Ethiopia: Abiy has no shame…

The recent interview Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali had with Fana Television. Shows that he has no heart and no shame. He doesn’t mind the atrocities, fatalities and the horrific actions done on his orders. His willing to target and blame humanitarian organizations and civil society who is there on a mission to heal, shelter and patch the hurt, which he has created since November 2020 in the Tigray Region.

When he claims the Western organizations, the United Nations Organizations and the Aid Organizations has another agenda. They have hidden motives and are arming the Tigay People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). You know he has lost his marbles.

Yes, in the past CIA and other used various of methods to arm and stop the Derg. That was part of the cold-war effort to get rid of a pro-communist government in Addis Ababa. This is now history and the U.S. cannot deflect from that. Neither, all the other supporters of it.

However, the state has created a quagmire. They have blocked the citizens from their fields, taking care of their livestock and livelihood. As the warfare is prolonged for months. There been reports of a high level of famine for over 300,000 people and even more in dire distress. There been reports from the state authorities and the interim government of Tigray. That there is a lack of agricultural output and most of the production has ceased since the conflict started.

So, when people are not producing food. When the state is blocking is aid convoys and making it hard for aid organizations to operate. When the state is doing the bare minimum and barely that. Then you got a famine on your hands. This is a self-inflicted famine caused by the months of war. It didn’t happen over night, but it is a cause and a effect.

This is a disgrace. That the Prime Minister claims its a manufactured famine. In some regards it is, because this isn’t as a result of climate change or lack of rain. No, this is because of the warfare and the conflict. That has torn the Tigray region apart and destroyed the regions farms and their agricultural output.

So, when he says it a sham. Does this man have to two brain-cells to work together? Because, when you make an action. No matter what it is… in the end you have an reaction. After an reaction… you can usually see somewhat of a result. If you like that result or digest the effort. That is another thing. However, any reasonable man see that and accepts it.

Why did I say that? Well, when you have caused warfare. Taken it to the villages, the towns and the woredas of Tigray. There is with easy reason and it is already established by the authorities itself. That the food production is suffering as a cause of it. Therefore, the famine is real and isn’t a sham created by the UN organizations or a new Live-Aid rip-off organization. No, it’s the real deal and the Prime Minister better act upon it.

His soldiers and allies are already blocking and making it impossible for the aid organizations to properly function in the region. Secondly, it is not strange… when they have such an attitude and is so paranoid, as the Prime Minister seems to be. Instead, of thinking that these organizations are actually saving lives. They are actually doing the job where his government have failed. His government has failed this people and is the reason why these folks are starving. That is the truth of it all…

And even then his shamefully saying to the world… that he doesn’t trust the people who comes there to cover for his own failing. That’s the delusion and it shouldn’t be real. However, this man doesn’t have a heart or concern of the population. He only values the grandeur of his office and that he was able to consolidate all power. Peace.

Ethiopia: Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) – Horrified by the Brutal Murder of Three Colleagues in Ethiopia (25.06.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front/Army – OLF/OLA High Command – Update on the Detained Afghani Nationals (25.06.2021)

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press statement on the concerns of partners and friends on the 6th General Elections in Ethiopia (25.06.2021)

Ethiopia: Mufti willing to sow diversion over the Togoga bombing this week…

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dina Mufti: “This is simply a diversionary tactic and they want to divert the attention of the government and the Ethiopian people from what they are doing,” he underscored. Emphasizing that the government never targets civilians, Dina said “Tigryans are our people. We take care of them, and targeting civilians is not in the interest of the government. But the junta elements should be hunted down and brought to justice.” (Ethiopian News Agency – ‘Airstrike Report on Civilians in Tigray Fabricated, Diversionary Tactic: Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 24.06.2021).

It is strange that reporting on a initial bombing is being told as a diversion tactic by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) in concern of the victims and the fatalities of their own citizens in Tigray Region. They are together with the Tripartite Alliance in the continued warfare in the region. This is disgraceful … and they will use this tactic in the times to come.

They want positive headlines, but not reporting on their acts in Tigray. They want blind praise and speeches of grandeur. That the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister is the second coming of Christ. This is what they want, but that isn’t a gift you get automatically.

