NUSOJ: Journalists’ union accuses Somali Ministry of Information for faking sincerity to resolve journalists’ safety crisis (23.04.2018)

The PAFD Press Statement On Ongoing State-Terrorism And Government Instigated Ethnic Conflicts (18.04.2018)

The TPLF/EPRDF army and security apparatuses are wrecking mayhem throughout Ethiopia as the operation of State of Emergency intensifies with degree of unprecedented barbarism in Oromia and throughout the country, even after the new PM has been appointed by TPLF/EPRDF. The killing of dozens of unarmed civilians is also intensifying in various Oromia regional state as are the imprison- ment of civilians in Ogaden Somali since the new PM, Dr Abiy Ahmed has sworn in on April 02, 2018. The PAFD categorically condemns with all possible terms the EPRDF/TPLF’s State terrorism in Ethiopia and urges the EPRDF/TPLF to call for an urgent transitional arrangement.

The inauguration speech of the new PM has been meticulously crafted with a lot of positive attributes albeit with the objective of achieving one key target of erroneously uplifting the spirit of often dejected mass. All peoples of Ethiopia who’ve lost hope and trust in TPLF/EPRDF during its 27 years reign of divide and conquer thought there is going to be a glimmer of hope, although it has become apparent that nothing has changed apart from paying lip-services.

Meanwhile, the killings of and an arbitrary detention of civilians has increasingly continued in various regions with severity in Oromia. The instigation of ethnic conflicts between peacefully coexisted nations such as the Oromo and Gedeo, Oromo and Ogaden Somali and the rest is increasing albeit the imposi- tion of State of Emergency and murdering of civilians. In Oromia regional state where the TPLF/ EPRDF’s army and security apparatuses are saturated, in addition to April 17, 2018’s Moyale carnage, the daily executions of unarmed dozens of civilians including a pregnant woman known by the name

‘Ayyaantuu Mohaammad Shaanqoo’ in East Oromia Hararge Zone, Mee’sso town on April 8, 2018 has increased. Initially, the indicated Oromo pregnant woman was approached by the Agaazi forces who demanded her for a gang-rape. As she refused to obey their sadistic orders, they forced her to her knees and shot her on her head with three bullets to instantly kill her. Additionally, an elderly Oromo man known by the name ‘Mardaasaa Yaadasaa’ in Qellem district of Wallaggaa zone, Sadii Caanqaa sub district, Koomboo village has been executed by TPLF/EPRDF’s Agaazi on April 13, 2018 who broke into his house before dawn by further seriously wounding his son who is fighting for his life in hospital.

In Ogaden Somali the detention of politicians and deliberately denying water and food to civilians in various districts is widespread as part of indirect killing of hundreds of deliberately targeted civilians

with the objectives of depopulating Ogaden Somali. Moreover, the TPLF/EPRDF’s regime is also de- ploying the Ogaden Somali detainees who have been recently released for a forced labour where the la- bourers are often denied food and water until they die. Today (April 18, 2018) the TPLF/EPRDF’s re- gional agents -the Solomali Liyu militia executed an Ogadeni Somali woman known by the name

‘Rooda Yaasiin Muhumed’ in Kabribayah town of the region for no apparent reason. In Sidama the displacement of thousands of peasants from their lands of Hawassa proximity is intensifying by turning

the majority to virtual beggars in their own land. In Gambella, Amhara, Afar, the entire south and Benshangul, the plights of civilians remain as precarious as it was 15 or 20 years ago. The situation all over the country remains as fluid as it has been a year ago despite the short-lived Euphoria of the majority after the inauguration of the new PM two weeks ago.

Therefore, the PAFD categorically deplores the ongoing killing and arbitrary detentions of civilians in various parts of the country including in Oromia, Ogaden Somali, Amhara, Afar, Gambella and elsewhere. We urge the new PM and his EPRDF’s party to unconditionally lift the State of Emergency, release all political prisoners and call for an unconditional all- inclusive transitional arrangement in Ethiopia to restore law and order that remain distant from the peoples of Ethiopia for the past 27 years.

