Ethiopia: The Parliament approved the State of Emergency – “Nothing good will come out of this!”

It was anticipated and now it’s official, that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Front (EPRDF) are using their powers to quell demonstrations, by any means and now by the sanctions of the Parliament. The TPLF will really answer the protests and done so by approving the State of Emergency, which the military and the TPLF supported. This will really advance the brutality and the killings in Oromia and Amhara. Where the protest has been the loudest. That is where the Aghazi squad and their fellow peers has assaulted people in their homes, killed dozens of people and hospitalized unknown amount of people, since the State of Emergency came into effect.

“Addis Ababa, March 2, 2018 (FBC) – The House of People’s Representatives (HPR) today approved the State of Emergency declared by the Council of Ministers on February 16, 2018. The House approved the decree by vote of 395 in favor to 88 against, with 7 abstentions. The emergency rule was declared to protect the constitution and the constitutional order, ensure freedom of movement and rights of people to generate wealth by maintaining their unity and equality. Incidents in violation of the constitution and the constitutional order as well as that could pose threat to the country have been expanding in some parts of the country since recently, it was stated. People living in various parts asked the government to give them the necessary protection as a result of these violence and conflicts, it was noted. The emergency rule was declared as the threat posed to the country has reached to the level where it could not be prevented and controlled by the regular law enforcement, according to the government” (Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘Ethiopian parliament approves State of Emergency’ 02.03.2018).

As seemingly as Sergey Lavrov and Rex Tillerson passes by Addis Ababa, they are still putting in full effort to silence the people. They are using the parliament to stop the demonstrations and circumvent the constitution for their benefit. This is done to make sure the uprisings in Amhara and Oromia are silenced by any means, as the Command Post orders lately constituted. There isn’t nothing in this, that is positive. It will only lead to more oppression, more death and more harassment of the citizens. The state will ensure to kill civilians, take away their rights and shut down any protest by anybody. Even if they are spreading political information or not. The TPLF is so afraid for losing the control, that they are killing their own people to rule. It is insane, but also the reality.

This State of Emergency is made to ensure the TPLF stays on top, by the guns and for the guns. This is not made for progress or for peace; it is just a quest to stay longer in power. The people are besieged in their towns are under a military occupation. This is fellow citizens and the ones these people are supposed to represent and they are answering with military force against civilians. Who only have demonstrated for fair representation of their group and their people! That is clearly a violation of their rights, concerning these fellow leaders in Addis. Who are now using the SOE to quell and silence them.

When concerning this SOE, there isn’t anything positive, it is just making the people prisoners of the conscious of the TPLF. They are all just taken for granted and losing their rights, because one political party wants to rule them all. The EPRDF, the TPLF controlled entity, is now forcing itself and using the military to stop the others from speaking up. It could end bloody, it already has taken lives and continues to do so. Even as the world leaders pass by, greet and walks away. Nothing is done to spare the innocent and the ones who just want a fair ruler. That is apparently, to much to ask for the Amhara and Omoro, who just have to follow the guidelines of the Tigray. It isn’t beautiful, it is despicable and disgraceful. No honour, nor bravery, just brutal enslavement of the minds, because of one groups who has the idea of total domination.

The Parliament agreed with it, even as many abstained, many didn’t even show up. That shows the discontent is beyond the reach, if it had been favourable, it wouldn’t have had that many people voting against and have that many representatives not showing up. That is just the sense you can have, after all of this.

The SOE will be brutal, will be fatal and will only bring destruction; nothing good comes out of this. Nothing at all and the people who deserves someone to represent them, are seeing their leaders sending soldiers to their homes, to their streets and to their meetings. The SOE will just be another reason for killing, detaining and silencing the people. Nothing, nothing good comes out of it. It only brings more hurt to the civilians, who just wished to have someone that actually represented them and their needs. Peace.

Somalia: Ministry of Ports and Marine Transports declares the Agreement between Somaliland, Ethiopia and DP World Berbera Port as “Null and Void” (02.03.2018)

South Sudan: The Launch of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) – (01.03.2018)

DP World: Ethiopia Acquires 19% Stake in DP World Berbera Port (01.03.2018)

Eritrea Ministry of Information Press Statement on Ethiopia: “Repetitive lies cannot bury the truth” (28.02.2018)

Ethiopia: New State of Emergency orders are to quell demonstrations by all means in Oromia!

