Ethiopia: Afar People’s Party (APP) – Current press release from Afar People’s Party Executive Committee (31.05.2022)

The executive committee of the Afar People’s Party held on 14-17 May 2014 at the Semera city headquarter discussed many regional and national issues and made important decisions and future directions. It will be presented as follows.

1/ Regarding peace and stability:- our country is forced to pay the price of wealth and life because of TPLF’s thirst for power and the claim that they will destroy the country unless I lead, all the people of Afar have been forced to pay the wrong price of wealth and lives; they have been displaced from their hot life and migrated to migration and begging, which is very shameful in our culture; our women have been raped; parents have been separated from their children. He has seen so many. Innocent people are physically harmed, the rest are mentally ill.

In addition to this war, there is a war that has been started on our people from all directions and people are being killed every day on their own land. Therefore, the government whose first job is protecting the lives of the citizens is not only protecting the safety of our people, but also on activities that increase the vulnerability of our people.

Even though the people of Afar are people who work with priority for peace, they have shown their identity to the world by governmental and non-governmental invaders who come to challenge their sovereignty in their own land and to paint the history of heroism in black. They have shown their true identity to the world without expecting anything from anyone. However, the Afar people’s party is in vain every day. Withholding the dying citizens. We strongly urge him to give and fulfill his constitutional duty.

2/ low cost of living, corruption and lack of good governance:- We have found that the Afar People’s Party has been out of control due to high corruption, lack of good governance and excessive corruption as well as illegal hoarding of resources and embezzlement of the people to foreign countries are out of control. Since the works done in the region are not done properly and legally bidding system, the winners of the auction Sachhew The lack of quality of projects and lack of timely completion has held back the development of the region since they are office heads or families and the right professionals and the intermediaries.

Since our region’s geothermal nature is desert especially in this month of May the temperature will reach 40 to 50 degree Celsius, high water consumption is required. However, in the capital city of the region, Semera, the authorities have bought a boat and sold 20 liters of water for 35 birr and closed the main water line to the people for high water. Thirst has been put out.

We should not tolerate this unforgivable human rights violation and it should be fixed quickly. Not only the transportation is expensive, there is a huge shortage of transport in the region. It is enough to look at the Semera and Logia taxi lines at 7 o’clock in the afternoon. In order to ensure that the public resources that are exploited by individuals to be properly utilized and the government has rented buses for the people. Ransport We would love to make sure you provide service.

The Afar People’s Party is condemning these people who left the people and don’t think they will return to the people tomorrow. We urge the regional administration to take immediate measures against them.

All this suffering seems to be less, but in our region every 100 meters, smart bosses and government-supported government officials are robbing the people! There is a high and man-made cost of living in the region. For some and known parties to make profit, by confiscating exploited commodities, torturing low capacity merchants and making the situation comfortable for government contrabandists, by removing the legal merchants from the market and showing the farmers the hard work has become a common practice. The regional government needs an urgent correction. For him to take measures and the lives of the war-torn people. We’re going to encourage him to calm down.

3/ Human rights violations and exposure activities:- In our region, there have been huge violations of human rights related to the war; women have been raped by herds; children have been separated from their parents; severe physical injuries have been inflicted on our people; those who have been injured and thrown into every health center; those who have died and left their families in trouble; the infrastructure that are needed to live should be counted. Lala is destroyed, our people from their homes. Displaced and exposed to immigration.

There is a crisis of food, water and medicine in the refugee camps. Because the humanitarian support from the local and international community is not for the purpose of the development of individuals, our people are facing a serious situation of hunger and health problems.

It has been understood that the farmers displaced from Northern Afar who were displaced by this war are in a big problem in the concentration camps especially in Guyeh and Afdera by speaking to the displaced people. There is a huge shortage of drinking water in this area and thousands of families get only one bottle per day which is from the existing community. The displaced people said it could be the reason for another conflict in Garh.

We urge the government to solve these people’s problems as soon as possible and save the lives of the citizens.

Recently, there are rumors that they will return displaced people to their homes. While it is good that the displaced people are back, the Afar People’s Party would like to express its concern that you have left them in an empty village where their wealth is destroyed and claiming that they have returned to your country and claiming that it will not be an act of escaping from responsibility by the government.

