Ethiopia: FAO – Emergency livelihood support for conflict-affected communities in Ethiopia’s Tigray region (07.07.2021)

As of June 2021, about 5.5 million people in Tigray and neighbouring Afar and Amhara are in high acute food insecurity.

ROME, Italy, July 7, 2021 – The ongoing conflict in Tigray has led to a humanitarian crisis characterized by alarmingly high levels of food insecuritygender-based violence, widespread displacement, limited access to services, and the destruction of the local economy.

The conflict commenced at the peak of the main agricultural season (Meher) harvest period when many households had not yet harvested their crops. It is estimated that over 90 percent of the crop harvest was lost (looted, burned and/or destroyed), while 15 percent of the region’s 17 million livestock were reported looted or slaughtered. Given that the majority of Tigrayans depend on subsistence agriculture (80 percent rely on agriculture as their main source of food and livelihood), the loss of their harvest and production inputs has severely impacted their food security and nutrition.

As of June 2021, about 5.5 million people in Tigray and neighbouring Afar and Amhara are in high acute food insecurity, representing nearly 61 percent of the analyzed population. A total of 353 000 people are in Catastrophe level of acute food insecurity (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification [IPC] Phase 5) in Tigray alone, the highest numbers recorded in the last decade. There are approximately 2.1 million people in Phase 4 (Emergency) and 3.1 million in Phase 3 (Crisis), a large number of whom, if supported with agricultural inputs, would avoid falling into IPC Phase 5 and destitution.

Nearly 93 percent of the population in northern Ethiopia requires emergency assistance (more than 5.5 million people). After failing to harvest in 2020, the consequences of missing the 2021 season may be dire, as most households depend on their own production for food and income. If support is not provided immediately, the next harvest will be in 18 months. This scenario has far-reaching food security and nutrition consequences.

Prior to the conflict, the food system (production, transportation, processing, packaging, storage, retail, consumption, loss and waste) fed and supported the livelihoods of a vast majority of Tigray’s population. Even though households in Tigray were repeatedly exposed to multiple shocks, such as drought, desert locust infestations and the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most of them were able to cope, as demonstrated by the results of various food security assessments.

Thanks to a contribution of USD 500 000 from the Government of Belgium through SFERA, FAO is implementing a project that will directly benefit 11 000 households (55 000 people). Beneficiaries will be provided with assorted agricultural inputs (short-cycle/drought-tolerant seeds including onion, teff and tomato) and trainings on good agronomic practices. Additionally, the project will support coordination efforts at the regional level to improve the collection and dissemination of information on agricultural interventions by Disaster Risk Management – Agriculture Task Force partners to enhance their planning and targeting.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

Ethiopia: Prime Minster Abiy slaughtered a cow and only got a chicken in return …

We won’t sacrifice a healthy cow to save a sick chicken” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (05.07.2021).

Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed Ali have today addressed the House of Federation. Where he tries to defend the war he waged in Tigray. We can really see that there is no heart for the Tigrayan and neither for the general public. War is a righteous thing and it is very proven. This is a warlord and he will easily wage another when the stars are aligned for it. He had to leave most part of Tigray region, because the Tigray Defence Force was winning battle after battle. That’s why they have thousands of Prisoners of War (PoW).

Just like not long ago… the PM said he didn’t go to Tigray to liberate it. However, in the past he said he would conquer it in a few weeks and destroy Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from the surface of the earth. That’s why Eritrean Shabait have called it “defunct” for months. While it was retaking its lands and stopping the Tripartite Alliance.

Here is his heart on display:

Bank, water, electricity are luxuries in Ethiopia. So don’t bother us if the service is not available in certain area. There was no such service before, so why now? The current situation is a lesson to the rest of us that it is impossible to burn others while enjoying the heat of the fire” (Abiy, 05.07.2021).

How can this man promise reforms and say his going to elevate the Republic when he says these things are luxuries? Having banking services shouldn’t be this hard… and neither water, which is necessities. It just shows that his proud of blocking the utilities, communication and total blockage of Tigray is fine with him. Neither does he value any other Ethiopian to have this either. It is a luxury for only the likes of him and his closest allies. The rest should bow to his grace and accept your fate. That you are blocked from banking, water, electricity or anything because of race. Thanks the almighty deity Abiy for those doling gifts of governance from the Masters of Peace.