The aerial bombing of the Togoga market is a horrific act and a crime against humanity. However, there been so many massacres since early November 2020. That this is just following of their actions there. It is tragic, but at this current day. Lives are cheap and not valued by the state. As the warfare that was only supposed to last for a few weeks, but is still on-going.

Here is official statements on how the state addressed the Togoga market bombing…

The International Committee of the Red Cross statement on the 23rd June 2021:

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helped facilitate medical evacuation of wounded people by the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) from Togoga village, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The operation was conducted in coordination with all relevant parties. The wounded were transported in ERCS ambulances and are now receiving medical treatment in Ayder Referral hospital in Mekelle. “We will always support Movement partners in the provision of life-saving services to people affected by conflict and violence,” said Nicolas Von Arx, ICRC’s Head of delegation in Addis Ababa. “We cannot stress enough how vital it is for the medical mission to be respected and protected at all times.”” (ICRC – ‘ICRC facilitates medical evacuation of wounded people from Togoga village in Tigray’ 23.06.2021).

A statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:

(New York, 23 June 2021): I am deeply disturbed by reports of bombing yesterday that killed and wounded civilians in a market in Togoga, Tigray. I am equally alarmed by reports of armed forces blocking roads and preventing ambulances from evacuating the wounded for medical treatment. I extend my sincere condolences to the victims’ families and community. All parties to the conflict must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. Attacks directed against civilians and indiscriminate attacks are prohibited, and all parties must take constant care to spare civilians throughout military operations. The wounded must receive, to the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay, the medical care and attention they need” (OCHA – ‘Statement by Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham, on Tigray’ 23.06.2021).

That the government calls this a diversion is a insult to all the people who was touched, hurt and died in this attack of that market that day. They deserve a government shielding them from war and keeping them safe. Not a government who has ordered the war, use their allies and trying to keep the initial acts of the warfare hidden from the world. Because, that is what the Ethiopian government have tried for months to do. Now they hope to pin the ones reporting it as a tactic to look away from its achievements and what it has accomplished recently.

However, the Spokesperson says they haven’t hurt civilians and that has been excuse from the get-go. Just like the Prime Minister said not a single civilian was killed during the first siege of Mekelle in November 2020 well. We have seen this before and it’s tragic. That the government isn’t doing it’s duty, but using a blame-game.

There are even reports of the soldiers blocking the hurt, the dying civilians from getting medical treatment or health care in Mekelle. As they were blocked while passing though road-blocks. That just shows how insincere this government is and what they are willing to say. This has to be remembered in the other lies from the same state. That has lied about so many factors in this war and it continues to spew out falsehoods. While civilians and innocent citizens are dying, because one man wanted to consolidate all power in Addis Ababa. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray Center for Information and Communication – Ethiopia Bombs Marketplace in Togoga Village, Tigray (22.06.2021)

Ethiopia: A statement from the Oromo Federalist Congress on the Ethiopian ‘Elections’ – An election that is not fair and not inclusive cannot deliver democracy (23.06.2021)

A look into the African Union EOM Preliminary Statement on the Ethiopian Elections of 2021

The Mission notes that this is the first time that the Prime Minister is seeking political legitimacy through elections, hence the importance attached to these elections” (African Union, 23.06.2021).

Today, the African Union Election Observation Monitoring Preliminary Statement on the 21st June 2021 Ethiopian Elections. This is two days after the polls and it sets the standards on how many will look at these elections.

We can question the elections long before the polls. That’s because of how the state is operating. There is no safe-space and limited freedom for the opposition. The opposition and the ones who dissent from the current leadership is in danger. They are either behind bars, on the run or dead. Therefore, we know this election was rigged before it started. If the leadership wanted a free and fair election. They wouldn’t have blocked, arrested and stopped the opposition from running as well. Which it did with a ruthless hand.

The African Union EOM states this as well: “Notwithstanding the substantive reforms undertaken, the arrest and detention of high-profile opposition individuals have resulted in certain political parties boycotting the elections, while others have been barred from taking part in the elections” (African Union, 23.06.2021). So, when I states that it has occurred, the AU says it as well.