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF), the coalition government are preparing all kind of actions against the protest that is spreading in Oromia, as there been demonstrations and sit-home protests in Amhara. There it hasn’t been violent, because people been home. However, in Oromia, where the Qeerroo has reacted to the rearrest of their leaders of Oromo Federalist Congress, the continued protest has been answered with violent aghazi squad or the soldiers attacking them.

First I will drop the orders given by the State Owned Media House Fana Broadcasting Company, which in moderate language, are giving all ways to systematic destruction of the Qeerroo in Oromia. Than, the comments, which is important by the Oromo leader, the Presidetn Jawar Mohammed, before the last message on the matter and the evidence of how violent the State of Emergency is in Nekemte, this being reporting given by ESAT. Which all shows the dire problems within Ethiopia, as the EPRDF and the controlling party within the coalition Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) are using all means, saying they need to use all means. To stop the demonstrations, that as they have sent soldiers to the region, as a occupying force. Taking control of their own population and silence their feet walking in the streets. The walking and running in the streets, combined with hand-gestures are clearly to powerful for the TPLF. That is why they are making it illegal and stopping them by “all necessary measures”. Legalizing violence against own citizens, is what the EPRDF/TPLF.

If that isn’t striking as bad, as a worrying sign and as oppression at the highest grade, then nothing cannot be taken away from the regions that is under-fire by the Woyane regime.

If these forces do not refrain from their destructive actions immediately, based on the decree and the directives, security forces were ordered by the Command Post to take all the necessary measures against them, it said. Moreover, members of the parliament (MPs) residing in Oromia have been submitting complaints to the Command Post repeatedly stating that these forces have been threatening them and their families by using social media, cell phone and in person. Since this is an anti-democratic and destructive move, the Command Post would not tolerate it, the statement said, adding it would take legal measures against forces who were engaged in this kind of action. The Command Post extended its gratitude to the people in various parts of the country for rallying along security forces and giving their life to protect loss of life and damages to properties. The Command Post finally called on the public to strengthen their all-round supports for the success of the ongoing efforts of the government and security forces to fully restore peace in the country” (FANABC – ‘Command Post orders security forces to take necessary measures against spoilers of peace’ 27.02.2018).

NOTICE: With the ongoing killings in Western Oromia and today’s open order to the military to shot and kill our people, the country is sliding to dangerous territory. Qeerroo are preparing while awaiting for the parliament to make a decision on either passing or rejecting the state of emergency. We are hearing the regime is threatening MP’s to pass the SOE when it meets on Friday. If in fact the parliament passes this unnecessary and unconstitutional decree, it will be met and reversed with fierce resistance. Therefore, we strongly advice all to postpone their travels to and within Ethiopia from Friday onward until things clear up” (Jawar Mohammed, 27.02.2018).

One person was killed and 20 others wounded when snipers of the TPLF/Agazi forces indiscriminately shot at protesters in the city of Nekemte, Western Ethiopia. Abebe Mekonnen was shot by sniper fire this morning at the central square of Nekemte a city that has seen renewed protest demonstration against the TPLF regime since last Saturday after leaders of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) were banned from entering to address their supporters. The killing in Nekemte came on the day the regime issued a stern warning through state-controlled media outlets to what it called “anti-peace elements” and ordered security forces to “take all measures necessary” against protesters who defy the state of emergency declared a week ago. The six-month martial law, the second in two years, was declared amid persistent pressure from the public for the release of political prisoners and a call for an end to 27 years of misrule by the TPLF, an oligarchy that solely controls political power and grips economic upperhand” (ESAT, 27.02.2018).

No one should be allowed to order this, to put this in writing and give orders to soldiers, against own citizens and use this force, just because they are tired of the regime who are oppressing them. Therefore, because they are tired of being oppressed, they are getting even more harsher laws to oppress them. Less rights and more directions on how to live and speak less. Spread no information, no rallies, no public gatherings and no communications, which can be seen as a danger to the government. If this isn’t taking away the voices of the people, than nothing is. This is just invading the Oromia and the Amhara, that is both regions used too. The worst is happening right now in Oromia, no doubt. But they use what can against Amhara when they can. Not like they have come there in peace within the last 24 months.