As he continues:

Every Tigrayan mother will weight what this war has brought on her. The mothers know the damage this conflict brought upon them” (Abiy, 05.07.2021).

Just like the Tripartite Alliance saw everyone as an enemy in Mekelle. Now, the Prime Minister is blaming every mother for the suffering put on the region. That is projection of the finest art. Because sons and daughters are fighting a war waged on them. Because, the Federal Government couldn’t accept another type of leadership and a party who didn’t follow the epic commander of Abiy. That’s why the mothers of Tigray now deserves the pain they are living through. It really shows the greatness of Abiy and how much he cares of the pain he puts on others with his orders!

He promotes more war in the future:

In one, two or three weeks, 100,000 trained, armed and organised special forces can be mobilised. If said special force isn’t enough, if a militia is needed, in one or two months half a million militiamen can be organised. One million youths can be mobilised and trained” (Abiy, 05.07.2021).

Now he says he will raise new armies to wage more war. Surely because he lost this one and had to flee from parts of the Tigray region. As we speak there is still Amhara Special Force and Fano fighting the TDF in Western Tigray where the Amhara state annexed land. Therefore, the conflict is not over. Just like the ceasefire isn’t official, as the state is blocking everything and we know the PM is proud of that. Because, drinking water and accessing your wages in banks is a luxury. Remember that from now on.

His ill-advised mind says this:

In my view, those interested in seeing the conclusion of the conflict in the Tigray region are very few. It seems there are interests that seek to see the weakening of the Ethiopian state through a protracted conflict” (Abiy, 05.07.2021).

It is tragic that he says that. His the one that waged the war and ordered it. It was his government and allies who was prepared all across the borders of Tigray. Who had airlifted soldiers into Eritrea to attack from two sides. The Prime Minister promised to finish it off in weeks and was saying it was in the finalization of the Law Enforcement Operation in the end of November 2020. The conflict continued to the end of June 2021. However, we still know the state is deliberately weakening and blocking necessities… which shows they are not done yet, but put vital warfare on hold. They were the ones that kept it going and was undressed by the TDF during the last few weeks. Which destroyed and annihilated the Tripartite Alliance… and therefore they fled.

The final nonsense:

As a sovereign nation, we have tolerated a lot. Without government recognition armed forces were being organized, conflict entrepreneurs and propagandists were deployed throughout the country. The people of Tigray were told that they were at risk of war. Elders, investors, politicians, locals and investors were sent to mediate. Ultimately, the Northern Command was attacked. We were forced to set out to defend the country and return looted national resources and weapons” (Abiy, 05.07.2021).

He is really something else. A guy who puts the blame on others and had the war planned together with his allies. They had surrounded the region before the attack of the Northern Command. The PM and his allies has used that as a scapegoat. While not taking into coordination or the cooperation , which was signalling to the TDF that their time was up anyway. The state had already blocked government funding, blocked aid to the region and other measures in the months ahead. Not, like the HOF and the PM was in favour of Tigray anyway.

So to speak of propagandists… his own people should talk and maybe not slaughter a cow to buy a chicken. Which the state have done in this favour. They have destroyed and created a man-made famine over a constitutional dispute and a futile will to consolidate all power under one banner. Which was the idea in the first place. The PM couldn’t handle to have someone who wouldn’t listen and follow his command without question. That’s why he waged war and called upon anyone who could support this effort. While using the legitimacy of the central administration and usher in a bloodshed in Tigray.

This is tragic but with statements like these. We know the Prosperity Party and the PM is not done with the region. This ceasefire is to retool and restructure to assault it again. When they hopefully can end the TPLF for their defiant moves of defying the naked king of Finfinne aka Addis Ababa.

Today’s address in the House of Federation wasn’t a victory lap, but shows his sentiments yet again. He never valued Tigray and its people. He just wanted to settle old scores and become supreme. There is no golden goose or a positive silver lining. That is far from it. Even if his allies and propagandists actually says so. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Government of Tigray – Conditions for a negotiated Ceasefire (04.07.2021)

Ethiopia: Abiy’s darkness shadows Tigray’s liberation [it’s a siege and not a ceasefire]

On the 28th June 2021 the 8 month long civil war over the Tigray region seemed to be over. As the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) and Amhara Para-Military Forces “Fano” was fleeing and leaving the region for the first time since the conflict started in early November 2020. This was because the Tigray Defence Force had two weeks of successive battles and beating the Tripartite Alliance to its core. That’s why the conflict was ceasing and the state on it’s knees.