Therefore, until the peace issue settles down, and the people recover from the spirit of war, we will suggest that the government should calmly take care of the people in the peaceful places they are. We believe that there is enough stock. A lot of young people who tried to express their views are in prison in this time where the infrastructure is not met is the ultimate humanity. Just in case a wee right offender. The party urges citizens to get justice and release them immediately.

The Afar People’s Party has made a lot of efforts to inform the world community about this human rights violation and in this process it has tried to explain the truth by creating contact with local and foreign institutions through letters.

The top leaders of the party have given explanations to the European Union Human Rights Commission, the European Union East African Special Envoy for UK East Africa and Red Sea Special Envoy for the African Union, the African Union Human Rights Commission and a lot of the world community about the violations of our people. Rights organizations on the issue of Afar The party has expressed its complaint that they have shown generosity.

4/ Regarding the national discussion:- The people of Afar believe that the source of our country’s current and lasting problems are not talking, not discussing, controlling all those who came to power alone and seeing others as destroyers of the country, not spreading a common vision and not willing to work together in a civilized way are the main reasons. This is the cycle we are in today. The one that put us in Therefore, once and for all, we believe that a fair, honest, honest, transparent and all inclusive national counsel should be resolved.

However, since the commission that was established now doesn’t meet the minimum requirements stated above, bringing together the governmental and non-governmental forces that are armed and causing our people suffer, we don’t think it will bring a lasting peace, but it will bring a solution. It is not only a waste of time and energy. If they didn’t believe too much was wasted in this process and considering the necessity of the issue. The one that will never be late Since it is an agenda, we have repeatedly asked you to solve the problems and save our country. Therefore, we would like to inform you that we will not be able to participate in the process until these prerequisites are fulfilled.

Afar people party Semera, Afar

May 31 2022

Djibouti: Issa-Somali militia attacks Afar people in retaliation for a failed insurgency in Afar region, Ethiopia

05/30/2022: The Djiboutian League for Human Rights (LDDH) lists 18 Afar civilians who were seriously injured during the persecutions that took place on Saturday 05/28/2022 by Issa criminals (Somali ) supported by a tribal police” (Qafar Media, 30.05.2022).

The tragic news of violence, injuries and even deaths in concern to the Afar people within Djibouti is far from new. That has been occurring on a semi-regular basis and been directly supported by the dictatorial government of Djibouti. They have been supporting, training and allowing the rise of the Issa-Somali militia, which has also done operations and missions within Ethiopia in the Afar region. Which has happened of late and caused much damage, though been far from successful or able to take control of the territory.

That’s why the escalation and return of retaliation against them at home. Only shows how vindictive and how vicious the leaders of the Issa-Somali militia is at this point. Heard conflicting reports yesterday, but today it’s verified. That’s why I am posting this with the explanation of it from credible sources.

Here is the best way of telling the gist of it:

In recent weeks, the territorial conflict between Afar and Issas has resumed and is gaining in intensity. Supplied with weapons and logistics by the Djibouti regime, the Somali-Issas have intensified their attacks and incursions into Afar grazing areas in the heart of Afar Regional State” (…) “These conflicts across Djibouti’s borders have been imported into the working-class neighborhoods of the Djiboutian capital, with the blessing of the Djibouti regime, which ensures longevity as long as the national community is and remains fractured. The Djibouti regime encourages a fringe of the Somali-Issa community to wage a blind vendetta against the Afar in Djibouti at every disappointment on the battlefield in Ethiopia” (Les Nouvelles de Djibouti – ‘Afars attacked by Djibouti regime’ 30.05.2022).

In addition to this, the Issa-Somali militia has raided, destroyed and plundered shops owned by Afar people in Djibouti City over the weekend. This in combination with the injuries on the 18 people. In the past they have gone so far to cause fires and burned parts of the city filled with Afar people. Therefore, what we are seeing is coordinated violence in the name of the Issa-Somali militia against the Afar. That shouldn’t shock anyone… but should worry anyone who follows it. As the Issa-Somali militia isn’t acting isolated, but with direct help of the authorities and high-ranking officials.

