Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigray Scholars (GSTS) – Call for Turkey to Stand with the People of Tigray – The Land of the First Hirja (19.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Tigray Independence Party (TIP) – Press Release (18.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Abiy’s message yesterday was loud and clear Part II

Context to the ‘Statement on Current Affairs and a National Call Issued by PMO on 10 August 2021 – THREAD

As terrorist TPLF’s aggressions continue unabated, Federal Government and the people of Ethiopia are being forced to employ all means to defend their communities. The statement pertains to saving a nation from the overt declaration by TPLF to disintegrate the country. The ENDF, Special Forces and Regional Militias have been instructed to halt the destruction by TPLF. The call is to eligible Ethiopians to join ENDF, while others are being called upon to organize at every level and protect their communities from neighborhoods to cities. This call is also to members of the large Diaspora community that Ethiopia has globally, to do their part in continuing the expose the terrorist organization for what it is and to mobilize all forms of support in maintaining the sovereignty and continuity of Ethiopia. Despite the continued international media mischaracterization of the statement alluding that this call is against the Tigray region, such divisive narrative formations point more to irresponsibility of other actors than it does of the intention and spirit of the call” (Office of the Prime Minister, 13.08.2021).

These are the days when the Prime Minister and his war-cry is following backlash. It is just like the man cannot take accountability for his actions and orders. The PM and Prosperity Party should be held accountable and be transparent about it too. It is not like the international media and outlets took it out of context. The warfare has been steady since November 2020. While the PM and PP had a long time quarrel with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The dismissal and blockade of the Tigray region happened long before the November 2020. The central government had already retaliated and tried to use commandos to annihilate TPLF leadership. However, that was stopped in the nick-of-time. That was happening because the TPLF didn’t become one “wing” or “regional state party” like other previous parties who became the PP. That hurt the pride of Abiy and he sought out military means instead of using dialogue or mediation between the parties. Just like he does now and has done over the last year.

The call from the Prime Minister on the 10th August 2021 was clear. It was no ifs or buts about the issue. The PM statement to the general public wasn’t a peaceful text, but a cry for help. A message to ask everyone to follow the call and take to arms. Let everyone who has a pulse of eligible age to conscript either for the army, regional special forces or militias even. That is with intention, as the state needs all troops and guns it can to be able to win at this point.

The Tigray Defence Force (TDF) together with allies is advancing. The state is losing grounds not only in Tigray, but in Amhara, Afar and in Oromia as well. It is not like the TDF is the only enemy of the state. There are other Liberation Movements who goes against the PP and the PM. That’s why the PM and PP has failed the state and it’s citizens. This battle for supreme power and total control has backfired.

The PM knows that his house is burning and he got no current team to beat the flames. This because he risked everything and thought his Generals would save his cause. That’s why the PM and his allies ordered the war, as they anticipated a brief and quick war against the TPLF/TDF. They had the brigades and the war-machine circulating around the region before the attack on the Northern Command. The PM and Eritrean President in coordination with the Amhara Regional State leadership was all prepared and could easily send in troops into the region. This is why the PM was so proud and mighty in the end of November 2020. Which was the supposed end of “Law Enforcement Operation”… and he still had to call for arms in August 2021. That says it all about the cause, the effect and the current will to go to war from Addis Ababa. Peace.

Ethiopia: The newest OCHA Situation Reports is showing little to no progress in Tigray region …

The warfare and escalation of conflicts across the Ethiopian republic is costing the civilians and the citizens. As the state is has recently issued for every individual citizen of eligible age to participate and conscript to the army, special forces and even militias to beat the Tigray Defence Force (TDF).

The state is clearly not winning or doing well on the battlefield. The OCHA Ethiopia is showing no signs of betterment, as it is still 5,2 millions in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Tigray Region alone. That is not counting the people internally displaced in Amhara region or in Afar region as well. As there is also army movements within Oromia region by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).

What is striking and says a lot about the current time in the region is this: “The situation in Tigray, and the spillover of the conflict to neighboring Afar and Amhara regions, is very dynamic and

unpredictable. While humanitarian access within Tigray has significantly improved, with an estimated 75 per cent of the area now accessible, humanitarian actors are unable to fully capitalize on this due to the limited flow and availability of humanitarian supplies and enablers to support the response” (OCHA, 13.08.2021).