Finally, the PAFD’s once again renews its calls of London February 2018 all-inclusive confer- ence to opposition groups of all peoples of Ethiopia to unconditionally put aside their differ- ences to agree to work together to achieve the highly-craved democratic changes by struggling in unison. We also call upon all politicians, civic society, academics and religious groups to open their minds and hearts to come to term to realistically address the demands of the major- ity in Ethiopia in unison. Recognising and appreciating the recent approval of House Resolu- tion (HR-128) in America, we finally call upon all the international political players to do more in defending the rights of over 104 million peoples in Ethiopian by unconditionally and fully supporting their struggle until they achieve their dream of living in a free and democratic country where her leaders are held into account for their actions and accountable to their con- stituents.

Justice, Freedom and Equality For All Peoples In Ethiopia!

The Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD), April 18, 2018

Somalia: Puntland Press Release (16.04.2018)

Patriotic Ginbot 7 Movement for Unity and Democracy: On the passage of H.Res. 128 “Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia” (15.04.2018)

Somalia: MoFA Press Release on the relationship with the UAE (16.04.2018)

PM Abiy has shown his swagger, but the EPRDF acts and sounds much like the same!

I know it is just under 2 weeks since the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) got a new Chairman and Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali. Just days after now, he has been traveling and having meetings within the regions highly affected by the prolonged State of Emergency with the draconian laws and military forces attacking civilians, arresting and stopping ordinary activity. Therefore, it is important that the Prime Minister traveling and meeting people in Oromia, even in Amhara later too. But just traveling, while having Agazi squad is still killing people. The numbers since takeover is already up-to six. There might be more, but that is the ones that is reported.

The EPRDF, the state and government are still keeping their Command Post and the military at bay. They are still silencing the people and their protests. There is still internally displaced people and the military, still has the final say. There is a change of the top inside the ruling coalition, but their activity hasn’t changed.

That is both proven in the condemnation of the United States House Resolution 128, that was voted on in the Representatives House yesterday. Not that is direct sanctions against the ERPDF, but it is a sign of change from Washington D.C. However, the EPRDF are condemning it, instead of asking themselves how the US came to that conclusion and assessment of the Ethiopian struggle. The EPRDF should instead work on change from within, unless they want the protesters to continue. Since, they haven’t done much, than small tokens.

It is a big deal that the PM offers a visit of the Opposition leaders at the Palace today, that they are in the lavish and the nice venue listening to the PM. As he eloquently saying the words needed to be said, but the acts of EPRDF isn’t much change, but more of the same. That is why the killings continue, the arrests and the lack of reconciliation. This is the first step, but if the EPRDF want to really open up. They need the SoE gone away and they need to negotiate to have proper elections and trustworthy National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Not one rigging for the EPRDF and their Allied Parties.

We know that the EPRDF has no plan of directly changing, they think they can get away with changing the PM and make him speak softly around the Republic. Instead of actually making a difference. That is why the Local Elections are postponed again, instead of showing opportunity to freshen the local government in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa for instance.

The Ethiopian Government should be careful of their activity, as they have detained the leadership of the protest again, the famous writers and politicians that they recently released. I am not the sort of guy traded-off on beautiful speeches, even if I also can be carried away. Dr. Abiy has been able to pick his words wisely, but its time for the first steps of actions. If he wants to be the change or not a puppet. Right now he looks like a puppet and smells like a puppet. He has a nice tone and done some nice public appearances. However, it is not enough.

Not if the EPRDF want to be something else than the Woyane, the TPLF go-lucky gang who oppress the protest and the will of the people. Knowing how they look at themselves, we can see that from Seifeselassie Gebre who wrote this: “However, it is quite refreshing to see some lawmakers such as Senator Inhofe who had the courage to speak the truth by chastising the bill as nothing more than an opportunistic interference at a time Ethiopia finds itself at a critical juncture. The honorable thing for the congressmen would have been to congratulate the new PM and also applaud and commend the peaceful transfer of power that was made possible by (1) EPRDF’s time-tested internal deliberation and selection process for power transition, (2) the timely imposition of the State of Emergency that gave the government enough time to hash out its differences and reach a consensus regarding the selection of a new leader” (Seifeselassie Gebre – ‘H.Res-128: A Pretext in Search of a Neo-liberal Colony’ 12.04.2018, Tigraionline.com).