Both of these groups of people, have gotten the ill-treatment from the Woyane, the TPLF and the EPRDF. They have not given any sort of consideration. Seemingly, it seemed to be loosing up when the started to free the political prisoners, but now after the PM resigned. They have turned 360 and back to old games of destruction in the regions where people dare to protest.

I was fearing the worst and already more people are dying because the TPLF/EPRDF want to rule not by consensus, but by total control by any means possible and with any excuse what so ever. Nothing can be untouched by these gentlemen, these leaders who run things from Addis Ababa. They are now occupying regions with soldiers like they are taking foreign soil. They are going into Oromia and Amhara, like they are preparing for war. Instead of reconciliation, the state uses violence to dismiss their own. If that isn’t self-destruction, what is? Peace.

Nearly two-thirds of the population in South Sudan at risk of rising hunger (26.02.2018)

Sustained assistance and access critical to prevent hunger reaching its highest level ever.

JUBA, South Sudan, February 26, 2018 -More than 7 million people in South Sudan – almost two-thirds of the population – could become severely food insecure in the coming months without sustained humanitarian assistance and access, three United Nations agencies warned today.

If this happens, this will be the highest ever number of food insecure people in South Sudan. The period of greatest risk will be the lean season, between May and July. Particularly at risk are 155,000 people, including 29,000 children, who could suffer from the most extreme levels of hunger.

In January, 5.3 million people, or nearly half of the population, were already struggling to find enough food each day and were in “crisis” or “emergency” levels of food insecurity (IPC Phases 3 and 4), according to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report released today.

This represents a 40 percent increase in the number of severely food insecure people compared to January 2017.

The report comes one year after famine was declared in parts of South Sudan in February 2017.

Improved access and a massive humanitarian response succeeded in containing and averting famine later last year. Despite this, the food insecurity outlook has never been so dire as it is now.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warn that progress made to prevent people from dying of hunger could be undone, and more people than ever could be pushed into severe hunger and famine-like conditions during May-July unless assistance and access are maintained.

“The situation is extremely fragile, and we are close to seeing another famine. The projections are stark. If we ignore them, we’ll be faced with a growing tragedy. If farmers receive support to resume their livelihoods, we will see a rapid improvement in the country’s food security situation due to increased local production,” said Serge Tissot, FAO Representative in South Sudan.

A growing tragedy that must not be ignored

Overall hunger levels have risen due to protracted conflict that led to reduced food production and constantly disrupted livelihoods. This was further exacerbated by economic collapse, which impacted markets and trade, making them unable to compensate for the decrease in local food production.

Prolonged dry spells, flooding and continued pest infestation, such as Fall Armyworm, have also had a damaging impact.

“The situation is deteriorating with each year of conflict as more people lose the little they had. We are alarmed as the lean season when the harvest runs out is expected to start this year much earlier than usual,” said Adnan Khan, WFP Representative and Country Director. “Unless we can pre-position assistance rather than mount a more costly response during the rains, more families will struggle to survive.”

In areas like Unity, Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Central Equatoria, riddled by reoccurring outbreaks of violent conflict and displacement, the proportion of people suffering from extreme food insecurity ranges from 52 to 62 percent – more than half the states’ combined population. The number is expected to keep increasing unless people find the means to receive, produce or buy their own food.

Mapping hunger – projections for the first half of 2018

  • February-April 2018:  6.3 million people in IPC Phases 3 (“Crisis”), 4 (“Emergency”) and 5 (Catastrophe). This includes 50,000 people in IPC Phase 5.
  • May-July 2018: 7.1 million people in IPC Phases 3, 4 and 5. This includes 155,000 people in IPC Phase 5.

1.3 million children under five at risk of acute malnutrition

Conflict and worsening hunger have led to already soaring rates of malnutrition. Without assistance, as of May, more than 1.3 million children under five will be at risk of acute malnutrition.