So, when we read about these things. Now that the leadership of Djibouti is sanctioning it and the Afar people are victims of their ethnicity and nothing else. This shows what sort of rogue state Djibouti is and the only reasons there is no outcry is because of it’s strategic importance to them. The military bases and ports are giving it leeway. That’s why it get away, since these incidents matters less than the importance of the stationed battalions there. Peace.

Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – Letter of Complaint on Breach of Research Ethics by Prof. Ann Fitz-Gerald (30.05.2022)

East Africa: Joint Communique – The threat of starvation looms in East Africa after four failed rainy seasons (30.05.2022)

Opinion: The man who has blocked humanitarian assistance for months, begs the international community to strengthen their support…

During the 15th Extraordinary AU Humanitarian Summit, I reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to ensuring assistance reaches those afflicted by natural & man made disasters. It is imperative that partners scale up their support for humanitarian services across the continent” (Abiy Ahmed Ali, 28.05.2022).

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali is bold and really a living hypocrisy. Yes, at the recent weeks there has finally been allowed some trucks or convoys into the Northern Regions of the Republic. As the Ethiopian government have blocked, put bureaucratic hurdles and ensured that nothing has entered the war-torn region. Alas, of late and after the truce there has come a little in. While it is far from what is needed and a man-made famine has been created. That is what the PM is responsible for and his government have vilified “wheat-aid” and whatever humanitarian assistance in the past.

So, that the PM says this at the African Union Humanitarian Summit in Malabo says something. Like we are supposed to forge the millions who are struggling and starving. Because, the PM wanted to prove a point against the regional government in Mekelle. That is the gist of it all.

It is really something that he says this now. After all the heartache, pain and suffering he has inflicted on a region, which is a war that is ordered in his name.

His reported to have said this:

““Therefore, a lot of work is being done with partners to reduce the risk of natural disasters.”

Abiy further noted that strong drought prevention measures are crucial as previous droughts in the region have shown its worst impact. “Ethiopia will strengthen its efforts to withstand the challenges of climate change by planting billions of seedlings a year under the green legacy program. Accordingly, despite the global economic crisis the country continues to provide unreserved humanitarian assistance to millions of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), he emphasized” (The Ethiopian Herald – ‘ Premier calls for more humanitarian support to Africa’ 28.06.2022).

His acting like his a saviour and has the answers, which is striking when his government is burning the republic from the inside. The government his running and operating is causing the suffering. The PM and his henchmen is in-charge of the insecurity, food-insecurity and the newly internally displaced people. It’s his wars, “Law Enforcement” Operations and “Rule of Law” campaigns that causes this. Where civilians are arrested, detained, kept incommunicado and tortured. Dissidents are targets and arrested too. That’s what is happening in the Republic and on orders of the PM.

Yes, his planting green trees and trying to forge a “green legacy” but what he will be remembered for is his “Medemer Terror”. The violence, the brutal wars and conflicts done in his name. The assassinations, mass-murders, massacres and others happening on his watch. The bloodshed has been done in his name and he is behind a silent killer called starvation or man-made famine. That’s all his work. The score card is sinister and evil. So, it is really striking that a man who rules like this.

Speaks like that at an international setting. Trying to forge a positive narrative. Like we don’t know what is happening in Ethiopia. We haven’t seen the atrocities of the state in Ogaden, Oromia, Amhara, Afar or Tigray regions for that matter. We know and the injustice will linger on for long. The reign of Abiy will damage a generation and he will be at fault.

This is the sins of Abiy and he has to carry them. Peace.

Ethiopia: 3 more journalists arrested [Sabontu Ahmed, Bekalu Alamrew & Meaza Mohammed]

It is now reported that three journalists has been arrested, detained and it’s a total crackdown on free speech in the Republic. The amounts of journalists arrested of late is 22 in 2022 alone. That just shows what the Prosperity Party and the Federal Government does to shield it’s message. As they are not accepting any dissent or any sort of critic of any sorts. This is why the Prime Minister and the authorities are targeting media houses and journalists at large.

The latest three known arrests are these and this is the timeline of their arrests. While the two first was announced yesterday. The latest has happened only this morning. Therefore, the system at large is going after journalists who isn’t performing after the government narratives, but is addressing the issues as they see fit. That’s why they are targeted and arrested. Because, we are not seeing any arrests in the government friendly press, but in the rest of them.

