Ethiopia: National Congress of Great Tigray – Open Letter (03.07.2023)

Ethiopia: The Amhara Popular Front fights for Independence…

There is no reason for Amhara to step back the goal of establishing the great country of Amhara thinking they will be sad by Yulnata and others. From now on we don’t have a language to sing Ethiopia Ethiopia. Those who have been killed, displaced and suffered while singing for Ethiopia are enough. Now our language and work is to establish the great Amhara.

Victory to the vast people of Amhara!!” (Amhara Popular Front, 02.07.2023).

The tides are turning. Eskinder Nega and his fellow men are now on a real quest. They have already been launched and as a result of losing allegiance with the Prime Minister. The former Amhara allies and para-military group members have now joined forces. The Amhara Popular Front is a group of former Fano militants and former member of the Regional Special Forces, which where to be disbanded by the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF).

The Amhara elite and the “No More” brigade have felt a pinch and loss of influence as the Tigray war got on hold with the Cessation of Hostilities. They haven’t since then left the region or certain parts of it. Instead they have annexed it and made it part of their own. That’s been done in alliance with the Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF). Therefore, the losers of the war and the ones accepting a hostile peace is the Tigrayan people and the Interim Regional Administration (Tigray People’s Liberation Front).

Nega knows all of this and he had the ambition to prolong the war. His the sort of politician that actually thrived on the war and wanted it to totally annihilate the region. Nevertheless, times are changing and Addis Ababa don’t need to be that hostile towards Tigray. However, the Federal Government haven’t opened up all the gates or services just yet. There is still loose ends and lots of suffering in Tigray. Regardless of what anyone thinks of the agreement and the peace, which was announced months ago in Pretoria, South Africa.

The APF is just doing what the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) never did. The TDF fought to survive and overcome the Tripartite Alliance. While the TDF was also defending its own and trying to avoid further bloodshed.

The APF is in its stead now fighting for nationhood and be outside of the federation. That’s another goal and set of objectives. That is dismantling the boundaries of the state and the initial purpose of the rebellion. In the onset, it seemed to target the Prime Minister and his reign. At least that was in the official release when the APF was founded.

Now however the goal post has shifted. They are now fighting to be sovereign independent nation and that’s mean leaving the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE). If they wanted to do it correctly. They would have followed the direct guidelines of the 1995 Constitution. Though I doubt the APF has this in mind.

The 1995 Constitution article 39 (4) is clear on this and is a protocol for how to do it. So, if the Legislative Council of the Nation (Amhara) votes for a Referendum with a margin of two-thirds majority. Then, the Federal Government has to organize an election within 3 years. After that, if a majority supported the referendum. It is at that point the Federal Government have to transfer its powers to the Council of the Nation.

That’s what the Amhara Regional State could do, if it wanted too. Regardless of how the Prosperity Party or Prime Minister Abiy would feel about. That’s the law and the Constitution we are talking about. However, we know the APF doesn’t regard that or consider this way. If they did… then they wouldn’t have the territories or the “greater” Amhara which it thrives for, apparently. The map and the moving of goal post just shows that.

This is lofty ambitions and Addis Ababa should listen here. Abiy is now warned and now he has people talking of ceding and leaving the Federation. There been speculations in the past of other regions doing the same. That’s why I knew about the article in the 1995 Constitution. It is already there and gives a way forward.

The APF will try to do this by the gun. Meaning more violence and extra judicial killings. There will be retaliation and the battlefield will be near people’s homes. Innocent lives taken and one armed militia fighting the national army. That’s the gist of things and damage will done on the regular.

If the APF thinks this is easy. They should learn and abide by the principals of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). OLF has fought the longest against the state and against oppression in Oromia. If there is anyone who has fought and done the hard work, it is them. They have never ceased and never given up their fight. Therefore, APF is just beginning.

The APF is now levelling up. They are rising the stakes, but making it less possible to succeed. It might be a quest worth taking, but it will not only cost, but make them traitors. This is treasonous thoughts and ideals. Especially if they are intending to do so outside the bounds of the 1995 Constitution. Peace.