Malnutrition rates are set to rise once the rainy season starts in April. Once this happens, many communities will become isolated and unable to reach medical services. The rains will make the country’s dirt roads unusable, and it will become more and more difficult to deliver supplies to medical centres.

“We are preparing for rates of severe malnutrition among children never before seen in this country,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan. “Without an urgent response and access to those most in need, many children will die. We cannot allow that to happen.”

Of particular concern are the areas around Leer, Mayendit, Longochuk and Renk where children under five face extremely critical levels of malnutrition.

Response to date

Last year, FAO, WFP, UNICEF and their partners rolled out their largest ever aid campaign, saving lives and containing famine. In 2017, agency partners conducted more than 135 rapid humanitarian missions to the most hard-to-reach areas, providing life-saving assistance to over 1.8 million people.

FAO provided 5 million people – many in difficult-to-reach or conflict-affected areas – with seeds and tools for planting, and fishing kits in 2017. FAO has also vaccinated more than 6.1 million livestock to keep animals alive and healthy. This has been vital as most of the population rely on livestock for their survival.

UNICEF and partners admitted some 208,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in 2017 and plan to reach 215,000 this year. Together with WFP, UNICEF took part in 51 rapid response missions in 2017 to reach communities cut off from regular aid assistance. The Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) will remain a key means of accessing conflict-affected communities in the coming months.

At the peak of its response this year, WFP aims to reach 4.4 million people with life-saving food and nutrition assistance. WFP is pre-positioning food in areas likely to be cut off during the rainy season, so people will not go hungry. WFP plans to pre-position 140,000 metric tons of food and nutrition supplies – 20 percent more than in 2017 – in more than 50 locations across the country.

South Sudan: 19 Senior Officers of the SPLM/A-IO deflects to National Salvation Front (NAS) – (26.02.2018)

Ethiopia: The battle for the Prime Minister position hardens [Not that it matters because of the TPLF]

There are lots of speculations, there has been since the resignation of the Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and also as the chairman of the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM). This happen on the 15th February, as the State of Emergency was announced on the 17th February 2018. Since then, there has been natural speculation inside the government coalition of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defense Force (EPRDF) and who will succeed Hailemariam Desalegn and be the second PM after Meles Zenawi.

Now, the power struggle between the parties start, as the Council of Ministers will pick their candidate and their new chief. Not that in the recent days, there been any changes of significance and proving the need for one. However, the coalition and the state structure needs a PM. That is why the coalition parties has met and discussed, there been meetings with discussions and therefore, also settle matters.

The first one up, is the one that declared the State of Emergency, being the Ministry of Defense Siraj Fegessa of the SEPDM. The other from the same party might be Shiefraw Shigute. From the Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO) are newly elected Chairman Dr. Abiy Ahmed, also newly elected chairman Demeke Mekonnen from the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM). Mere speculations if the Tigray People’s Liberation Movement will have their own candidate and newly elected chairman Debretsion Gebremichael, who is the minister for Communication and Information Technology, but the TPLF haven’t verified if he is contending.

All of these are candidates to the role of the PM, but as the State of Emergency are happening, the violence and killings, the detaining of opposition to the government should be the focus. As the state oppressive behavior is out of control again. We can just await closure of internet and telecommunication in Amhara and Oromo. Like they have done in the past. However, the state is waiting for the extraordinary meeting with the Council of Ministers. Where the leadership and Executive Committee will decided over voting and arguments who becomes the next leader.

This meeting has been postponed a few times and the times has changed. It has been in a slow progression, as the days are running. The uncertainty and speculations becomes more rampant as the parties has certified their candidates. That has been done by the SEPDM, OPDO, ANDM, but nothing official from the TPLF. TPLF who has been the controlling and strongman in the government. Therefore, their words are kind of final in the respects of the EPRDF.

But don’t expect anyone of these to really change anything, as the TPLF control the regime and their actions against the protesters and the demonstrations in Amhara and Omoro. Anyone who goes against the core in Ethiopia, will meet the force of EPRDF and the TPLF. The Executive Committee and Council of Ministers, who in the end will handpick the successor.