It shows some progress, as the accessible areas is becoming greater. Still, the authorities are making it hectic and worse for the humanitarian organizations. Since the last OCHA situation report, the authorities has already suspended several of organizations from operating the Republic. Therefore, it is not like with accessibility enough within the region. It is also the outside pressure on them before arriving in Tigray.

Which is stated here: “Physical access into Tigray via the only road access through Afar Region (Semera-Abala corridor) is partially restricted due to insecurity, extended delays with clearances by concerned authorities, and intense search procedures at checkpoints” (OCHA, 13.08.2021).

As it stands, the humanitarian organizations are working directly with the Regional Government of Tigray, as it states here: “The de-facto authorities are engaging with partners to rapidly scale up response to address the dire humanitarian needs in the region. However, stock levels are currently low, and there are still huge challenges to bring in supplies from outside the region” (OCHA, 13.08.2021).

This statement will bring fire to the Addis Ababa and the Prosperity Party regime under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. As no one is supposed to associate with the “enemy” which it wants to “weed” out. Therefore, this sort of sentence can bring fire to the flame and the UN Organizations will be targeted by the authorities and their messaging like they have done with the suspended organizations and Amnesty Internation during the conflict.

So, we can easily see there are hurdles and the man-made famine isn’t resolved. The authorities are blocking, checkpoints and excessive searches of the convoys going into Tigray. Plus the parts of regions, which it doesn’t have access to is… because the front-lines of war and constraining communications and barriers to entry there like in Northern Tigray and around the surrounding areas of Tekeze river. Therefore, the total estimations and amount of humanitarian needs are not known.

We just have to wonder how many innocent civilians who has been casualties and touched by the this conflict. As there are so many unknown and armies combatting in it. The Tripartite Alliance and the state have to take responsibility for their invasion and amounts of massacres. In combination with the weaponization of the famine. Which only hurt more livess in the region. Peace.

Ethiopia: Security and Justice for Tigrayans (SJT) – Ethiopian’s Court-Martial Decision Part of Ongoing Genocide Against Ethnic Tigrayans (10.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Security and Justice for Tigrayans (SJT) – Lalibela and the Protection of Religons/UNESCO Sites (10.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Abiy’s message yesterday was loud and clear [and no amount of fact-checking can vindicate his name]

It is just like Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his comrades doesn’t want to be responsible for their own actions. We know they project all evil at the Tigrayan population and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). That’s what they do and what they need to do justify the continued warfare in Tigray and beyond.

The state did yesterday “call to arms” and all eligible citizens to fight this war. The Office of the Prime Minister released a statement saying so. So, that the current day civilians can continue the heroic past of the predecessor and get rid of TPLF, once and for all. Which is resounding alike the Amhara Regional State and their leadership. There is no difference in the rhetoric or methodology between them.

The Ethiopian Current Issues – Fact Check Agency or whatever it is. Can have their voice and opinion. However, it is their own statement saying so. It wasn’t the foreign press that made up the headlines and stories about Ethiopia. No, the OPM and his allies made it all up by themselves and published it for the whole world to see.

This wasn’t like a secret memo, letter or talk between two trusted friends. It wasn’t a leaked cable or a call. No, this was a Press Release and what it directly stated, which the foreign press and outlets described to the people.

Maybe Abiy felt it backfired. As his wordings and the rhetoric, shines of desperation and hopelessness. Since this war has hit a nerve and the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) is winning ground. The TDF and its allies showing strength and restraint. While evidence and witnesses is telling media of what horrific tales the Tripartite Alliance has done over the recent months. Which the Fact Checking Agency and the State calls “fake” and “false”. While we are supposed to eat of their hands and swallow their lies.

Well, the truth is already out. A government that has lied about everything. Even has to fact-check it’s own press release. That says a lot about the mismanaged and a bummer of a war. Where people are dying of a man-made famine and weaponizing aid. Where the state has targeted one group and justify the atrocities in Tigray. They are even trying to pin other actions made by the state army and regional special forces on the TDF. That is what the state does. Therefore, the idea that the foreign press is supposed to write puff-pieces is insane.