Here is the timeline:

On the 26th May they arrested Sabontu Ahmed of Finfinnee Integrated Broadcasting, and 27th May they arrested Bekalu Alamrew of Ethio Forum. Roha Media editor Meaza Mohammed was detained by Addis Ababa police this morning on the 28th May 2022.

So, when you see this. You just know that all press are under fire. The state is going after anyone who is willing and who isn’t following the party line of the Prosperity Party. If you stand in their way or dares to question their behaviour. Than you can easily get arrested and detained by the authorities. This will be done without any forewarning and without direct charges. We don’t know what the journalists are arrested over. However, it is most likely in connection with the new “rule of law” campaign in Amhara region. As they have started with the injustice and impunity there, as the Federal Government have done in other regions in the recent years. Peace.

Ethiopia: Shabait tries to revise the history on how the Tigray Conflict started…

Sometimes it must be really boring to work for dictators and warlords, as one part of your job and detail is to make fiction into history lessons. That’s what is happening in the case of today’s published article or pieces of information from the Ministry of Information or the Shabait. That Eritrea wishes to this isn’t shocking or surprising. They just want to whitewash and ensure people believes their story. Alas, that doesn’t make it true or believable. As there are records out there proving another case. Which I published and the Addis Standard published in January of 2021. So a year and about half later. The Shabait hopes people are forgetful and can sprinkle some distorted lies over the matter.

No one should be shocked by this. That’s why it’s has to be proven and showed how it’s wrong. Yes, the tripartite alliance of Asmara, Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar wants to blame the leadership of Mekelle. That’s necessary as they need to perceived as vicious and calculated, in such a manner that the “Operation Law Enforcement” was needed to bring down the leadership of the TPLF. Therefore, texts like Shabait is to imprint that story. However, the more you repeat it doesn’t make true either.

Here is what was important in the Shabait story published today:

o The origins of the war, the TPLF’s sole culpability, as well as, the grave danger to regional peace and security that it posed were never ambiguous by any stretch of imagination.

o The fact is the TPLF launched pre-meditated, massive and coordinated attacks on all the positions of Ethiopia’s Northern Command on the night of November 3, 2020. TPLF wrongly believed that it could neutralize the Northern Command, and seize all its heavy weaponry which constituted 80% of Ethiopia’s total arsenal in its ‘blitzkrieg’.

o In launching its war of choice, the TPLF’s twin objectives were to seize power in Ethiopia and to pursue its hostile agenda “of territorial expansion” against Eritrea” (Shabait, 27.05.2022).

First off, the portrayal of the conflict triggered by the TPLF’s War of Insurrection was, and continues to be, distorted by crafting a new, fallacious narrative. To this day, the war continues to be described in neutral terms, and at times as if it was launched by the Ethiopian Federal Government, in virtually all main stream media outlets and in executive/legislative branches of most western governments. Indeed, the unanimity and “tunnel-vision” of western media outlets belie an over-arching US strategy that has evidently used all its networks and alliances to impose the “Revisionist Narrative”” (Shabait, 27.05.2022).

When you read this you start to wonder… could this be true? Is this the real story? Have I heard something else? Yes, you have and the stories of the ones involved ahead of the invasion of Tigray and the “Operation Law Enforcement” was well prepared. That was very clear and the planned forces was across the border to sooner or later invade.

That story I have told before… here is what I wrote back then and the sources I had, which is credible ones. Just read this part.

The Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy and the whole Federal Government have blamed the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for attacking and initiating the war. Alas, moving troops to the borders and deploying soldiers across the borders of Tigray. Shows, that the preparations happened way before time. Like some has speculated that the Prime Minister Abiy and President Afwerki had this planned already on the 12th October 2020.

This meeting has said to have done this: “President Isaias visited Ethiopia, during which he visited a number of projects, including a hydro-electric dam and coffee plantations. He also went to the Bishoftu air-base – home to the Ethiopian air force. Both leaders took time to see each other’s key military assets ahead of the current conflict.” (Martin Plaut – ‘Timeline: How the President Isaias – Prime Minister Abiy relationship developed’ 09.11.2020).

With the knowledge of that. The revelation of Adamu says a lot today.

