

Ethiopia: A Joint Press Release by Tigray Independence Party (TIP), Salsay Weyane Tigray (SAWET), and National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytona) on the Current Situation in Tigray (01.02.2021)












It’s been 73 days since Abiy and Isayas’ clique have utilized foreign and internal armies with the explicit aim of subjugating the people of Tigray and if possible, destroy its very existence. But our people, aware of the sinister intentions of the enemy and under the guidance of our party, is inflicting huge losses upon them. Till now hundreds of thousands of invading armies of Prosperity and Eritrea have been swallowed up in the land of Tigray. Their fighter planes and heavy equipment have been turned to dust.
But the enemy, terrified by the heavy losses on the four battlefronts and all areas of Tigray, has resorted to massacring and harassing innocent children, women, the elderly and youth. Unable to contain the lightning attacks of the heroic Tigrayan defence forces, it’s now deafening us with its claim of capturing and killing veteran fighters and leaders of the people of Tigray who were unable to go to battlefronts due to bad health and age.
This week veteran fighters and leaders comrade Seyoum Mesfin, comrade Abay Tsehaye and comrade Asmelash Weldeselassie have been killed by the hands of the enemy. The martyrdom of our elite veteran leaders is part of the effort to cleanse and destroy the people of Tigray and as such it will only make us even more determined and upgrade our struggle to higher levels. Our people understand that this action of killing our veteran heroes has two aims. On one hand, its aim is to cover up the heavy losses and defeats that it’s facing on the battlefronts and exert psychological pressure on the Tigrayan people. On the other hand, in accordance with the desire of the leader of Sha’ibia (PFDJ), who had stated that Ethiopia ought to go through political laundry, it aims to completely destroy those leaders of the Tigray people who possess the ability to bring about concrete change in the Horn of Africa and who had inflicted deserved hammering of Sha’ibia (PFDJ). What our enemies fail to understand is that they cannot kill Tigrayan spirit and way of thinking by killing individuals. It is because of this that the youth of Tigray, possessing the determination of its ancestors and keeping fidelity to the words of its forefathers, is demonstrating amazing feats of heroism by pursuing the whereabouts of the enemy.
Our veteran leaders have embraced martyrdom choosing to confront death rather than abandon promises to their comrades and the people of Tigray and unwilling to bow down to the enemy. Honourable people of Tigray, your veteran leaders, by sacrificing their irreplaceable lives twice, have shown you their unyielding commitment. Be proud because your children will not forsake their promises to you. Honourable youth of Tigray, your fathers, even when burdened by agedness and health issues, have passed away honourably by defiantly refusing to yield to the enemy which has come to subdue Tigray. And we are certain that, cherishing this legacy of your forefathers, which is symbol of their amazing commitment, you will follow invading enemy forces, who are killers of your elders and your people and who have engaged in destroying your land, wherever they go and inflict vengeance upon them and show that Tigray remains to be the cemetery of invaders, not their playground.
Members of militia and fighters, who, holding strategic spots, are engaged in bloody battles with the enemy, know that thousands of Tigrayan youth, who felt proud of your astonishing determination, are joining the struggle. Tigray Defence Forces along with militia and fighters as well as newly joining youth members are on the verge of shortening the lifespan of the enemy. The reconnaissance mission the enemy has engaged anew is a sign that the sun is setting on it. Therefore, we call upon you to engage in your characteristic heroism, deprive the enemy of any outlet and hammer them. Let us strive towards decisive victory aware that the sacrifices of the heroes that have fallen on battlefronts is paving the way towards creating a secure future for Tigray.
Eternal honour and glory to the martyrs!
We shall be victorious!
The Government of Tigray
15 January, 2021

By Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
I remain extremely troubled by the humanitarian situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and its impact on civilians, in particular Eritrean refugees hosted in the region.
We have recently seen some positive developments, working with the government to access and assist vulnerable populations, including the transport and distribution of food to some 25,000 Eritrean refugees in the Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps in Tigray. Last week UNHCR and partners carried out a rapid assessment mission at the two camps with the Ethiopian Agency for Refugee and Returnee Affairs and have been able to start restoring the water supply and limited health services. We hope that soon we will be able to re-establish full protection and other humanitarian activities.
However, in spite of repeated requests, UNHCR and partners have not yet had any access to the Shimelba and Hitsats refugee camps since the start of the law and order operation two months ago.
I am very worried for the safety and well-being of Eritrean refugees in those camps. They have been without any aid for many weeks. Furthermore, and of utmost concern, I continue to receive many reliable reports and first-hand accounts of ongoing insecurity and allegations of grave and distressing human rights abuses, including killings, targeted abductions and forced return of refugees to Eritrea. Reports of additional military incursions over the last 10 days are consistent with open source satellite imagery showing new fires burning and other fresh signs of destruction at the two camps. These are concrete indications of major violations of international law.
Ethiopia has long given refuge to people fleeing conflict and persecution. The Federal Government has provided assurances that measures are being taken to minimize the impact of the conflict on civilians. I have impressed upon the Ethiopian leadership the urgency of ensuring the protection of refugees, preventing forced return, and keeping refugee camps safe from attacks and other threats from armed actors.
Equally distressing to UNHCR teams on the ground has been our inability to assist thousands of Eritrean refugees who continue to flee the camps in search of safety and support. Refugees arriving on foot to Shire town in Tigray are emaciated, begging for aid that is not available. Refugees who reached Addis Ababa are being returned to Tigray, some against their will. While access to Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps is a good start, I must reiterate the UN-wide call for full and unimpeded access – exploring all options to safely provide desperately needed assistance.
UNHCR remains committed to work with the Ethiopian government to carry out our mandate to protect and assist those forced to flee in line with the humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality. We remain available to seek solutions – together – to the current humanitarian problems in a spirit of collaboration and constructive partnership. Safe access and swift action are needed now to save thousands of lives at risk.