However, the state and it’s allies isn’t done. They are blocking all roads into the Tigray Region. The state and its allies haven’t allowed international aid organizations or United Nations World Food Programme to deliver needed food aid into the region. As the region is in a rapid famine and in a humanitarian crisis. Which has been created by the state that attacked it and rooted in the conflict, which was ordered by the authorities itself.

That’s why bridges have been destroyed. Planes not allowed to drop goods and needed logistical support. The state is deliberately letting people perish and die. As they are retaliating with this “soft” war. Where they are blocking electricity, all communications (telephone/internet) and even water as well. All utilities are blocked… and that shows how they are besieging the region.

The direct warfare from Tripartite Alliance has maybe stopped. Even if there are some reports of warfare and acts of war-crime in Western Tigray. Where the annex land and the towns are besieged by Amhara Special Forces and the ENDF.

The Addis Ababa Government, the Prosperity Party and its allies is weaponizing starvation and a famine. They are willing to see people die, because the Prime Minister and his token friends didn’t get their way. That is the sinister and evil act of this government. Their propaganda and their acts of viciousness shall never be forgotten. As they did on their watch, kill civilians, massacre and starve their own citizens. They did this to prove a point and be supreme. That’s how little heart and little care they have.

Closing the borders and making lives a living hell. Ensuring that the people cannot eat or get what they need. That is what the Prime Minister and his allies are doing. They are showing how much they value the citizens of Tigray. These are all enemies and they are not worthy. That’s why everyone is punished for the decision to vote for and have the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as the State Government in the September 2020 election.

That is clearly the case. The Prime Minister and his party have been humiliated, again and again. Instead of getting the praise and the blind love they expect to get. Now the Amhara State government want to continue the war and keep the annex regions. While having the support of Addis Ababa and Asmara.

We are clearly seeing the evil side of this regime. They cannot even care enough to let humanitarian convoys with live-saving food to enter the Region. That is too much for them. This is who PM Abiy is… a cold blooded warlord who doesn’t value life.

If the Tigray government and the TPLF was like him. All the thousands of Prisoners of War who has been moved in the region of late. Would have been starving and kept in horrible conditions. However, they are showing that they care. Yes, the Tigray have done some extra judicial killings of co-conspirators of the Interim Government. They are seen as treacherous to their cause.

That should be condemn. However, the other government in Addis is willing to risk 900,000 people in dire distress in the middle of famine. They are willing to risk close to 6 million lacking food and utilities. The Tigray have without a doubt killed 120 people, which should have gotten on trial and answered for their betrayal of the region. Nevertheless, would the Addis regime save any of Tigrayan in the end?

A government who is stopping all Tigrayan across the republic. Who are continuing a ethnic attack. Blocking the ability to have bank-accounts, call and be a citizen of the state. In Addis shops own by Tegaru are attacked and closed. This is the sort of acts of this “reformist” government. Property is also ceased and destroyed as well.

So, it’s hard to believe that this regime cares or follows any sort of protocol or doing their mandate. The state is isolating and besieging the region. Also targeting the ones who happens to be Tegaru in other regions. The world should know and the war isn’t over. It is just done “silently” and with other means.

That isn’t just tragic, but horrible. This is the act of the PP and PM Abiy. He accepts this and orders in coordination of his allies in Amhara and in Eritrea. They are all doing this and just to hurt Mekelle. It is a clear indication, that the whole “unilateral ceasefire” is utter rubbish. Peace.

Ethiopia: Press Release by Mahbere Kidus Yared Zeorthodox Tewahdo (02.07.2021)

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC): Tigray Region – Need for Urgent Measures to Ensure the Safety and Security of Civilians (03.07.2021)

Ethiopia: The Government of the National State of Tigray Commits itself Fully to Supporting Humanitarian Access in Tigray (02.07.2021)

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Deputy Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen and State Minister Ambassador Redwan briefed the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa on unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire (02.07.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) & Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) – Declaration on the Establishment of Oromia Regional National Transitional Government (30.06.2021)

