. There is no Silence of the Guns. If the African Union works on doing so. Another program to get the donors to sponsor, but not do anything about it.

The Prosperity Party and their magnificent paperwork doesn’t matter. When civilians is humiliated in the streets. When sons are arrested because of the activism of their father. Freedom and liberty in the reign of Abiy is a far-fetched ideal.

Abiy isn’t a man of peace. His an old-school warlord and a warrior. He came in a cloak of peace, but he was wearing a shirt of army-fatigue underneath. His the high-priest of rule of law, but uses that as a tool to oppress the ones who stands in his way. Everyone who crosses his path and is an adversaries will suffer.

The ones who haven’t gotten that memo haven’t seen what has happened to the leadership of the Oromo Opposition Parties and neither the TPLF. That is just a mere reality we are living in. This man will bury you or let you linger indefinitely in dungeons. As long as he gets the throne and the glory. He will let you kin burn and come with all of his forces. Just to ensure your fear and admire his army. That is who Abiy is.

This is why what is happening to the civilians across the Republic. The continued rise of fatalities. The destruction of Tigray. The severe and prolonged oppression in Oromia. God knows what is happening in Afar and Ogaden. However, don’t expect it to be godly, but be bloody. That is who these men are. They are vicious and answers with guns. These folks are not coming with dialogue or peace. That is only used for publicity and the next days the place is burning again.

Prime Minister Abiy is living on a lie. It is just a matter of time before the world catches on this too. He tricked them, but at one point or another. When enough reports and stories from fleeing victims comes to the press. That will show the world who he really is and what he does. The time of reckoning is soon there.

Sometimes the world wants to be fooled. You can fool someone once, but usually your not able to do it twice. This time around he couldn’t do the trick twice, as the guns and warfare undermines his image and his supposed “vision”. Peace.

Ethiopia: United Nations agencies deliver lifeline food assistance to 25,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray (28.12.2020)

ADDIS ABABA – Eritrean refugees in two camps in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia received a month’s worth of food supplies through a joint distribution by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Ethiopia’s Agency for Refugees and Returnee Affairs (ARRA).

In coordination with Federal authorities, a convoy of 18 trucks delivered nearly 250 metric tons of corn soya blend, grains, pulses and vegetable oil to local humanitarian partners for distribution to 13,000 Eritrean refugees in Mai Ayni camp. Another nearly 240 metric tons of food were delivered to Adi Harush refugee camp to support 12,170 refugees there. WFP, UNHCR and ARRA provided monitoring support during both distributions.

“I am pleased we were able to replenish food supplies for refugees who last received two months’ worth of food in mid-October,” said Steven Were Omamo, WFP Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia. “Refugees in these camps depend on WFP food assistance for survival, and maintaining a consistent supply is a lifeline.”

Distributions began shortly after the food reached the camps, organized by ARRA, with support from WFP and UNHCR. They were completed on 23 December 2020.

“Families, women, men, children—even new-borns—have been cut off from supplies and essential services for many weeks, so this distribution was urgently needed,” said Ann Encontre, UNHCR’s Representative in Ethiopia.

“Thanks to the smooth partnership with ARRA and WFP, we were able to provide this aid. We now need to ensure that the same can be done for the remaining camps, as well as re-establish critical protection services and ensure basic needs like shelter, access to medical care and schools as quickly as possible. Every day, every hour counts,” she said.

“I am confident that UNHCR will be able to resume its full mandate in the camps very soon,” she added.

Ethiopia: TPLF accused of the Mai Kadra Massacre – was that another lie?

The government statement said the commission’s findings confirmed that forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its Samri youth group “killed hundreds of people with full intent, a plan and preparation as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population.”“The world has once again witnessed the atrocious crimes Ethiopia has to endure meted out by the TPLF criminal clique,” read the statement issued by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office” (Addis Getachew Tadesse – ‘World must condemn TPLF’s Maikadra massacre: Ethiopia’ 25.11.2020, Anadolu Agency).

The 9th November 2020 is the day of the Mai Kadra massacre or the Maikadra massacre. Where the Prosperity Party and its allies in late November 2020 have claimed a Tigrayan Youth Group named “Samri” was behind the massacre. The killings of between 600 to 700 civilians within hours with axes, machetes and other weapons.

That was what the Federal Government claimed had happened and spread the message out. However, now the witnesses from the massacre. The ones who was able to flee to Sudan has begun to speak of what they saw. Now the story is distorted and sounds more like a government supported operation, which is horrific.