What is worrying and kept under the weather is this fact, which the AU says now: “The Mission notes that most of the members and staff of NEBE have little or no prior election administration experience and conducted the 2021 general elections under a new and untested legal framework. The limited experience may have contributed to the operational and logistical challenges NEBE encountered” (African Union, 23.06.2021).

That really states a fact, which should worry anyone. As the regime and party can use these inexperienced bureaucrats to ensure their victory. They will follow orders and comply, as they are appointed and gotten their offices, accordingly with the current leadership. That’s how this seems and could easily be swayed that way.

What’s the most striking is the repetition of this recommendation, which says a lot about the current regime: “Urgently undertake measures to heal societal divisions through national reconciliation, dialogue, and inclusivity” (African Union, 23.06.2021). The AU recommended this to the government, AU itself and the International Community to “undertake National reconciliation initiatives”. That’s says it all about the how things are and how dire it is. When they can see, but not putting any distress on the matter. They could have come with an warning, but I don’t think the AU EOM dares to do so. This is why they are saying this and putting it forward.

However, they are asking the Prime Minister and his party to seek dialogue. When they are the ones who has weaponized the political sphere and has used the state as a tool to oppress their opposition. You expect the leaders who calls for war will suddenly talk of cease-fire? Well, I doubt that. I think they rather want to see the demise of the ones in their way. Before ever considering to talk to the ones who is in their way…

The most disgusting and legitimizing the elections was these sentences from the conclusion, which says this: “There was nothing, in estimation, that distracted from the credible conduct of the elections. The Mission, therefore, commends all Ethiopians for the demonstrated commitment to the democratic development of the country” (African Union, 23.06.2021).

It is really striking to call it a credible election, when so many political prisoners and so many who is left behind. That should be the first step to say this election isn’t credible. Because, how can it be, when the opposition isn’t really participating? When the dissidents and opposition does have the ability to participate, but still calling it credible? How is that possible and what reasoning can you have to get there?

For me… that’s an impossible task and election to have. When there is no middle-ground and a system working against the one it opposes. Therefore, the AU EOM is deliberately being a tool for legitimacy. Which they state the importance of and also shows the need for reconciliation. However, don’t expect that to happen from the same guys, which orders the arrest of others. That isn’t happening, unless the Prime Minister and his party needs to buy time. Before they again arrests them and goes after them. That’s what is to be expected, because this government fears them and their popularity. If they didn’t fear them and couldn’t use them. They would have let them go and would have let them participate in this election. Nevertheless, they didn’t do that and that’s why we are here.

This wasn’t an credible election and the AU EOM is doing itself a disservice… and it’s not surprising. The AU EOMs are a dictators best friend. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigray Scholars (GSTS) – Open Letter – A Call for Immediate Intervention to Stop further use of cluster Bombs and Incendiary Weapons on Civilians in Tigray (22.06.2021)

A look into the newest UN Special Rapporteur Report (47-HRC) on Eritrea and the Shabait Rebuttal

What I will do is to take things side-by-side just to show how ridiculous things can become. Because, this is just showing how things are finessed and done. This is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Shabait) and how the United Nations operate. The lack of coordination and the lack of mutual consent. Which is the reason for this.

We know its getting hectic, when the Shabait response to the whole report has this headline: “Rumors Cannot be Presented as Facts”. That’s how they pop-it off. It sets the parameter and shows their ways. There is no middle-ground, but just throwing everything at it.

We know the Special Rapporteur Mohamed Abdelsalam Babike doesn’t have a nice job either. As he states early this: “given the lack of cooperation of the Government with the Special Rapporteur, who was denied access to the country, he collated the necessary information through alternative means”. Because of that he was forced to: “The Special Rapporteur conducted remote monitoring and held meetings with a broad range of actors, such as diplomats, human rights defenders, civil society representatives and academics. In addition, the Special Rapporteur collected first-hand information from Eritrean refugees residing in other countries, with a view to informing his assessment of the situation of human rights in Eritrea”.