First Announcement
Preamble
1. Introduction, the overall situation in Oromia
The Oromo people have been waging a continuous struggle with immense sacrifices for over a century to regain natural rights it has been denied, to free itself from subjugation, and to ultimately secure the right to self-determination. The human and material cost of the struggle for freedom, even after the birth of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) that rendered modern organizational and political shape to the Oromo people’s quest for freedom by mobilizing a unified course of action, was immense. With the unprecedented level of mobilization of the Oromo youth organized under the Oromo Qeerroo/Qarree (youth) and the Oromo populace in general around 2015, the human casualties and material costs of the struggle had skyrocketed to a tipping point. Thousands have paid the ultimate price with their precious lives while many more were left with permanent disabilities. Even though the human and material loss in this mass mobilization was concluded with a bitter-sweet victory, the fruits of the sacrifices paid by the Oromo Qeerroo were hijacked by visibly and invisibly conspired hands. The much awaited and hoped for victory was reversed taking an unintended course, leaving the sacrifices in vain.
The anticipated political reforms, resumption of dialogue around the institutionalization of true democratic order that would respect the rights of peoples to self-determination within the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) failed miserably, – before moving an inch forward. Some cautious organizations that were skeptical of the reformists’ potential to effect a fundamental change in Ethiopia proposed an all-inclusive transitional government that could lay foundations for the said reform to bring about a lasting change as a point of departure from the outgoing old order. One among such political forces was the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom & Democracy (PAFD), a coalition of many political organizations to which the OLF belonged as a senior founding member. When the call for a transitional arrangement of the alliance fell on deaf ears, ambitious political organizations, disenfranchised activists, and foreign powers with vested interests in Ethiopia commenced rallying around a group that sprang out of the embattled Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The new group, disguised as a dynamic force for change, headed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed placed itself at the helm of an undefined transitional terrain. It was amid such confusion that the country headed for the 6th national election in 2020. This chaos allowed the same functionaries of the old ruling party, the EPRDF, as legitimate rulers of the country without reaching at any fundamental consensus among the major political forces whose consent should have been vital to offer the slightest legitimacy to the new oligarchy.
Nevertheless, the repressive, alienating, and disenfranchising policies that Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s administration embarked on for the last three years as a tool to dismember genuine political forces so they can not partake in the election. This has completely dashed the hope of many including those who adored him at one point.
The COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as a blessing in disguise for Abiy’s regime that was already fan-fairing for pretexts to extend the election timetable while the country was grappling with political uncertainty. As a result, Abiy was able to postpone the national elections to 2021 without the consent of the political forces and stakeholders, thereby, ensuing a constitutional crisis that was already underway. Subsequently, the ruling party whose mandate has expired illegally extended its illegitimate rule to this date. The OLF, the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), and some of their allies protested the illegal extension of the incumbent’s mandate as unconstitutional, but to no avail.
Even though a much-needed reform was hoped for to transition the country to democracy, peace and stability, things went from bad to worse. Popular demands were neglected, projects to resurrect imperial Ethiopia’s glorious old order under the guise of Ethiopia’s unity began to emerge as a strategy to dilute what had been accomplished by years of popular demands and generational sacrifices. Civil discourse is impossible because the incumbent ruling clique is heavily corrupted, full of conscious liars, and opportunists.
The OLF and OFC have reiterated, time and again, that the illegal practices by the ruling party are against the law of the land which would exacerbate the conflict between citizens and the regime as well as the overall communal relations between the diverse constituencies of the Ethiopian state. The regime’s reactions to such genuine pleas for freedom and democracy were only limited to the usual lip service of hollow promises.
Currently the State of Oromia and its citizens are in a dire situation. There is no administrative or state structure that can provide meaningful services to citizens. A war has been declared on Oromia and people are paying with the lives of their own sons and daughters daily. In addition to the Ethiopian armed forces, local militias, the Amhara region’s special forces, and a foreign force – the Eritrean army are operative in the war against Oromia. It should be noted here that the war was waged with full consent of Abiy who also invited the Eritrean army to occupy Oromia. Substantial territory of Oromia is now a war zone, resulting in massive displacement and death. People are fleeing their villages leaving their belongings behind. The invading army is inflicting untold misery to Oromo farmers and pastoralists. Houses are burned into ashes, their cattle confiscated, properties looted, and women raped. Men are being executed, beaten to death, or will be taken prisoners for no apparent reason. Many of the able-bodied Oromo men and women who were unable to endure such atrocities have joined the fighting forces of the Oromo Liberation Army. There is no rule of law in Ethiopia; there is no accountability. The regime’s henchmen are acting so arbitrarily and erratically simply because they have enough resources at their disposal to do whatever they want to. Simply stated, there is no government in Oromia in the true sense of the term.
