
Today’s release of information from the Office of the Prime in Addis Ababa isn’t sincere about the realities on the ground. These sorts of statements make it believe that the war-torn region is getting relief and direct help that matters. It does, but to a such an extent of non-existence. That’s why the Federal Government is trying to jade the waters and make itself sound reasonable.
Even when everyone knows that the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has spoken ill of “wheat-aid” and has thought they had “other missions” with it too. The Prosperity Party and allies are thinking the aid agencies are helping directly the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and their Tigray Defence Force (TDF). That’s what we have heard in the past and been a “valid” reason for the blockade and blocking humanitarian assistance from entering the region.
Here is today’s statement. Then underneath the true reality of the matter.
“Humanitarian Assistance in Northern Ethiopia:
As it pertains to humanitarian assistance in the N. Ethiopia, through the GoE’s declaration of an indefinite humanitarian truce, the supply of humanitarian assistance continues to show progress. As of June 3, 2022 data from NDRMC:
GoE has continued to expedite the supply of food & other humanitarian supplies to reach Tigray region. The misconception that the GoE obstructs humanitarian assistance continues unabated. In fact, the Gov’t has redoubled its efforts to expedite assistance to all in need. The international community is encouraged to intensify its effort to meet the humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, including for the Tigray Region. TPLF appears to prepare for another offence during the coming farming season. Food & non-food items are not reaching the needy. TPLF continues to forcefully conscript people into its forces. Its atrocities will disrupt agricultural activities & further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Tigray region. Any offence by the TPLF would undermine GoE’s effort to avoid another round of conflict” (Office of the Prime Minister, 06.06.2022).
It sounds rosy right? Sounds in some way legit? Well, it isn’t like this and they are blaming TPLF and pointing at them for possibly conscripting soldiers. When the “humanitarian truce” is reported to be a possible break or cease-fire to ensure the ENDF and allies are prepared for another offensive. Which has been the method of the regime in the past. So, maybe the PP and loyalist around Abiy should reconsider their approach. Open all doors and show compassion. However, that is to much to ask from warlords and people with vengeance in their hearts.
Just read here what is really going on!
“At checkpoints in Afar, authorities turned back trucks containing high energy biscuits and teff seeds. Why are these not allowed to enter Tigray? Why are restrictions on humanitarian aid not acted upon? Why are crimes against humanity given impunity?” (Tim Vanden Bempt, 06.06.2022).
OCHA reported this:
“The situation in northern Ethiopia remains calm but unpredictable. Several areas remain hard to reach to humanitarian partners including some areas in Wag Hamra and North Gonder zones in Amhara along the border with Tigray, some areas in Zone 2 in Afar, and the extreme northern parts of Tigray and Western Zone. Hostilities were reported in the northern parts of Tigray. During the reporting week, two convoys of 320 trucks carrying humanitarian essential supplies of food, nutrition, and non-food items arrived Tigray via the Semera-Abala-Mekelle road. In total, since the resumption of convoy movement on 1 April and following an interruption of more than three months, 1,176 trucks (45,152 MT) including 15 fuel tankers (644,483 liters) arrived in Mekelle through thirteen humanitarian convoys. In parallel, approximately 15.5 MT of supplies have been airlifted to Mekelle during the reporting period that included health supplies (9 MT), emergency shelter and non-food items (ES/NFIs) (6.5 MT). Since 15 December 2021, partners have airlifted 750.6 MT to Tigray, equivalent to 18 trucks. This included nutrition supplies (409.3MT) health supplies (211.1 MT) 106.4 MT ES/NFIs, and 23.8 MT of Agriculture and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) items. Although humanitarian partners were able to bring some fuel for humanitarian operations to Tigray in the last two months, the amount brought is still insufficient and the fuel reserve is at low levels, severely hindering humanitarian operations. Nutrition partners, for instance, need about 24,000 liters of fuel to dispatch available nutrition supplies, including lifesaving therapeutic milk and ready to use therapeutic and supplementary foods, to about 240 health facilities across the region. Ayder hospital in Mekelle, the biggest referral hospital in the region, serving more than 300,000 patients, announced that it has stopped pediatric and intensive care unit services effective 29 May due to lack of fuel to run the generator. Seeds and fertilizers to farmers in Tigray are urgently needed as the Meher planting season (from May to early August) Seeds and fertilizers to farmers in Tigray are urgently needed as the Meher planting season (from May to early July) has already started. Crop production and livestock production in the region accounts for 70 percent and 30 percent (respectively) of the livelihood. Without both improved seeds and fertilizers, farmers will likely experience a considerable drop in production compared to last year, further exacerbating levels of food insecurity” (OCHA, 03.06.2022).
So, when the Prosperity Party and Office of the Prime Minister comes with such a brass statement of humanitarian assistance. The UN Organization of OCHA who has been following and gathering reports through the conflict isn’t mincing its words. They are showing the truth and the true reality. Which is grim. It is dark. A man-made famine, starvation and lack of basic necessities. That has been the goal and the targets are met for the rulers of Addis Ababa.
Abiy and his fellow leaders must be so proud that they are starving and slowly killing Tigray region. If they are not dying now of hunger. They might easily die of lack of food or nutrition after the next harvest season. Which is destroyed, because the lack of fuel and seeds… the lack of time to prepare the fields and ensure the farms of the region. That’s what the tyrant and the “Medemer Terror” has brought upon the Tigray region.
The Government of Ethiopia is only undermining and blocking any sort of meaningful help, which it has done for months upon months now. They are not willing or really wanting to help the Northern Ethiopia. No, they are collectively punishing everyone. Because, the Prime Minister didn’t get his will when he consolidated power. Peace.