The witnesses in Sudan is now claiming an Youth Group or Militia associated with the Amhara was behind the massacre. This means the “Fano” which have been very pro-active and participating in the warfare in Tigray region. The witnesses states that the Fano was attacking and killing the people while National Army was watching nearby. That is a whole other story and is tragic in itself.

If that is true. Than the government and state officials have used a state-sponsored massacre as a “smoke-screen” to blame the TPLF. Give them an further excuse to attack and go after the TPLF. This means they are willing to create a false narrative to further escalate the reasoning behind the burning of the Tigray region.

If the state is willing to lie about an massacre. What else are they willing to lie about? We know the PM has already lied about the refugees in Sudan. The PM is willing to lie about anything to look fine and dandy. Just like he said “no civilian” causality when the government took Mekelle. We all know that is a lie too. Therefore, the man in power is very conning and has no issues doing so. While he will bitch about the media and say they are spreading wrong stories. People are just supposed to eat his lies and not call him out on it.

In concern with the Mai Kadra Massacre there is a dire need for an independent investigation into the matter. Where an association or group of experts from the outside can spell it out. The PM and Federal Government is willing to lie and use that lie. It would be weird if the refugee who was a witness would lie about what he saw. A man who gotten pained by militia and ran away from it.

I just wonder. If the state could lie about this massacre. What else can it lie about in this conflict? When he PM lies about the refugees fleeing Tigray, what else is he lying about?

I don’t have the answers, but is suspect when the state first says its TPLF and Tigrayan milita. When witnesses later says it was Fano with the army in support. That is another story completely and also show a sinister side of this government. Peace.

Ethiopia-Sudan Tensions: Second round of skirmishes at the Sudanese border

On 16th December the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and Amhara Paramilitary Group (Fano) ambushed border patrol points in and around the Jabal Abutiour inside Sudanese territory. That was reported by Sudanese authorities.

There been talks since then. This was after Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok visited Addis Ababa for a few hours holding talks with Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy on the 13th December 2020.

Therefore, the new reports of shelling of border-points. On Wednesday 23rd December 2020 Ethiopian army and same Amhara paramilitary group attacked Sudanese army points in Jebel Abu Tuyor in Eastern El Gedaref.

This is the second time in the same month the Ethiopian forces are attacking the region and creating tensions. The Sudanese is at defence and have moved more soldiers to region because of it. That is public knowledge too. As after the first attack earlier in the month. Days after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) moved troops there.

The talks seems to futile… what is really staggering that the Nations agreed on the border and the disputed area back in April 2020. The Al-Fashqa region became officially Sudanese. However, with the current warfare. Maybe Addis thinks they can annex another region too?

This here is really worrying as the escalation is furthered. The prevalence of armed forces. The true usage of armed forces to prove a point. What is also striking is how you in one minute calls the Sudanese your brothers and the nano-seconds after the positive headlines. Your forces is attacking the brothers again. Not like the Sudanese has attacked Ethiopians or crossed into Ethiopian territory here. They have only fortified areas, which is theirs.

Just to prove the tragedy. Here is two excerpts from news sources on both attacks. First 16th December and then 23rd December 2020.

Sudan’s armed forces said on Wednesday that a number of its officers had been ambushed by “Ethiopian forces and militias” during a security patrol of the border region. “During the return of our forces from combing the area around Jabal Abutiour inside our territory, they were ambushed by Ethiopian forces and militias inside Sudanese territory, as a result of which lives and equipment were lost,” the army said, adding the attack took place on Tuesday” (Asharq Al-Awsat – ‘Sudan Says Officers Ambushed by Ethiopian ‘Forces and Militias’ during Patrol’ 16.12.2020).

On Wednesday evening, Ethiopian army and militia forces shelled the site of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Jebel Abu Tuyour in eastern El Gedaref. Sudanese army forces clashed with Ethiopian reconnaissance forces near Wad Kouli” (Radio Dabanga – ‘New Ethiopian attack on Sudanese army forces in El Gedaref’ 25.12.2020).

If you see a pattern, I do. Both attacks was on a Wednesday and seems planned now. It isn’t just a coincidence that the ENDF and Fano suddenly ambush and attacks Sudanese border points. Neither is the weird outskirts of battlefields in Tigray region. No, these seems suspiciously planned. You don’t stumble on the humble a border point of a neighbouring nation.

If it was a one time thing and a boo-boo, but when you use heavy machinery and coordinate two military groups. Then it starts to seemed planned. The Sudanese better be prepared. It is like the Ethiopian authorities are testing the waters and seeing how far they can get.