When you read this your blood should be boiling, as the goodness of the unnecessary deaths, the detentions of rights of the Amhara and Oromo people are put on the altar of one switching chair in Addis Ababa. Instead of thinking of the consequences of the State of Emergency, the TPLF supporters, are saying the Americans are meddling. They shouldn’t look directly at the meddling, but the results and the activity of the military, the Command Post and Agazi Squad in the regions of protest. That is if, the value of life matters to the TPLF and the EPRDF. It is a smack to the face of a Sovereign nations to get a resolution like it did, but they haven’t acted with humans intent. Only to keep power and silence the Queerro of Oromia and the Amhara too. That got to stop!

If the EPRDF is serious, the first thing that has to happen, is to stop the State of Emergency. Second is to recalling the Agazi squad and military police out of the streets into the barracks. Third stop the road-blocks and fourth quit the draconian laws silencing the people. That from the Anti-Terror Law and the Codes put on the SoE. All of that has to stop, then there is time for nice speeches and trying to negotiate, to make a change from the current acts of the EPRDF. Because right now, the government are putting a nice act in-front of the world. But it hasn’t changed the system, neither the disrespectful interference in the citizens lives.

That is why the TPLF, the Woyane, the EPRDF, cannot only send Dr. Abiy as a puppet and speak of elegance and finesse. But he needs to show in acts in Parliament, there need to be votes to stop the State of Emergency. The Parliament needs to investigate the violence, the killings of innocent civilians and the arbitrary arrests. So justice can be for all and the ones who has misused power can get the punishment for their ill-will against the will of the people. The protesters has the right to get that. Even if someone believes silencing them is their god-given right. They shouldn’t, the Oromo and Amhara deserves a better fate. Just like the Tigrai. They don’t own it all.

We know all isn’t what it seems, when ESAT are reporting this:

The new prime ministers of the EPRDF are saying that they do not believe that the EPRDF line will continue. (ESAT News April 4, 2010) The current Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, is calling on the EPRDF line. According to the sources of ESAT’s EPRDF sources, some of the existing leaders of the EPRDF leadership, Ato Sibhat Nega, Abay Hailaye, Bere Simeon, Patriarch Joseph, Seyoum Mesfin, and others who have served in the organization, follow the politics of the new Prime Minister instead of the developmental ideology of the EPRDF. They are insisting that they will have to live up to their promises, and that they are more likely to listen to the opposition than the EPDRF. These new leaders, who have started a new campaign on the EPRDF line, have said that the new prime ministers are eager to save the EPRDF line without a desire to extend the EPRDF line. The ruling party has been in the process of mobilizing different supporters, saying that the Oromia region has created a bad system in our country and is a landlocked country. Although the regions have been given the power to govern themselves, the leadership of the National Intelligence and Security Service is in the process of revolving around the central authority, and the current leaders, who are said to be under attack, If they are going to engage with opponents without permission, then threatening to take action to protect the survival and protection of the archives. He added that the former leaders are gathering opinions, even those who are popular, and that the people have given their trust and confidence that the new prime minister will bring about real change” (ESAT, 12.04.2018).

We have to see if it is all public swagger from the new PM or if the EPRDF are real about it. I doubt it, since the killings has continued since the swearing-in. As long as innocent dies for any government to live, you know something is wrong. It doesn’t matter for who and where, it is just wrong. Peace.

Mogadishu Stand-Off: Jawari resigned, but did PM Khaire win?