In this regard, the Eritrean government gave him no choice but do things remotely. Still, they are saying this in their rebuttal about the method: “As with previous SR reports on Eritrea, the lack of reliable data, heavy dependence on biased sources, non-verifiable approach, and ignorance of Eritrea’s ground realities renders the methodology and the essence of the allegations tenuous and unacceptable”.

What is funny about this… the government says they want a reliable and another methodology, but dismiss and doesn’t make it possible for the Special Rapporteur to investigate in the first place. So, if you close the borders and doesn’t cooperate. How is he supposed to get the information in the first place? You cannot close the doors and also claim whatever information he collects as wrong. With this sort of look into it. It seems like the objective of Eritrea is to call everything bogus and lies, while not allowing people to look into their works. This is the United Nations and not just a random organization having a mission of some sorts. Therefore, this is just making things more suspicious in the end of Eritrea. That they don’t want information out in the first place…

When things gets really tricky, is when the Special Rapporteur says this: “The Special Rapporteur highlights that, as a member of the Human Rights Council, Eritrea should strengthen its cooperation with all human rights mechanisms. In particular, the Special Rapporteur encourages the Government to strengthen its cooperation with his mandate and engage constructively, and to enhance its engagement and technical cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which remains ready to assist Eritrea in the three priority human rights areas identified by the authorities, as well as in the implementation of the recommendations from human rights mechanisms, including those emanating from the universal periodic review”.

While Shabait says this: “Like every other country in the world, Eritrea faces challenges. However, the GoSE continuously works to address these challenges and improve human rights standards in the country. Accordingly, there is no “crisis” that warrants the targeting of the nation through HRC agendas and mandates”. When Eritrea answers the UN Special Rapporteur like this. You know the whole thing is bound to fail. The UN Special Rapporteur is there, because the UN appointed him. Not because his job is to undermine Eritrea. That’s just a fact and the government in Asmara clearly don’t want that. However, their hostility and lack of cooperation. Only opens up the questions… why are they hiding and not just giving way, if they have a perfect Human Rights record? Why are they not inviting and showing the greatness of the Republic?

Well… you go figure… right?

Then, you have this one, which is on the origin of the Tigray conflict. The Special Rapporteur says this: On 4 November 2020, tensions escalated in the region and an armed conflict erupted in Tigray when the Ethiopian National Defence Forces launched a military offensive against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front in response to reported attacks against the Ethiopian National Defence Forces’ military bases in Tigray by Tigrayan forces. The Ethiopian National Defence Forces were allegedly supported by Amhara regional forces and the Amhara Fano militia in western Tigray, and in particular by the Eritrean Defence Forces in northern and central Tigray”. While Shabait answers with this: “Emboldened by some governments, the Western media, and NGOs, the TPLF, by its own admission, unleashed an insurrectionist war in November 2020 after it was ousted from power in 2018 after 27 years of despotic rule in Ethiopia. The objective of this massive, premeditated and unprovoked attack that the TPLF launched on all the contingents of the Ethiopian army in the north was to totally neutralize the Northern Command which possessed around 80% of the EDF’s total arsenal. The TPLF killed several hundred non-Tigrayan soldiers within the Northern Command and its overall plan was to topple the central government once it had pacified the Northern Command”. As Shabait continues: “Subsequent plans included military action against Eritrea to advance its avowed “regime change” agenda as well as incorporation of Eritrean sovereign territories for its long-term, multi-layered, aims and aspirations”.

Here you see that Eritrea isn’t looking into their own actions or as a part of the tripartite alliance in Tigray region. No, they are shifting everything at the TPLF. That is an deliberate act. While the Special Rapporteur is looking at it objectively. That’s why the wording is so careful. The Shabait is going after the TPLF and their actions, but not stating anything about their own. Also, giving a history lesson of the misdeeds of the TPLF. While it is not saying it is currently involved any of it itself. Implying it is all justified and there is no reason to doubt that… While all three parties was preparing and launching the attacks on Tigray. So, they could easily blame the TPLF no matter what it did… and the rest is history and a conflict living on to this day.