While the Sudanese needs not only to fortify the area. They need to be mentally prepared. That the same folks that is hunting their own. Can easily come here for the same blood-thirst. Prime Minister Abiy isn’t a man of peace, but a warlord. That is what 2020 have told me. Peace.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Statement – Beninhangul Gumuz: Restoring Peace & Security to the Region and Situation of Persons Internally Displaced by the Attack (25.12.2020)

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – Press Release – Konzo Zone: Recurring Conflict and Human Rights Crisis (25.12.2020)

Ethiopia: Press Release by Hibir-Ethiopian Multinational Federalist Support Forces (EMFSF) – (15.12.2020)

 

Ethiopia: Abiy released his article of manipulation ahead of Christmas Day

Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy released his article “Operations to Restore Law and Order in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region: How Did We Get Here?” on the 24th December 2020 on his own webpage. Where he could write and explain again the reasons for the Tigray conflict. As he needs to white-wash the conflict and ensure he has the people on his side. As the warfare continues in Tigray. Which it has done since the 4th November 2020.

The Prime Minister begins with: “As I’ve said before, my own life has taught me that war is “the epitome of hell for all involved”. I did not come to office to take my people to hell; on the contrary, I came to office with a commitment to lead my people towards peace and prosperity” (Abiy, 2020).

This is the same Prime Minister that has issued law enforcement on civilians all across the Republic. Gone hard against the Oromo and their activists. Created fake coup d’etat’s and nothing has ever appeared since. Except the appointments of more token loyalists of him. The Prime Minister talks of hell, but has no issues ordering that on his civilians for the cause of his own hubris.

He continues: “Following their surprise attack on their own unsuspecting fellow Ethiopians, it didn’t take long for the TPLF leadership to start celebrating and gloating in public about their prowess and invincibility in war and how they have now transformed themselves, overnight, into the largest fighting force in the entire Horn of Africa” (Abiy, 2020).

What is striking about this tale about the surprise attack. Was that in advance of this. The ENDF had already transported and aired in soldiers across the borders to Eritrea. To secure the Federal Government could attack the region on more fronts than one. Therefore, the idea that it was done in total darkness and surprise seems weird to me. Especially, when the Eritrean operatives and army also have participated. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister has a story to sell and he has to push the narrative.

The PM continues: “My primary duty as prime minister and commander in chief is to protect the nation and its people from internal and external enemies. That is why the Federal Government launched and successfully executed defensive operations to restore law and order in the Tigray Region, regrettably making the use of force the only tool left in our arsenal” (Abiy, 2020).

The man who quickly said in the end of November 2020 that the 3rd Phase was over. Now, states the defensive measures are over. That shows that he shifts the goal-post and the mission objectives. Unless, his winging it and trying to make sense of the sudden changes. It is weird that its law and order when the Federal Government is killing civilians, causing pain and suffering in the name of the Constitution. That is restoring law and order. Then, I am sure people miss the days of the anarchy and outlaws. Air-strikes and missile launches, soldiers in the streets and Fano burning villages is surely not bringing constitutional order, but more havoc.

He says further: “At the same time, I also know that the Federal Government was forced to engage in this operation for existential reasons – the future of Ethiopia as a sovereign nation and the peaceful co-existence of its people was at stake. The heavy cost we incurred as a nation was necessary” (Abiy, 2020).

Nobody forced him to do this. He can claim so now. However, the planned enterprise is clear. The TPLF might played along with it. As you knew perfectly well what would happen and you would eat in glory if they were all fallen by now. However, you haven’t been able to crack the TPLF leadership or their Executive Committee. Therefore, the “Law Enforcement Operation” haven’t worked perfectly. Alas, you have caused pain and suffering on innocent civilians. He speaks of that, but nobody force anyone to order soldiers on your own civilians. That is blatant lie. The PM could have chosen another path and if he believed so. Abiy could have talked and have dialogue with the one party that didn’t dissolve into the Prosperity Party. So, how its existential to annihilate one party is beyond me. Unless, he wants to become a proper “one-party” state?

In the end he says: “At the same time, the peace and security we have restored at so much cost remain fragile. That is why we are determined to ensure our next elections, scheduled to take place in mid-2021, are fair, free, and inclusive, and that the people of Tigray, like all other Ethiopians, shall soon be led by a regional government of their free own choice” (Abiy, 2020).

When the state is all one-sided and only for one-party. Well, it is a lie that they will be free and fair. These elections are rigged long before they even are scheduled. As the main opponents are either labelled “terrorist” like TPLF or behind bars like the Oromo leadership is. Therefore, the up-coming election is a affair in favour of PP and their “yes-men”. Another election made to secure the “status-quo” and the one man victor. There will be no free and fair elections. Not during the tenure of Abiy.