Today, seems like a small victory for Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and the silent President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo. The Victory is that after weeks and nearly a month of political stand-off between the gentlemen, the Lower House Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari. What is suspicious, is that it is resolved after millions of dollars coming from a Private Plane from United Arab Emirates landed in Mogadishu yesterday. It seems so fitting, that the ones behind the most controversial army base in Somaliland, and also the DP Port in Berbera, Somaliland. Suddenly, comes like Santa Clause to Mogadishu.

24 hours later, a stand-off between two parties are settled, while “investigations” into the money transaction continues. I am not saying people are bought-off, but it is seemingly so. To the RFI English Radio, Minister for Constitutional Affairs Abdurahman Hosh Jibril has said after law, the new Speaker has to be elected within 15 days. This would a sign of change or more control by the President and Prime Minister. It has already been reported that Farmaajo had tried to get Jawari to resign.

The Prime Minister has on the other hand, ordered a full lock-down of Mogadishu, sent Danab Force to the Parliament and also used Bancroft Mercenaries there. Therefore, the ones in the Executive Branch and highest positions has used fear to install the ones they want to have. While we can question the money of UAE yesterday, the UAE themselves saying it was money for salaries of the Somali National Army. Also coming out, is that the Military Base in Puntland from the UAE will be used as a launching pad for military activity in Yemen. Clearly, the internal in-fighting, has external consequences.

This clear interfering in Somali national is clear and they are trying to pay it off and in this instance, it has worked. Since the Speaker Jawari had to resign after long days of stand-offs and misfires. We now know that the Executive Branch is trying to steer the whole Parliament. They not guiding, but trying to steer the wheels directly. This is the initial part of this activity, they don’t want someone whose thinking for themselves as Speaker. They want a loyal puppet for the PM and the President. Why else go this far to get rid of him?

The PM Kheire and President Farmaajo, wouldn’t have this much time and come with such retaliations against a man, if there wasn’t something in it for them. To think otherwise is a bit naive, you don’t send the Danab Force to the Parliament, because you love or care about Parliamentary Procedures. You do it to send a signal and show your power. You don’t use American Mercenaries on the streets around to show grace and mercy, but install even more fear. That is what the PM has done and to think otherwise, is still naive.

That there are more than what reflects in the water, that is clear. What we do know is that there are reasons for this. If it is Soma Oil and their dealings, if it is UAE and their dealings. If it is that the Speaker wouldn’t follow the directions of the PM. That might be true, but what this has shown is how weak the President is and how powerful the PM is. The PM is the power actor behind it all, he was the one who raised the stakes. Also, because the Speaker and his group of MPs put a “no confidence” on the PM as well. Certainly, that will not be tabled. Neither the motion on Jawari.

But, even as this is a small victory for Khaire and Farmaajo, it isn’t really winning anything. They have lost face, their transgression has been proved and their lack of process is proven. Their missions and their acts are now in the open. There aren’t enough American drones to get rid of enemies of the ones who wants power. That should the PM and President know, but seemingly, they don’t.

Jawari is now out, but the struggle for supremacy is far from over. The Lower House still needs someone to lead it and stand behind the protocol and rules of the Parliament. That cannot be swept under the rug, but the PM and President want their man there.

This is not a real victory, it is a loss and that is evident. What is next is inevitable, that someone who can follow orders from the PM and President will become the Speaker. But if that will make the situation better, I doubt it. It will just get more tense and more of the ones who was behind Jawari will feel disfranchised. Unless, the PM tried to buy them-off too. Time will tell. Peace.

Opinion: Hon. Duale wants IGAD to intervene, that would be even foreign interference into the Mogadishu stand-off!

IGAD Member States must hold an emergency meeting to resolve the protracted political crisis between Legislature and The Executive branches of Somalia Government in order to protect the gains made in security and stability under President Faramaajo. UAE should not undermine the sovereign of the Somali people and its legitimate institutions to function” (Hon. Aden Duale, 06.04.2018).

This is ironic, very ironic, that Intergovenmental Authority on Development (IGAD) should intervene in Somalia after the President and Prime Minister has worked hard to get rid-off the Speaker of the Lower House in Parliament. Where the two leaders has done whatever in their power to get him to resign and stop having a role in the National Assembly. However, the AMISOM, Danab Forces and all the other defensive organizations has been involved. As the motions hasn’t been put or been able to do so. Because of the political stalemate and stand-off, where the President and Prime Minister has lost face.