What is further striking is this one, where the Special Rapporteur says this: “The Special Rapporteur welcomes the decision adopted on 22 March 2021 by the Council of the European Union, under the European Union’s global human rights sanctions regime, imposing sanctions on Eritrea for serious violations of human rights, including acts of torture, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and killings in Eritrea. The Council imposed restrictive measures on eleven individuals and four entities responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses in China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Libya, the Russian Federation and South Sudan”. When Shabait retorts with this: “Mention has also been made regarding EU sanctions on Eritrea amid the ongoing discussion to withhold development support in particular in the pretext of the unwarranted and worn-out allegations surrounding National Service and forced labor (paragraph 24) as well as other baseless human rights allegations. Any such pre-condition on development cooperation is unacceptable. Eritrea remains committed to the effective mobilization, higher organization, and creation of national capacity in the implementation of its development programmes. It is, however, equally committed to cooperation predicated on partnership, involving mutual respect and understanding. Thus, it rejects any attempts at intimidation, coercion, or harassment under the veil of human rights and development cooperation”.

Here we are seeing a stark contrast again. What is really significant. That Eritrea is against the sanctions. That’s to be expected, because who wants to be sanctioned and getting retribution. However, instead of letting people in and see that these things doesn’t happen. The Eritrean state is just retaliating. The UN Special Rapporteur only verifies the reports and the surrounding misgivings of the Eritrean state. Something the Eritrean doesn’t prove to be wrong. They just call it baseless, but doesn’t prove anything or say anything in significant in consideration with the alleged human rights violations. Which is the reason of the sanctions in the first place. The EU will have mechanisms where there is a need for burden of proof and evidence before sanctioning a nation. Which in effect has been enacted. Eritrea furthers the victimhood by calling it harassment and intimidation. That just shows they have no intent in changing its behaviour or try to prove their innocence.

The UN Special Rapporteur says: “The Special Rapporteur is concerned that the indefinite duration of military and civil service reportedly remains one of the main causes for the departure of Eritreans from their country. With the end of the state of war with Ethiopia, the Special Rapporteur encourages the Government to outline a timetable for reforms to its national service”. The Shabait answers with: “The causality inference (paragraph 40) suggested in the present report between national service and migration from Eritrea is unjustified and unacceptable. In line with the new development drive, as well as the emerging prospects of viable peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa, efforts will gradually be made to return National Service to its original duration. Moreover, a significant number of national service members have been integrated into the new remuneration system which improved the salary scale of the civil service”.

This here shows the trouble with it here. As the Special Rapporteur states an issue with the military and civil service in Eritrea. While the Shabait tries to dismiss that. However, there is no way this is explaining the Eritreans fleeing from these state programs, which is causing this. The Eritrean government is downplaying it. This just shows how things are… and therefore, we just know the ideals will not be answered. That was a proof of the beginning.

They are both ending with this, which is interesting. The Special Rapporteur states this: “The Special Rapporteur calls upon the Government to acknowledge the persistence of human rights violations and abuses in Eritrea, and to allow him and other human rights mandate holders effective access to visit all areas of the country and meet with relevant stakeholders, with a view to addressing the human rights challenges that it faces”. While Shabait says this: “It is time for the HRC to break with its 8-years long unproductive approach by terminating the mandate imposed on Eritrea. On its part, Eritrea will continue to expand and consolidate dignified engagement and international cooperation based on partnership and will continue its modest contribution to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council, while working together with other members to depoliticize the Council and its agendas”.

This is how two worlds are colliding. A nation and a sovereign like Eritrea who is saying everything is baseless. While Eritrea isn’t opening up for the UN Special Rapporteur. Therefore, the allegations and the reported breaches of human rights violations aren’t investigated directly, but only proven by eyewitnesses in the diaspora.

The Eritrean state should consider another path, because this sort of retort isn’t safeguarding it. It is just opening up a plethora of questions. As it is not willing to open up. Shabait is just throwing shade. This sort of answer isn’t making any good grounds, but make you further questions the actions of Eritrea.

The UN Special Rapporteur is appointed and gotten a mandate from someone else. Shabait is only defending its state, but its not doing a good job. It is a hit-job, but not hitting the target. Unless, it was to make headlines in local news. Where they can look like they did something, which isn’t true. It did nothing… Peace.