He will force the results and pre-fix it in a manner, which has been usually during the days of EPRDF. There will be no difference with him. The PM might thinks his words and his publicity stunts will change that. However, the mere actions done by the PM is disconnect from his words. That is why it’s impossible to get free and fair elections. When the Oromo is in jail and the Tigray is burning.

That is why this is trying to manipulate and manufacture a story. When he lies this easily and writes like this. It is evident his not even trying to tell the truth. Just like he did with other stories to in connection to the warfare in Tigray. Sooner or later someone with a bigger platform than mine will address it and undermine his stories. Peace.

Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – Call on Anti-War organizations, Think Tanks, Movements and the International Community to Urge the Federal Government of Ethiopia to Stop the War and Open Unfettered Humanitarian Access in Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia (15.12.2020)

Ethiopia: 53 Political Parties have lost their licences in 2020

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) have been pre-occupied with preparing for elections for a long time now. As the House of Federation have postponed the General Elections, which is slated now for 2021. Because of that the NEBE have twice run through the procedures and gathering information, documents and signatures of the parties. To check if they are viable or are working accordingly to the law.

With this in mind ahead of the elections. The NEBE have two times year revoked parties licenses. First in May 2020 and now in December 2020. They are clearly doing it with a iron-fist. As they are really targeting plenty of parties here. The NEBE had a base of requirements and all of these parties didn’t cut it.

It is a massive load of parties. Today alone 26 parties lost their licences to operate and in May 2020 it was 27 more. That is an total of 53 parties that has lost their licences just this year. On this is list isn’t Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) which are now a “terrorist organization” and enemies of the state. This was a political party until the conflict in November 2020. However, that party was neither listed nor in the discussion of NEBE at this point.

Here are the two lists.

26 cancelled parties of 22nd December 2020:

The Existence of Amhara for Ethiopian Unity

Oromo Unity and Democracy Federal Peace Change Party

Oromo Abo Liberation Front

Oromo Independence Unity Front

United Oromo Liberation Front

Oromo Liberation Democratic Front

Oromia Liberation Democratic Party

Ethiopian Democratic Party

Dube and Degeni National Democratic Party

Agwo Democratic Party

Oromo Democratic Union

All Ethiopian National Movement

Oromo National Congress

Oromia Independence National Party

Union for Democracy and Freedom

Somali Patriotic Party

Afar Revolutionary Party

Somali Regional Democratic Union

Consultation for Unity and Democracy Party

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Ethiopian Peace and Democratic Party (EPDP)

Unity for Democracy and Justice Party:

Ethiopian People’s National Movement

Nezberake Amhara Organization

Unity of the People of Finfine for Justice and Democracy

Harari Revival Movement

There was a list from 15th May 2020 too with another list of parties that was revoked their licenses. Therefore this is second big drive of cutting away parties and taking away their licenses to operate. The previous list of parties was these:

Full list of parties whose licenses have been revoked:

1. Ethiopian Democratic Unity Movement

2. Geda System Advancement Party

3. Yem Nation Democratic Movement

4. Denta Dubamo Kechinchila People Democratic Organization

5. Ethiopian National Unity Congress

6. Tigre Worji Nationality Democratic Organization

7. All Amhara People’s Organization

8. Ethiopian Unity Democratic Organization

9. All Amhara People’s party

10. Ethiopians National Movement

11. Southern Ethiopia Democratic Congress

12. Sheko and Regional People Democratic Organization

13. Freedom and Peace for Ethiopia Unity Party

14. Ethiopian Visionary Party

15. All Ethiopian Democratic Party

16. Kambata People’s Congress

17. Hadiya Nation Democratic Organization

18. Omo People’s Democratic Union

19. Dil Webi People’s Democratic Movement

20. Bench people’s Democratic Organization

21. Silte People’s Democratic Party

22. Afar People’s Liberation Party

23. Somali Unity Party

24. Freedom for Unity and for Justice Party

25. South-West Ethiopia People Union

26. National Renaissance for Peace and Development

27. Gambella Regional Movement” (FANABC – ‘NEBE cancels licenses of 27 political parties’ 15.05.2020).

We are clearly seeing direct act of the government towards these parties. They are really taking out as many as possible. So there is less choices. Some of these parties was most like partly defunct and some was “brief-case parties” but others we cannot know. However, the reactions to the revoked licenses should say something.

If there is no reaction or no dismay over the deregistering of them. Then they didn’t have a purpose or a platform to begin with. They were only an entity on paper for someone who had an idea, but never made it happen. NEBE is issued to this and check their registries, but doing it at this big of scale. Speaks volumes of their actions and we can wonder what they really want to achieve.

That is for another day. Peace.