The press release yesterday speaks of itself and it cannot be changed. They maybe not like the sentiment and how the International media interpret it. However, they cannot be mind-readers and expect people to follow the same paradigm and understanding as the one who published it. That is just being narrow-minded and very very foolish. Just like expect some to go haywire of this text and others to applause it. Because, that’s the world we live in and the OPM and the Fact Check Agency has to understand this too.

Now is the right time for all capable Ethiopians who are of age to join the Defence Force, Special Forces and militias and show your patriotism” (OPM, 10.08.2021). How else are the world supposed to understand this message? Are the youths and all civilians not called up? “All capable” is a broad statement and implies everyone who is over 18 and able to conscript either to the ENDF, Special Forces or a militia. That says it all…

What else did the PM and Prosperity Party think when they did this call and war-cry? Did they expect salutes and hallow speeches? That is how it looks like… when the Fact Checking Agency has issues with the headlines of the international press. Maybe, the OPM and the PP should have worded it differently, if they meant something else.

They need to get other codes and other phrases if they want it to mean something else. However, they just want to interpreted as a plea for war and more soldiers. Since they want to look peaceful and supreme. However, that is so far from the truth. We all know that the ENDF and everyone on the PM side is losing ground. That’s why he is seeking whatever he can get with a pulse. In a hope to turn around and finally gain ground again. Nevertheless, at this very moment… that seems hopeless. Just like the whole “Operation Law Enforcement” have become.

The PM cannot run, he cannot hide and the truth of his war-crimes and his allies massacres are out. The blood is on his hands, the victims and executions are done on his orders and he cannot rewrite that. The deaths and destruction will not be a triumphant way to victory. Alas, it is a road to more murder and devastation. It seems like the PM never leans and burns more bridges as the days goes by.

He should have sound advice and people who can guide him ahead. However, we all know that he has dropped those and only has “yes-men” and empty suits around him. He is surrounded by extremist and apologists for the bloodshed and the genocidal war. That’s why we are here and he cannot handle the bad press. Peace.

Tigray: Intensified fighting across borders ‘disastrous’ for children (10.08.2021)

UN agencies continue to sound the alarm over the growing “humanitarian catastrophe” in northern Ethiopia, sparked by the conflict in the Tigray region, now in its ninth month.

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 10, 2021 – A recent escalation in fighting in Afar and other neighbouring regions, has been disastrous for children, said Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a statement on Monday.

Displaced people killed

UNICEF was extremely alarmed by the reported killing last Thursday of over 200 people, including more than 100 children, in attacks on displaced families sheltering at a health facility and a school in Afar.

Ms. Fore added that crucial food supplies were also reportedly destroyed in an area that is already seeing emergency levels of malnutrition and food insecurity.

“The intensification of fighting in Afar and other areas neighbouring Tigray, is disastrous for children. It follows months of armed conflict across Tigray that have placed some 400,000 people, including at least 160,000 children, in famine-like conditions,” she said.

Humanitarian ceasefire needed

Some four million people are in crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity in Tigray and the adjoining regions of Afar and Amhara.

The recent fighting has displaced an additional 100,000 people, thus adding to the two million who have already fled their homes.

UNICEF further estimates that the number of children in Tigray suffering from life-threatening malnutrition will increase 10-fold over the next 12 months.

“The humanitarian catastrophe spreading across northern Ethiopia is being driven by armed conflict and can only be resolved by the parties to the conflict,” said Ms. Fore.

“UNICEF calls on all parties to end the fighting, and to implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Above all, we call on all parties to do everything in their power to protect children from harm.”

Delivering amid conflict

Despite numerous challenges, the World Food Programme (WFP) delivered food to more than a million people in the northwest and parts of southern Tigray during June and July.

However, WFP only reached half of the people it planned to assist, including communities on the verge of famine, due to severe shortages of food, cash, fuel and functioning telecommunications equipment.

WFP reported that more than 175 trucks arrived in the Tigray region during the first week of this month, including 90 carrying lifesaving food aid.  Another 90 trucks are expected to arrive in the coming days.

However, with 5.2 million people needing food assistance, representing roughly 90 per cent of the population, WFP and partners require at least 100 trucks to be arriving daily to support them.

A dire warning

Michael Dunford, WFP’s Corporate Response Director for Tigray, also appealed for a ceasefire so that food and other emergency supplies can be delivered before it is too late.