Ethiopia: Salsay Weyane Tigrai (SaWeT) – Statement of Salsay Weyane Tigray on the Illegal Incorporation of Tigrayan Woredas and schools to Amhara regional state by the Ministry of Education, Ethiopia (01.07.2023)

Ethiopia: Union of Tigrayans in North America (UTNA) – UTNA Condemns the wicked maneyverings of the Ministry of Education of Ethiopia (30.06.2023)

Ethiopia: Refugees and Returnees Service – Statement in Response to EHRC’s Report on the Return of Eritreans (25.06.1012)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – The 50th Jubilee Anniversary of the Foundation of the Oromo Liberation Front – Commemorate Our Martyrs, Celebrate Our Achievements, Set Our Future Directions (18.06.2023)

Ethiopia: Tigrai Universities Scholars Association (TUSA) – A call for the withdrawal of Non-ENDF Forces and the return of refugees and IDPs to their homes (19.06.2023)

Eritrea: UN Experts Report shines a light on the grim realities of the PFDJ regime…

April 2023 marked 30 years since President Isaias Afwerki came into power in Eritrea. President Afwerki has since refused to implement the Constitution of 1997; he governs the country without the rule of law, a division of powers and any checks, balances or constraints on his power” (GE.23-08162, 2023).

In 2023, we shouldn’t be shocked or surprised that the United Nations Special Rapporteur or UN Expert comes with a harsh or critical report of the Human Rights Violations made by the Eritrean government. However, that has happened again and it will continue as long as the current regime is in power.

Isaias Afewerki isn’t a man who trust people or believes in freedom of expression. My myself, if I was writing or even being a citizens of Eritrea. I know I would have vanished, disappeared or been possibly killed. Most likely being detained without due process and left to rot in a prison or a working camp for a high ranking official of the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ).

The Report published yesterday wasn’t refreshing or unique in any fashion. We who has read these before and followed up on these over the years. Know the game and how it goes. We know the Eritrean government isn’t complying or allowing outside investigations. Neither are they allowing or respecting the report itself. While they are bombastically blasting it to pieces and hoping someone believes their pleas of reason. Alas, here is the case… it would be easier to believe Eritrea, if they opened up and actually showed the reality. Though the ones doing work in the dark, prefers to stay in the dark and not let anyone shine a light on the matter. The same can be said about Eritrean authorities and their actions in general.

One of the few interesting anecdotes from the rapport will come now: “The Special Rapporteur has not received any information regarding criminal investigations or judicial processes initiated against members of the Eritrean Defence Forces or Eritrean authorities for their alleged roles in the commission of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations in Ethiopia. He urges the Ethiopian and Eritrean authorities to take all steps necessary to address impunity for human rights violations committed by the Eritrean Defence Forces and to ensure victims’ access to justice, reparations and non-repetition guarantees” (GE.23-08162, 2023).

It was anticipated that they would be left of the hook and have on accountability. The soldiers of Eritrea followed orders and command. Therefore, the Eritrean government cannot investigate them or apprehend them. If doing so, then the leadership and the ones ordering it has to answer too, which is ensnaring the high ranking officials of Asmara. If there was to ever be recognition or any serious investigation into the matter. That would be done by a third party and not connected to the war at all. However, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. That’s why the EDF like the rest of the Tripartite Alliance are walking and can do so without any worries whatsoever.

Another interesting anecdote: “Thousands of persons continued to be arbitrarily detained in the framework of the Government’s policy of a permanent crackdown on dissent. Eritrea continued to target and imprison real or perceived government critics and opponents without any access to due process rights, such as access to a lawyer, judicial review of the legality of the detention and without any legal process. Journalists, political opponents or politically active individuals, artists, people of faith, draft evaders and returned asylum-seekers continued to be arbitrarily detained, in many cases for prolonged periods of time” (GE.23-08162, 2023).

It just shows what sort of tyranny that is in Eritrea. We know they will dismiss it and disregard it all. Nevertheless, that doesn’t make it less true. Secondly, we know they have things to hide and don’t want to show. When they closed all doors and not allowed anyone to enter. Therefore, State of Eritrea is it’s own worse enemy and we can only rely on the ones coming forward in the diaspora or eyewitnesses who is whistleblowers from within.

We could all see this one coming. It was from a mile away. Nothing here was breaking news or earth-shattering. Just more of the same and another report to put into the achieve. As the President and his minions will continue to linger in office. There is no change in site and all the powers are vested in him. That’s why we know Eritrea will stay the same and the human rights violations will persist, regardless of what is written about it. Peace.

Ethiopia: Statement by Abibatou Wane-Fall, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i for Ethiopia on the misuse of aid assistance in Ethiopia (09.06.2023)

Ethiopia: FDRE Government Communication Service – Response to Allegations by HRW (06.06.2023)