Eritrea: A tale of bravery that ended in death – Berhane Aberhe

The former finance minister of Eritrea, Berhane Aberhe died on the 20th August 2024 in prison. As he awaited trial and sentencing for that matter. He lingered in detention and in jail for over years. He was arrested on the 17th September 2018.

The former Minister released the critical book called “Eritrea My Country” in January of 2018. That book challenged the PFDJ, HIGDEF and PIA. They were all in thorns and couldn’t accept the message.

The Former Minister even dared to say that the President of Life, the tyrant of the Republic that he should resign and be detained at Arat Kilo immediately. Also, telling the PFDJ to lay down their tool and let a Political Power Transfer Coordinating Committee takes the reigns for a short amount of time. Just enough time to install and instil democracy again. After the recent regime haven’t had either and the President had consolidated all powers of the nation.

That is really a message that isn’t regular in Asmara. The President Afwerki isn’t used to this sort of criticism. As he is the demigod and the man above them all. His the guy that was able to gain control and never let it go. That’s who he is and he has ensured that every single mechanism, institution or such that is in his way – suddenly goes away or is silenced.

That’s why journalists, former central committee members of the EPLF and the former ones of the EPLF Politburo are either missing or behind bars. The ones who used know or have any say is either not there. The same with other important members of the PFDJ who is behind bars or in detention as well. They are all there… so they cannot challenge the President and his reign.

That’s why Berhane was behind bars from 17th September 2018 to 20th August 2024 without a trial, sentencing or anything of that matter. He was behind bars 2164 days without any charge or justification. Just a man who dared to speak out and release a book with his ideas.

All of those ideas aren’t maybe that useful or that insightful. Regardless of that, he had knowledge and was a prior insider. A man that was entrusted with offices and was even sent to speak for the nation at the United Nations in 2005. Therefore, he was a man that the President once saw fit.

We saw the fall out and the feud. The ones who goes after PIA are losing. He dared to challenge the President and telling him that he should be a felon. The former Minister told His Excellency that he deserved to be in prison and be detained. That’s what he did and that takes courage. Especially, when dissent and opposition isn’t allowed in the nation.

Berhane Aberhe was even brave enough to say it was a “mistake” to anoint and appoint Afwerki as the head. He called it a mistake to let him take over the party and give him the throne. Because, the party and the liberation front shouldn’t have done so. They thought they only did it for an interim period, but Afwerki always found “excuses” for not holding elections or creating representative democracy in the nation. As there was “wars” or even outside forces creating dangerous precedence, which made it impossible to hold these sorts of things. That’s what Aberhe saw and stated.

The writings of Berhane Aberhe was his final utterances. He dared to challenge Isaias Afwerki. A man who uses the state and the bondage of law against others. The man who has all the instruments of the state at his disposal and no one can keep him accountable. That man he faced heads on and he paid a price.

The price was his life. His family was touched too. His wife was detained and reported also a son was taken into custody. I don’t know their status or how they are living at the moment. However, I wouldn’t be hopeful. When they treat him like this and they want to send a message.

They could easily touch the rest and ensure their demise. As the President doesn’t accept any dissidents whatsoever. Peace.

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – Re: Abiy Ahmed’s Continued Exportation of Violence and Instability (22.08.2024)

Ethiopia: Salsay Weyane Tigray – Press Release (19.08.2024)

Ethiopia: The TPLF is the gift that continue to give [and Abiy must be celebrating in Addis…]

Today it has been announced that 14 Central Committee Members are suspended and that includes the Second in Command, Getachew Reda who all defied the invitation and didn’t participate in the 14th Conference of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The TPLF is not only splitting into two fractions here, but weakening itself in an internal power-struggle. Which isn’t even legitimized by the authorities or the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Whatever the TPLF decides in the 14th Conference can easily become “null and void” as the authorities and such didn’t authorize it.

That means the decisions to expel and suspend members within the central committee could become futile. Especially, since the party is struggling to become a national and legal political entity after the recent conflict. Which made the political party into a “terrorist organization” and haven’t been able to legally return as a political party.

With that in mind and such, the need of defiance and work against the federal government only undermine the efforts to rebuild and restructure the war-torn region of Tigray. The TPLF is working against itself and weakening their own cause. They are playing Games of Thrones and we don’t know who will fall in the end.

The battle of leadership, the battle of who is ranking and who is the big-man isn’t solving the needs of the Tigray region. The TPLF is becoming a fist fight and a publicity game between Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda. Two men of staunch leadership and ideals, but easily can waste their opportunities.

The Pretoria Agreement and cessation of hostilities has backfired for the party. Only installing a temporary Interim Regional Administration. That is causing internal squabble and in-fighting. That must make Prime Minister Abiy happy. As he see the party and the former power-house is in self-destruction mode.

For a man and a warlord like Abiy. Seeing the enemies fight themselves and weaken their hands. It must be a good day. To see the TPLF becoming to fractions and see they fight in public. That must be a victorious feeling. Seeing the TPLF becoming a battleground and a space of infighting. Which only benefits Abiy. Because he has a weaker party and who is lacking proper procedure. That gives him and the authorities all the reasons to strike down against it.

