Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength”: A Timeless Orwellian Lession (14.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Jawar – Government forces are profiting of the extorting the families who falls victim to the rising kidnappings in the Republic

Over the past year, alarm has been mounting over the worsening crisis of kidnappings for ransom by armed groups in Ethiopia. Although these crimes are often attributed to non-state actors, reports have also implicated government forces in colluding with various armed groups and sharing in the profits. To make matters worse, a disturbing trend has emerged: state actors are now openly justifying kidnappings for ransom. Amid ongoing civil wars, the government is increasingly relying on forced conscription to fill its ranks. Initially, the primary targets were underprivileged youth, particularly day laborers working far from their home villages. However, the focus has recently shifted to youth from wealthier families. Reports indicate that local security officials are detaining young men as they return from school or social venues and forcibly transporting them to temporary detention facilities. While the captured youth await transportation to training camps, brokers approach their families, offering to secure the release of their sons in exchange for substantial payments. These ransoms range from 100,000 to 500,000 birr, depending on the family’s wealth. Officials and brokers can easily access family income data from banks and tax records, enabling them to assess the targets  ability to pay and determine how much to demand. Those without cash on hand have been forced to borrow from friends or raise funds through their afosha (እድር). Scared of being the next victim, many young men have gone into hiding  abandoning their studies  and jobs. Perhaps driven by its financial incentives, this recent forced conscription is not limited to remote rural villages; families in major cities and towns have now become the primary targets. This is not merely based on reports from across the country—a family I personally know had to pay 300,000 birr to secure their son’s release just a few days ago. Such extortion, at a time when the cost of living has become unbearable, is cruel” (Jawar Mohammed, 12.11.2024).

This here should shake the system. It just shows what is wrong with the political landscape and how the conflicts are enforced. The Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have failed the youth and the future generations.

The current leadership haven’t secured the people or ensuring safety. That’s why militias and government forces can extort and get bribe out the ransom after they kidnap people. This is insecurity and misuse of power. They are doing it because the state allows it and see it as a profitable business. It is a sort of mafia-state and using the monopoly of violence to enforce bribes and extortion. The victims are unlucky targets and people who was to close to the sun.

The story and tale that the Mohammed Jawar is addressing shows the sinister part of the current regime. When this can be so systematic and planned efforts. This is a business and they are securing their “ends” by doing this. That’s what is happening here…

It has to be amplified and told, again and again. The state shouldn’t do this and government forces are behind it. Not only insurgent or rebels. No, this is state actors and people with connection with the state who is behind it. They are all part of the problem and the citizens are in danger as a cause of it. That’s why people are going into hiding and seeking shelter elsewhere.

This is a warning and it shows how the Medemer Terror continues to haunt the population. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) – A Response to the Second COHA Anniversary Statement by the Honorable Anthony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State Department (06.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Union of Tigrayans in North America (UTNA) – Open Letter – Second COHA Anniversary Statement (04.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Tigray Independence Party – Open letter from the Tigray Independence Party (TIP) – Concerns Regarding Misleading Statements About Internally Displaced Persons in Recent U.S. State Department Press Release (04.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Global Soceity of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – Marking the Second Anniversary of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) and Urging Its Immediate Full Implementation (04.11.2024)

Ethiopia: The ENAT Party calls the alarm on the increase of massacres in the Republic…

“It has been more than three decades since the tribal politics that our country Ethiopia is running divided our people by ethnicity and ended it without any one to say hi. The massacres that follow this have increased like never before in our country in the last five and six years and their actions are worse than the day by day. It is known by the people of our country and the international community that chose silence” (ENAT, 03.11.2024).

The opposition party, the mother party or the ENAT Party released a Press Release yesterday. As there are defaults and stories need to be published. The radio silence and normalization of the extra judicial killing of civilians in the Republic. The usage of lethal force against unarmed civilians. This is happening at a rate that is astonishing.

The ENAT Party is speaking the truth here. There is a need to tell these stories.

“The mother party has repeatedly emphasized that the power of the country should be taken out of the country and solve the problems by negotiating around the table. Therefore, it has been emphasized in the previous times that all parties should be willing and ready. In a situation where there is no interest in doing this, the mass killings committed by both sides on our innocent citizens are war crimes. When the country comes back to its senses, it should not be forgotten even for a moment that the life of every citizen lost in violence will bring accountability. Our party would like to request this opportunity to allow our poor people to get out of their problems to live until the day passes. It is believed that it was possible to prevent and prevent the massacre that happened in the district and then reduce the damage by melting it. We believe that it is foolishness to look for the criminals and ask for justice to the victims” (ENAT, 03.11.2024).

This government and authorities have failed the nation. The Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have caused more insecurity and more violence while being in office. The leadership itself has chosen the path of war and civil war instead of creating peace. They are inflicting more conflict and more insecurity in the Republic.