I don’t expect the EPRDF to do any good, they haven’t done it recently or in the past. They could have started a reconciliation, as they were starting to release political-prisoners, but now they are rearresting and sending soldiers to towns where there are protests. People are dying because they want their leaders and want their freedom, their liberty and a just society. That is to much to beg for under the TPLF, the Woyane and the EPRDF government. To have a government which represent the public and the regions, are not there now. It will not be so, even if the EPRDF picks the leader of OPDO, since they are putting Oromo Federalist Congress leaders like Merera Gudina and Bekele Gerba behind bars again. It’s like putting salt in the wounds and not trying to heal the wounds at all.

This ignorant acts has to stop. The EPRDF and TPLF, has to understand they cannot arrest all of Amhara or Oromo, they cannot shoot at everyone, they cannot destroy and use fear against every single citizen during the State of Emergency. Even if the state tries, even if the Woyane uses power to silence the regions. That cannot continue and the international community shouldn’t only condemn, but also act upon it. If they care about the innocent who dies, because of one groups wish to rule them all.

The Prime Minister will only be used as pawn at this point. The expectation of sudden changes and rapid development by the EPRDF are far-fetched. TPLF wants it all and will only use the PM as a figure-head. The one who takes the position should know this, they will not give away the power they have now. Peace.

Ethiopia: Today’s Nekemet protest proves how the oppression of the SoE works!

Today the government coalition Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has been busy defending the State of Emergency, even as they have started to to detain many of the Oromo leaders who was released recently. That happen over the weekend and because of that, the Oromo protest resurfaced today. Even as the live bullets hit against the citizens protesting.

Nekemet has been met with violent police and aghazi squad who has shot against the protest. Who has reacted to the leaders of Oromo Federalist Congress, this being Merera Gudina and Bekele Gerba, who first was banned from meeting their supporters and then rearrested, as the State of Emergency has stopped this sort of activity. That is why the stand-off and the escalation of protest are growing. Again, the state has arrested the leaders and the ones who represent them.

That it is planned to possible have a Oromo Prime Minister from the Oromo People’s Democratic Organization, who is a part of the EPRDF, it might feel like an insult to pick on of them in the Council of Minsters on Thursday, as the state continue to harass the Oromo and the Amhara people. Instead, of listening to their grievances. That is why the position of PM doesn’t seem important, as even the possible Dr. Abiy Ahmed, most likely just be a decoy for the continued oppression of the people by the minority Woyane.

It is a bad sad to read the defense statement by the EPRDF, with the knowledge of the shooting and violence in Nekemet. Where just two leaders wanted to have rally with their supporters. The EPRDF is so afraid of the opposition and the uprising, that they are oppressing them instead of listening.

Seemingly, the EPRDF is so afraid that they had to write this:

The key to the urgency of the state of emergency in our country as well as from other countries is to return the country to its peaceful activities and to ensure that its citizens are safe. At the same time, it is important to further strengthen the security of the nation and to protect civilians from the violence and fear of the people and the groups who have been left behind for fear and terror” (…) “In this regard, the largest shareholder in this regard is to ensure that the entire society is not replaced by the security forces, so as to maintain unity and peace, as well as to maintain peace in the future” (EPRDF – ‘Unity for Peace, Peace and Solidarity!’ 26.02.2018).

It is striking that the EPRDF is writing about the State of Emergency in this fashion, when they are the one behind the tyranny in the regions, when they are the ones ordering the soldiers and the police to attack their own. When the state is the one sanctioning the violence and illegal detaining of citizens. Then they are making their citizens terrorists, because they are illegally holding on to power. Its a massive breach of understanding their role as government and as representatives of the people. If they would cared for the citizens, the actions today in Nekemet, wouldn’t have happen. Seriously, they would not had a stand-off and detained the leaders during the weekend. However, that is what the state has sanctioned and proving to the world their real vision of the State of Emergency.

That the actions today at Nekemet, should be a sign of how the state has failed their responsibility, that they lost it and forgotten the purpose when they rearrested the OFC leaders this weekend. They are now pawns of Woyane, who doesn’t care about their burning soil and not trying to bring it back to life. They are concerned with keeping power, than actually serving the people. That is the slippery slope to oblivion. It is just a matter of time, before that reality catches up with TPLF and EPRDF. Peace.