The Conference in itself can be a vantage point. It can be the straw… and Abiy can find reasons to use that to his advantage. Now he can also play on the TIRA versus TPLF. As they are separate entities. Reda is now dismissed and has to figure out the next steps. That will be new world for him. While the TPLF maybe went a fools errand and will further its cause into oblivion. As they are not complying or interested in playing the games of federal government. Which in the end…

Make the TPLF an “illegal” entity and not a legit party. Reda and Debretsion should talk. They need to sit down and figure this one out. Unless, they want to weaken their hand and be easy prey to Abiy.

Right now… Abiy is winning and these people are playing into his hand. They are deceiving each other and backstabbing each other. While the Prime Minister waits for the moment that he can rule over them with an iron fist and get his way. That’s what is up here and we would think the old rulers would see it coming. However, they never did… Peace.

Opinion: The TPLF is playing a game it cannot win…

Today there is a Congress of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Mekelle, Tigray. That is happening as the NEBE has blocked the re-issue and re-establishment of the party. Which is done in stark contrast to the Pretoria Agreement. Alas, there is trouble ahead and the Prosperity Party (PP) can just follow the moves.

The ones in charge have to take responsibility. The different fractions of the party are becoming dire too. As people are saying not to hold the Congress and they will not participate. It is like the Pretoria Agreement has split the party and the ones powerful powerhouse in Tigray region.

Now we are seeing to fractions lead by one Getachew Reda and Debretsion Gebremichael. They have become friendemies. These are people who has worked together for years, but now seemingly struggle to cope with the new surroundings.

Some are saying Reda is playing parley with the government and is their puppet. He is saying Gebremichael and the ones participating in the Congress is going into the trap of the government. They are being played and will be “null and void”. As they held Congress without prior notification and agreement with NEBE. Which makes the whole act redundant. And makes the kingmakers of the Congress totally powerless.

The ones running it will dismiss Reda and say his Abiy’s lapdog. He is playing to the ideals of the state and isn’t there for his party. That Reda has sold his soul and isn’t willing to budge, because he has a title and official role in the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA). That’s why he won’t lose that or the lose the access to these temporary power structures, which has been put in place after the Pretoria Agreement.

It seems like the Prosperity Party and Prime Minister Abiy got a bargain with the Pretoria Agreement. It is destroying and making the TPLF weakened by the day. The agreement and the way the power plays are tarnishing the party. The TPLF doesn’t have the power or the ability to move as it pleases. That is disturbing, but also the reality it is living in.

The TPLF when it signed the Pretoria Agreement it entrusted itself in the Federal Government and the will to implement the articles of it. Alas, we are seeing that isn’t happening. The TPLF is outplayed and outsmarted by the cunning Abiy. They accepted the folly and now have to humiliate itself. Even if it means losing valuable assets or old properties for that matter. The TPLF has to either become a new entity or become history.

That’s the choice of the Pretoria Agreeement. The Agreement that gives Abiy and the PP leverage. The one that gives him allies and people who are willing to trade off the old relics of the region. TPLF isn’t all powerful and has the leverage it needs. That’s why NEBE is blocking it’s re-registration and return as a legal entity. This is done deliberately and it’s not Reda’s fault. It is the whole party and everyone who accepted the Pretoria Agreement.

That agreement made it possible and gave way to Abiy. Abiy can toy around the TPLF and that what he does. Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda is all in the mercy of the Prime Minister. We are just seeing Abiy tricking them and they accepted this fate.

It is just astonishing and such, that the leaders of the TPLF trusted a man who wanted them annihilated and silence them completely. Abiy wanted to get rid of them and stop them in their tracks. He wanted them to bend the knee and kiss the ring. Now one of them has too. Especially, if they ever want to see the TPLF – to live another day. As long as this continues. The NEBE and the PP will just dismiss it, and the ones in power of the party will look like a fool. They woere played and they didn’t think a few steps ahead. They trusted a liar and a warlord. They trusted that he would give them life and allow them to exist. That’s a stupid idea, but that what they did. Peace.

Ethiopia: Salsay Weyane Tigray – Press Release (05.08.2024)

Ethiopia: Abiy aren’t holding no talks with Fano or the OLF-OLA…

It’s been a while since we started negotiations and peace talks with armed forces in the Amhara Regional State” (…) Because the forces are headed by different leaders, we’ve had to talk to each of them one at a time. When one leader agrees, the other disagrees. But the fact is we are still in continuous communication with forces in Amhara. The leaders are in talks with the government, but they have diverging positions” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (01.08.2024).

Just like the Ministry of Peace isn’t fostering any peace or the National Dialogue Commission aren’t making any substantial progress in concern to dialogue. In the same manner that the Prosperity Party aren’t making the nation prosperous either. It is just the ways things are moving with a warlord and liar-in-chief.

Prime Minister Abiy could take power and cling on to it. He now has the funds and the ability to prolong the agony. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank is funding his operations and gives him strength. That’s why he has to make them belief that the situation is better and his progressing. Even if it is all built on a lie and won’t amount to anything.