“People in Tigray are suffering due to lack of humanitarian support over the past month – we need to reach them now before they fall into famine,” he warned.

“Others in neighbouring regions are also falling deeper into hunger as a result of the conflict and WFP is working with the Government to reach communities in Afar and Amhara with life-saving food as soon as possible,” he added.

Ethiopia: Office of the Prime Minister – Statement on Current Affairs and a National Call (10.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Amhara Director of Communication Muluneh says they “need to stop the storm”

Any steady body of water must be in a tidal wave to move from its original position. To be a storm, it must be caused by volcanoes or hurricanes” (Muluneh, 09.08.2021).

The Amhara Regional Director of Communication Gizachew Muluneh published today a piece called “If we stop the storm, we won’t be afraid of the storm”. It was published at the Amhara Communications Facebook Page and at the Ethiopian Press Agency.

We know that the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) is advancing within the Amhara region and therefore, the Amhara Regional State who has been so invested in the conflict. It has to show force and release texts to defend it’s war. They had first the war in Tigray region with the Amhara Regional Special Forces and “Fano”. Both working for the cause of the Regional State and annex parts of it too.

This is why the piece was released today, as the roads are besieged and the propaganda needs to revitalize the new recruits ahead of warfare in the nearby area of bigger and centralized areas of the Regional State.

As he states: “Most of the waves in front of us, which are against our very existence, have been hit hard by our common arm; If there is a tidal wave left, it can only be called a tidal wave. The Amhara Special Forces: Militia, the Coalition of Nationalities and the National Defense Forces, retaliated. As a result of their self-defense measures, TNG was forced to lose its manpower to invade the Amhara region” ((Muluneh, 09.08.2021).

We know the advances are hitting hard and it is showing the force of the TDF. As several of armies has attacked it and they are still able to get further into the region. The Amhara and ENDF should have the capacity to stop this. However, they have been losing and the brigades haven’t been prepared for what is meeting them. This is why the Amhara regional government sounds the horn and the “wave” have to be hit now.

He continues: “The whole people of Amhara must continue their struggle to survive where they are, recognizing that we have no choice but to prevent the storm of catastrophe that has come to destroy us. It does matter” (Muluneh, 09.08.2021).

They are now calling it all destructive force. That’s how powerful the TDF is… and the storm will clearly take everything in its way. We know it has shown restrained and played by the rules. Even when all the government propaganda machinery claims it to be the vicious and vindictive. As the projection of their own acts in Tigray region comes home to haunt them. While the continues vilifying of the enemy continues. That is a never ending cycle and the leaders of Amhara continues with it.

He further says: “Therefore, in order to summarize the threat to our existence as a nation and as a people, our main goal should not only be to bury the melt-in-your-mouth, but also to fight the hurricane that caused the storm. Because without a hurricane, there is no such thing as a storm” (Muluneh, 09.08.2021).

Here his stating that they have to go to the “root” and stop the waves before they occur. This is meaning they want to kill and get rid of the Tigrayan before they even step on the soil of Amhara. That is something the Amhara has been doing since November 2020. They have worked on this and this sort of message is the defence of the massacres and the annexation of Western Tigray. Therefore, the Director says it metaphorically and we should all be aware.

In the end he says: “The first option is to pay the price for the risks and fight together to sustain our existence, uplift our history, and build a region and a country where true democracy and peace are guaranteed” (…) “There is no doubt that the hero will always be the first choice for our people and our fighters. And in order to be successful in our first choice and to be the proud people on the world stage, we must unite to eradicate the erroneous terrorist weed and the common enemy and cancer of our people. And it will happen. Victory for our heroes !!!” (Muluneh, 09.08.2021).

Here we see the same symbolism as the state has done before and the genocidal narrative of “cancer” and “weed”. That is how the Tigrayan people is called by the Amhara and the Prosperity Party. They have no qualms calling them that… and we know the ones fighting the genocidal war is heroes, while the other is terrorists. That is just how their rhetoric goes and its a never ending story.

It shows the intent and what the state is willing to public. This warfare in Ethiopia is showing the sinister side of the Republic and it’s current leadership. When they are promoting propaganda like this and uses state media to push it too. Peace.