Commissioner Abere Adamu said:

Because it is history let me tell you what happened during this time. At the time, Amhara region police and Temesgen [Tiruneh] who was the president of the Amhara Region, already knew that this thing was going to happen, especially TPLF’s preparation, as they were next door to us. Therefore we have already done our homework, and accordingly deployment of forces had taken place in our borders from east to west. The war started that night after we have already completed our preparations” (Addis Standard, 04.01.2021)” (Minbane – ‘Ethiopia: Tigray – The Army all prepared before the attack on the Northern Command’ 05.01.2021).

If you want more of this and a deeper insight to the statements. You can check the references directly. Some might be repetitive, but it will be deeper and more quotes from the likes of Abere Adamu who really told the story of it.

That the Shabait tries to rewrite the story shouldn’t be acceptable. However, everyone should have an ear to the ground and open eyes. As the ones who have waged this war and participated in the genocide. Wants the victims to be the problem and the reason for their own deaths. They don’t want to take responsibility of their part of the war and the start of it.

We should expect to see more of this. Don’t be shocked, but prove their wrong and rebuttal. Because, they trying to forge a narrative and make the victims of this conflict the villains. Which I have stated before, the TPLF has the ills of the past and had in their hay-day responsibility for dictatorship, violence and injustices, which they should answer for. However, this recent war… the tripartite alliance has more to answer for. They are the ENDF-EDF-FANO invasion of Tigray, which is blocked to this day. A war that is still adding pressure and pain, endless suffering and a famine. That is something the Shabait will not take the accountability for… Remember that. Peace.

Reference:

Addis Standard – ‘NEWS ANALYSIS: AMHARA REGION POLICE CHIEF REVEALS HOW REGION’S POLICE FORCE GUIDED FEDERAL STEEL-CLAD MECHANIZED FORCES TO JOIN “WAR” IN TIGRAY’ 04.01.2021 link: https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-amhara-region-police-chief-reveals-how-regions-police-force-guided-federal-steel-clad-mechanized-forces-to-join-war-in-tigray/

Minbane – ‘Ethiopia: Tigray – The Army all prepared before the attack on the Northern Command’ 05.01.2021, link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/https-wp-me-p1xtjg-fz0/

Shabait – ‘TPLF’s War of Insurrection: Fundamentals of the Conflict and Chronology of Events’ 27.05.2022, link: https://shabait.com/2022/05/27/tplfs-war-of-insurrection-fundamentals-of-the-conflict-and-chronology-of-events/

Ethiopia: 2 more journalists arrested today [Temesgen Desalegn & Yayesew Shimeles]

A managing director of Feteh Magazine Journalist Temesgen Desalegn has been abducted by an armed forces of government today in Addis Ababa. He is known for his weekly critiques of the government based on factual informations” (Lisanework Yirsaw, 26.05.2022).

Journalist Yayesew Shimeles was reportedly taken away by security forces around 1PM local time. His lawyer told Addis Standard that he was taken to Sostegna police station in Arada Sub- city” (Addis Standard, 26.05.2022).

The continues crackdown on the press and media houses with no breaks or stop. This is just shows what sort of regime that is in Addis Ababa. The supposed “reformists” and Prosperity “Gospel” Party is selling old tricks and bargains. As they are targeting anyone who questions their reign and their policies. Anyone can be a target and be in custody. That’s the proof of the recent weeks.

The state can turn on anyone and they can become felons as well. That is what is happening here. Not just journalists, but citizens and activists. In Ethiopia right now… if you are openly dissenting against the throne and his court. Expect to be court-side or be brought into custody. You will be detained long without any official charges or court-dates. There will be no trial or mercy on you.

These two are now facing the law and being produced on a much later date in court. Where the charges and the alleged criminal conspiracy is shown. Because, right now, there is a free-for-all of arrest of anyone who questions, critic or dissent from the party-line of the PP. That is the gist of it all and nobody is safe. Peace.

Ethiopia: Ethio-American Development Council (EADC) & Ethio-Canadian Network for Advocacy and Support (ECNAS) – Open Letter to Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of Ethiopia (25.05.2022)

Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – On Africa Day- GSTS Calls All Africans to Say No to Genocide on Tigray (25.05.2022)