We know that he isn’t in talks with the Amhara Fano Leaders and neither is he trying to forge new dialogue with the Oromo Liberation Front/Army (OLF/A). That is something that is far from what he would do. For so long now and with new offensives. He should instead have them on their knees and beg for mercy. Alas, that isn’t happening and his armies are out of loss.

The same is true with Shane. The Shane, armed groups in Oromia, are also led by more than one leader under different groups. Since these groups have different positions, we are in talks with some sects. The major factor that is hindering agreement with those forces is that they consist of different groups, so agreeing with one sect does not lead to an agreement with the whole armed force” (Abiy, 01.08.2024).

We are just seeing a man who is willing to lie about something as significant as this. Speaking of dialogue and talks, but there is nothing there. Nothing is happening, except for more drones and battles in the regions. The Fano’s are still fighting the federal government. OLF/A is still fighting the federal government too. Therefore, nothing is changing and only more bloodshed.

Ethiopia aren’t getting better, but only getting more worse. The new macro-financial policies will only devour the economy and deplete the state. It is only the beginning and the loans will be used up eventually. These funds won’t last long as the PM needs fresh weapons and ammunition, and that doesn’t come cheap. Wars aren’t only costing life, but is an expensive affair. To use force to consolidate power take not only time, but also lots of reserves, which has run out for the PM. That’s why he had to accept the terms of the IMF/WB to get fresh liquidity.

Now, he has to show another face and act like his a man of peace. Even when he isn’t and we all know it. His a blood-thirsty man and a tyrant. A man of war and usage of lethal force in the name of rule of law. He will use the armies and soldiers to get the last remaining dissident to obey him. That’s what Abiy does… and he cannot manipulate the facts anymore.

He was able to trick the nation and the world at one point. Now years down the line. The truth is out. The Medemer Terror is a Modus Operandi and the liar-in-chief continues to lie. Lying about negotiations and talks. Like his talking to them in his head and envisions that ghosts appears to accept his invitation. That’s a delusion or an outright use of power to make belief. In a way to seem more hospitable and sincere. When we all know… he would just like to see them all die. So he can rule supreme as the new Emperor of Addis Ababa. Peace.

Ethiopia: Amhara Fano Leaders – International financial institutions are making a mistake of historic proportions by endorsing Amahra Genocide in Ethiopia (02.08.2024)

Ethiopia: Statement from National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytona), Salsay Weyane Tigray and Tigray Independence Party (TIP) – (30.07.2024)

Ethiopia: Birr devalued on IMF demands… [and a proof of a broken war-torn economy]

A few days ago, Inside Africa reported that the IMF wanted the Ethiopian birr to be devalued, as it currently trades about 50% weaker than the exchange rate on the black market. This devaluation was necessary for Ethiopia to secure $10.5 billion from the IMF. It seems the Ethiopian government has accepted the IMF’s demands by adjusting the exchange rate to reflect market realities” (Inside Africa, 28.07.2024).

This here is a big blow for the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali who has broken the economy. All of his warfare and destruction is haunting the state reserves. The continues plague of conflict and usage of force is costing him. That’s why the markets and the lenders are putting hefty strings on the next loan.

Prime Minister Abiy is now in the mercy of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to run his nation. They are now putting strings on the loans he needs to be fiscally stable. The need of fresh currency and cash-flow is the reason for this. As the government needs more funding to operate and be viable.

That’s why the recent macro-economic policy shift is a worrying sign. The devaluation of the currency will wreck the economy. It will cause an affect on the rating of the nation economy as a whole and also ensure possible rising inflation. This is an evil cycle that can break a nation.

That the Prime Minister is accepting these strings is possibly the “kill shot”. This is the end-game… and it shows that the PM had no other choice. He knew he couldn’t muster confidence or donors to cover a possibly shortfall. He needed the IMF to bail him out. They are now bailing him out, but the government will pay. The citizens will pay even more and the businesses will pay a huge burden too. This is just a tale of sinking ship.

The birr will over time be worthless or even be a mockery of it once was. The short-term salvage and fiscal funding will cease. The state will need more over time and cannot sustain whatever it has for the moment. That’s why they were in need of IMF bailout to begin with. The wars and the conflicts has also stopped the progression and the positive outlook that the Ethiopian economy had.

The PM had inherited a nation of prospects and hope in financial terms, but has been able to destroy and deplete that completely. That’s part of Abiy’s legacy and now he bends the knee for IMF. He becomes their puppets and he tries to make it seem like it was his idea. When the IMF gave him the stings and he made the song out of it. The tune will be played and it will be funeral march. This will be the start of a financial downturn and depression. That’s what is bond to happen.

The birr devaluation is the first step to a highly rising inflation and added costs on everyone. This means everything imported will cost more and that burden will be on the citizens. That’s a cycle of more taking away more funds from circulation and will be spiral of evil. The sort that destroys an economy and that was done on the altar of internal warfare. Internal warfare born out of greed to consolidate power by any means necessary.

Prime Minister Abiy isn’t only depraving people their freedoms and liberties, but now he will empty their pockets on behalf of the IMF and World Bank. Those institutions save him and his reign, but the cost of that will become the burden of the citizens. Peace.