The self-appointed ruling clique that operates under the name Prosperity Party (PP) has successfully put a dictatorial regime in place. As stated above, the new rulers of Ethiopia were members of the old regime that had been inflicting untold miseries on the citizens of Oromia and other peoples of Ethiopia, emerged with a new name disguised as a reformer. The regime has shown its resolve to dissolve Ethiopia’s multi-nation federalism and reinstitute old Ethiopia of one nation, one language, and one culture, validated by a weird narrative that group rights, if granted to Ethiopia’s nations and nationalities, would be a menace to Ethiopia as they see it. As a result, the regime is diligently working to dismantle the Oromia Regional State and divide the Oromo people by depriving them of a unified Oromia federal state territory. To this end, it has recruited individuals believed to be loyal to the ruling clique, whose key task is cutting the basic and essential services from Oromia, services that a regional administration needs to establish itself as a regional government.
We view the 6th national election null and void since it does not meet criteria of an election by any standard. It was conducted without contending political parties, the two major political organizations that very well represented the interests of the citizens of Oromia, OLF & OFC, were forced to withdraw from the race. The election was conducted at a time when leaders, members, and supporters of these two organizations were languishing in prisons throughout the country. Almost all offices of both organizations were either raided or forced to close.
The OLF and OFC had shown their commitments to democratic principles and have done their best to make this election free and fair for all. They have been calling for constructive dialogues on different platforms for a return to the right course even after they sensed that the election process was getting off track. Mindful of the fraudulent election that did not resolve the country’s grave socio-political problems, the OLF and OFC made a national call to all stakeholders for the establishment of a government of national salvation in Ethiopia.
To guard its sovereignty and exercise self-rule, make a firm stride towards freedom and democratic rights, allow rays of peace to shine and end the misery of decades, and safeguard its national interests, it has become imperative for Oromia to establish a transitional government that operates until it is replaced by a democratically elected government. The OLF and OFC, as two major stakeholders, are taking upon the duty of shouldering the aspirations of the Oromo people in this historic effort and forming such a transitional government. Thus, after a thorough analysis of the ongoing political situation in the country, in consultation with Oromo intellectuals, professionals, and leaders of the Oromo civic society, the OLF and OFC hereby declare the establishment of the Oromia Regional National Transitional Government of Oromia (ORNTG) on this day of July 1, 2021, to serve for three years within which time a legitimate government of the people by the people is established. The ORNTG is being inaugurated at a very critical time in our region’s history, at a time when the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front is regaining its control over Tigray following a bloody war against the Federal forces, and at a time when the entire country is increasingly engulfed by chaos and unrest. These developments and the political deteriorations discussed above make the creation of the ORNTG imperative – to protect all the citizens of Oromia and better serve its people.
2. Oromia Regional National Transitional Government guiding principle
ORNTG accepts all International Human Rights Declarations that Ethiopia signed and in addition, during the transitional period, ORNTG:
2.1 Recognizes and sees to it that the ultimate power rests in the hands of the people of Oromia.
2.2 Respects and protects the rights of all citizens of Oromia.
2.3 Respects and defends equality between men and women.
2.4 Assures that Oromia Reginal State constitutions uder Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia are the supreme laws of Oromia. ORNTG shall not pass any laws contrary to these supreme laws.
2.5 Recognizes the separation of State and Religion in Oromia. There is no state religion. ORNTG respects freedom of religion.
2.6 Protects and respects the rights of other nationalities in Oromia.
2.7 Assures that the judiciary system is independent from the other branches of ORNTG.
2.8 Provides basic services and other duties as outlined by the law.
2.9 Collaborates with other regional governments and share responsibility with the federal government.
2.10 Works diligently to bring democracy, peace, stability, and economic development to the Horn of Africa.
3. Organizational Structure of Oromia Regional National Transitional Government
3.1 ORNTG shall have a Council composed of 337 members selected from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), civic society, religious institutions, Gadaa institution, youth organizations, and women organizations.