That ENAT Party must ring the alarm is concerning. This should have been done by the authorities and the state itself. As it is in-charge and has the supposed monopoly on violence. Because the state is supposed to ensure safety and the livelihoods of the citizens. The state is supposed to create a safe atmosphere and make it liveable. Instead, it is one of the actors and one of the agents of lethal acts. The state is by default one of the reasons why there are massacres and insecurity. The value of human life is decreasing, and the life can easily be taken for one man to consolidate power. That’s who he is…

It is tragic that is occurring and is a regular event in 2024. The massacres are too common, and people’s lives aren’t valued. The Prime Minister and his government have failed the people. That’s what is happening, and the reality is clear. This won’t be resolved anytime soon, as the state rather try to annihilate their enemies than speaking to them. Only if they can compromise or weaken them to a level that they adjust to the needs of the government. Then things will happen and be silent for moment. However, we should never trust an agreement with a warlord.

ENAT Party is speaking the truth, and it needs to said! Lives are at stake… and more people will lose their lives because of the choices the government is making. Peace.

Ethiopia: Assimba Democratic Party – Statement (31.10.2024)

There are two main ideologies that are offered as solutions to the current political crisis in Tigray.

The first is the idea that one group must win and lead as a dominant force,

The second view is that an inclusive assumption should be established that involves all political forces in consideration and outside consideration.

The first option cannot bring a lasting solution.

Because we do not have an elected government, the conflict is continued by overthrowing one group and bringing the other group to power but by involving all those who contributed to the war of extermination, whether in power or not. It is a behavior that disrupts our unity and makes us vulnerable to enemies.

Therefore, at this crucial time, the best option and lasting solution for Tigrayans should be to choose an inclusive, inclusive, second option.

Assimba Democratic Party (NDP)

October 31/2024

Ethiopia: Three Hs of Doom…

“Ethiopia’s goal is not eating three times a day. You may recall that Ethiopia’s aspiration was once said to be having three meals a day, but prosperity doesn’t see it this way. Eating three times a day does not guarantee prosperity. Humans do not live for food alone. Eating three times a day cannot be our ultimate goal. Our baseline goal is to achieve the three Hs. The first one is happiness; we want to foster happiness, regardless of whether you eat twice or six times a day. So one can smile day in and day out. The second is harmony; to build harmony among different groups. The third is human excellence. With human excellence and well-organized human capital, sustainable development becomes possible” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (29.10.2024).

My oh my… oh the noble men has fallen. Gracious lord almighty, please save us all. This cannot be it. The snakeoil and the deceptions has to be over. People cannot buy into the schemes and the spells of the Prime Minister anymore. This isn’t legit and is a sign of epic failure of the Prosperity Party and the whole Medemer agenda that has in turn become a terror.

Certainly, the Prime Minister is delusional and without merits talking, as if it doesn’t matter or is a real basic concern. Food security and ensuring food on the plates is the first things people do. They ensure they have food and tries to get more than enough. The people plan and try to get enough money or salaries to buy the needed for the day and the next meal. So, someone talking about other thing is disgusting.

This is what a Warlord do. A Lord of War, who is preoccupied with settling scores and becoming the dominant force. That’s why he wants to control the consumption of food and how the state assess happiness. He wants to have an oversight over the citizens and how they live their lives. Meanwhile, they cannot complain about the lack of food or anything basic for that matter. As it is a part of bigger plan to build also harmony and human excellence. That’s just the hogwash that the Prime Minister is serving the public.

A Federal Republic that has during his time ensured that people aren’t accessing or having the ability to eat. A man who has stifled and stopped humanitarian aide to conflict zones. That’s who speaks like this and it shows. This is who the PM is and where his heart is at. He doesn’t mind people starving, as long as they can smile and be happy. Who is happy going around without food or covering their basic needs? Really, the PM is fooling no one here and he wouldn’t approve of lacking anything either. That’s why his building a palace for himself and using the state funds to finance his wars.

This isn’t funny, but a tragic way of seeing things. It is bound to cause more harm and this ideology is only showing where his “moral ambiguity is”. As he can flex things and be bendable, as long as his overcoming an obstacle in the end. That people where suffering and lacked their basic needs. It doesn’t matter, as long as the PM and his allies crushed, destroyed and humiliated whoever he fought against at this very moment. That’s who the PM is and he tells it like it is.

He cannot try to sell porkies like these now. We have seen how he acts and what he does to consolidate power. The shadow games are getting old. Meanwhile the people are suffering as a cause of it and he bashes in glory. That’s what he does and the price of his reign will be on anyone who lives and resides in the Republic. It is the grim reality and this man has no bounds for his viciousness. That is proven over the years and sooner or later he will create even more hostility and more humanitarian needs just to ensure his total annihilation of his enemies. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray Independence Party (TIP) – Open letter to the International Community – Urgent Appeal Regarding Human Rights Violations Against the Tigray Independence Party (TIP) and its Members (18.10.2024)