That is why it is ironic, that a political stand-off between the parties, which has already been involved with foreign forces, that the IGAD has an issue with the UAE in one of their member states. However, for the IGAD it must be a pickle, because to destroy the deal will also cost Ethiopia, which is also a member state. Somaliland government might end on the chopping board, but it will not do things to hurt Ethiopia. That will just not happen, IGAD will not seal the deal. They are not capable.

To call on IGAD, would be more for a PR Stunt, the AMISOM and Somali National Army has to take more cover and secure the manners as it is. Even if the supposed crisis is supposed to be solved on their own. But with the foreign brigades, the mercenaries from both United States and elsewhere, you can wonder if this will go away. That the foreign interests and the possible profits of ports and oil, will become more dire. As the politicians are trying to get their pay-offs. To say something else, is at this stage to be naive and hopeful.

That the Kenyan Majority Leader Duale calls on IGAD. Shows that Somalia needs more foreign involvement to solve self-made political crisis. That is not a sign of strength or protocol. Neither, is a good look, that someone whose army is part of the peacekeeping, but also directly on the border. Is planning to use Multi-National Organization to solve the issue. Instead, of this coming from internally and part of the Parliament itself.

As the self-inflicted problems created by the President and Prime Minister has to be solved. They have to look into themselves, as they have violated the Parliament, misused security organization to insight fear and even lock-down the capital in advance of pushing their motion against the speaker. This sort of activity cannot appear and it only shows lack of parliamentary progress. As the leaders of it is creating this.

IGAD, AMISOM and UNSOM shouldn’t be in the midst of the hornets nest waiting to sting. They will only patch the hurt, but will not fix the underlining issue. The second part of the irony of Hon. Duale. Is that he has issues with UAE, but he as Kenyan has no problem with interfering in Somalia. Which is interesting in itself and should be discussed. Because it shows the mentality and the reasoning behind the KDF involvement, not only for self-defense, but also even supremacy. That cannot be undermined, when he plays the position of IGAD to interfere on his behalf.

It is weird and ironic, but IGAD will not directly solve this matter. That has to be done by both fractions, if they care about their own safety and also the sanctity of the National Assembly. Also, how the Parliamentarians are planning to be bought by the PM or President, even if they are following procedure and listening to the Speaker. You can wonder what and how this will end. But this will not end with an Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD. If things ended with that, the IGAD wouldn’t need dozens of them on South Sudan. I’m just saying and it has to be said. They can meet in Addis Ababa and speak of peace, but they cannot reasoning with the parties, unless they invite them too.

If not they are just like the American drones bombing as they like and after their collected intelligence of where the militants are. The same can be done by the IGAD, but with documents and meetings, but that will not solve the underlining issues. That will be there. No matter if Duale and the partners of IGAD interfere on his behalf.

It is ironic, that IGAD should interfere here, as the AMISOM tried to back-peddle what they have done in regards to the matter. The Americans hasn’t answered on the possible mercenaries who participated in the stand-off. However, the world has seen this and take notice of it.

Nevertheless, the stand-off, the stakeholders and the ones that in the midst of this, should do themselves a favor and have some fresh air. Because this is all up to the President and Prime Minister, if they want to reconcile their differences with the Speaker. That is if they have any sense at all and not are corporate stooges to outside forces already. If they are not planning to misuse the army and security organization to continue to insight fear in the elected officials in Mogadishu. But as “if they” and not “supposed to” or even “plans to change”, because if things will change, it has to be the ones that push for the orders and sends the soldiers, who has to act and enlighten the world for the reasons behind the matter. Peace.

AMISOM: AU Special Representative’s statement on Wednesday’s political developments in the Lower House of Parliament (06.04.2018)

Save Parliament Committee: Press Statement on Seizure of the Parliament Building in Somalia (06.04.2018)