3.2 ORNTG serves as a transitional government of Oromia until a government elected by the people takes over. The term of ORNTG shall not exceed three years.
3.3 ORNTG council shall have a speaker and a vice speaker. The council establishes necessary committees to carry out its duties. The speaker of the council presides over the council’s meetings and is responsible for the governance of the council.
3.4 ORNTG has structures at different administrative levels. The ORNTG can have administrative structures at any level it wishes to.
3.5 ORNTG Council shall be the law-making body of ORNTG.
3.6 The responsibility for implementing and enforcing the laws rests with the president of ORNTG. The president reports to the ORNTG Council.
3.7 The President of ORNTG shall be the head of the executive branch of the ORNTG. The president shall represent ORNTG, and he shall nominate vice presidents and heads of executive departments to the ORNTG Council for approval. The president shall oversee and give directives to the executive departments.
3.8 During the transition period, existing government structures that are providing basic services to the people will continue to function. The ORNTG shall facilitate the completion of development projects that are underway.
3.9 ORNTG shall work closely with international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU), Diplomatic Mission Groups, Human Rights Groups, Non-Governmental Organizations, and any organizations that have interests in Oromia.
3.10 The ORNTG shall work with other regional/ state governments to create a genuine and all-inclusive transitional agreement at the federal level in the presence of third party such as the African Union, European Union, influential individuals, and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch to ensure that it is open, genuine, and free.
3.11 The ORNTG shall work with interested groups and organizations including international media to build a transparent and democratic system, to promote good governance, and launch upon expedited development.
4. Transitional Period Program
ORNTG shall work on security, political, economy, and social services of all Oromian citizens during the transitional period as listed below.
4.1. To establish peace and security that has been lacking in recent years in Oromia, ORNTG will:
a. Work with local communities to identify potential elements which can affect peace and security of the people and security forces will be immediately deployed to places where problems emerge to protect local communities to maintain peace.
b. Encourage discussions with neighboring leaders and other nationalities about shared values towards building peace and stability based on friendly relationships.
c. Work on repatriating families and displaced communities back to their homes and properties as soon as conditions permit.
d. Establish strategies to support communities who were either displaced or forced to leave their homes and lands because of their vulnerability to socio-economic challenges.
4.2 ORNTG shall establish a Commission on Reconciliation and Transitional Justice responsible to investigate and prosecute all crimes by previous regimes against citizens of Oromia.
4.3 ORNTG shall establish a special committee to collect data on all martyrs of Oromia and recommend appropriate commemoration for them.
4.4 In order to impose the rule of law, ORNTG will,
a. Reaffirm the independence of the judiaciary system and respect for the court’s decision.
b. Work to prevent illegal detentions and human right violations against anyone.
c. Persecute individuals or groups involved in illegal activities.
d. Protect properties of all citizens and residents of Oromia that were obtained legally.
e. Hold government officials at all levels accountable for any crimes or illegal activities they commit.
4.5 ORNTG shall facilitate a fair, free, and transparent election to establish a legitimate and legal government, and transfer power to the winning party(s).
4.6 Based on the policies of the ORNTG, all political prisoners will be released.
4.7 On economic growth, ORTNG will work to:
a. Identify all factors that resulted in low income and implement policies to improve living standards of the people.
b. Encourage everyone to build wealth but only through fair and legal practices.
c. Increase productivity and capacity in agriculture, animal breeding, business, and industrial sectors for national economic growth as well as to improve the living standards of the people.
d. Implement policies to expand transportation and communication as vital for economic growth.
4.8 On social justice, ORNTG shall work to,
a. Expand education, public health services, basic development infrastructures, and the likes, towards sufficient capacity for public services.
b. Create the environment for all social segments to participate and play their expected political, social, and economic roles while benefiting from them.
c. Maximize the contributions and involvements of women and children by recognizing their essential roles in today’s living conditions as well as for the future of the nation.
d. Strengthen the involvements of the youth and women in national political, economic, and social activities by recognizing their roles as a wealth of productive manpower for the nation.
e. Give special focuses to work on setting up government services for different disabled citizens.
We, members of the Transitional Council of ORNTG, unanimously approve and hereby declare the establishment of Oromia Regional Transitional Government.
Transitional Council of Oromia Regional National Transitional Government
June 30, 2021
Finfinnee

Ethiopia: OCHA Flash Update – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update – Situation in Tigray (1 July 2021)