Ethiopia: The Government of the National State of Tigray – Statement by the Government of the Government of the National State of Tigray concerning the Eritrean refugees in Tigray (21.07.2021)

Ethiopia: Union of Oromo Communities in Canada (UOCC) – Statement of the UOCC Condemning the Deployment of Oromia Regional Forces against Tigray (19.07.2021)

Ethiopia: The TDF is targeting the main cargo route [A1/RN1] from Djibouti to Addis Ababa

Taken from Google Map – Made the transport route Addis Ababa – Semera – Djibouti

Djibouti’s port handles 95% of inbound and outbound trade from Ethiopia, earning more than $1 billion in port fees per year from Ethiopia alone. This makes Djibouti the dominant port service provider in the HoA and a major player in the Red Sea” (Guled Ahmed – ‘Djibouti needs a Plan B for the post-Guelleh era’ 20.07.2021, Middle East Institute).

There been reported earlier this week that the Tigray Defence Force went into both Amhara region and Afar region. This is happening as the Federal Government have redeployed their forces and using Regional Special Forces (RSF) to continue the conflict in the Tigray Regional State.

What is striking here is that the TDF are doing this to do the same as the state does to the Tigray region. The Federal Government and all its allies have had months upon months with blocking the roads, jamming phone-lines and an electricity black-out. Meaning, the utilities and basic necessities have been blocked, as well as stopping the agricultural sectors ability to sow the fields. The state has deliberately ensured a man-made famine, prolonging the agony and blocked anything from entering the Tigray Region.

That’s why today’s new strategy is bold, while also going at the heart of Addis Ababa government. A government who has used all means to destroy, loot and massacre civilians in Tigray region. The TDF is directly going at the cargo-line of the Federal Republic. Most imported goods passes this route and that has been reported by other organizations during the recent years.

The UNCTAD Report of 2018 states this:

The Djibouti City – Addis Ababa The main trunk road — meaning the road that has the most traffic — between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Djibouti City passes through the Ethiopian towns of Awash and Mille, crosses the border at Galafi, joins the route nationale 1 (RN1) in Djibouti, passes through Yoboki, continues just north of Ali-Sabieh, and then enters Djibouti City. The route is shown in 2.1. This section of the Djibouti-Ethiopia road corridor carries about 1,000 trucks per day, mostly six-axle truck/trailer combinations, with those carrying wet bulk — mainly fuel tankers — comprising about 35 per cent of the heavy goods traffic and the remaining 65 per cent consisting of dry bulk and container trucks” (UNCTAD/ALDC/2018/6 – ‘The Djibouti City – Addis Ababa Transit and Transport Corridor: Turning Diagnostics into Action’ 2018).

So, if the TDF blocks this route then they are stopping the direct imports and exports to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. This is an act to do the same as the state has done for months in Tigray region. That is retaliating with the same means, which the Prosperity Party and all its allies has done for so many months now. Yes, this is hurting the middle-men, the innocent civilians and everyone participating in trading. However, that has been for so long and made things much worse in the Tigray region. So the TDF is initially doing what the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) , Amhara allies (Regional Special Forces and “Fano”) and Eritrean Defence Force (EDF).

This is a strategic move and a bold one as well. They are not only going into places where the redeployed Special Regional Forces are stationed in Afar Region. They are also going to the A1/RN1 route. The TDF will block and stop hauliers, container trucks and others to pass. This will ensure a stoppage of goods and ordinary business. They can clearly hurt the Federal Government this way. As the trading would cease and they would struggle to operate.

If the TDF is able to pull this off. They are hurting the pockets of the government and directly stopping business. Cargo-trading will be hurt and it will take time for Ethiopian businesses/traders to switch to other ports. That will delay the exports or imports… This will be interesting, but the TDF is moving forward and gaining territory in Afar region as we speak. So, this will be followed. Peace.

Ethiopia: In Amhara region civil servants are now getting military training

It has been known for months that the Amhara Regional State has been directly involved in the Tigray conflict. The Amhara Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have today reported that in the Amhara region and in the East Gojjam Zone, Shebel Berenta Woreda the military training of civil servants has begun.

The ABC reports about the military training of civil servants here. However, don’t be shocked if this happens elsewhere in the Regional State. As the Amhara Regional State have used all means into the conflict. The Amhara have deployed their Special Forces and allowed a Para-Military Group “Fano” to be vital parts of the war-effort in Tigray region.

Therefore, this is a further escalation, but also showing no signs of stopping. As state employees and government workers are targeted for “recruitment” and going through military training. The report specified 15 consecutive days, which isn’t much of training, but the purpose is clear.

They are preparing everyone and even making military exercises with civil servants in Amhara region. This isn’t the act of government in peace and who works for law and order. No, this a warlord economics and planning.

The Amhara region is preparing more of its citizens for battle and the front. They are doing this to the ones who runs the Regional State. That says a lot. The bureaucrats and the clerks of the Regional State is now getting military training and equipment.

This is sadly no joke, but a worrying sign. As everyone is getting deployed and no boundaries in the conflict. That nobody stopped this and questioned this. Says a lot about the current state of affairs and to what extent the Amhara Regional State is willing to go. As they are now even possibly arming, but they are reported giving military training to civil servants. Peace.

Ethiopia: The TDF have now entered both Amhara and Afar regions

The conflict is really spiralling out of control for the Federal Government and their allies. As the Federal Government have deployed Regional Special Forces from all across the Republic in the recent days. The Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) is still able to gain further gains and continue to deliver winning battles.

The latest revelation says the TDF have already entered the Afar region, as they went after the ENDF and allies there. Now, they are going to Amhara, who has annexed and gone rouge in the Tigray region since November 2020. Therefore, this can be seen as self-defence. Since the Amhara Regional State isn’t not only involved in the warfare, but their militias and armies are directly implicated from day-one. The Amhara Regional State President have been openly campaigned for monetary support for the war. So, I understand why the TDF enters Amhara.

The TDF reveals today:

Strict warning from the Tigray Defense Forces TDF:

Tigray Defense Forces are currently operating in the Amhara region; That is, with the full cooperation of the residents of Sekota, Kobo and Weldiya (Woldia) areas. He intensified his military campaign. In addition, the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) is also active in the Afar region. The same support is being given to the brotherly people of Afar; He continued his military campaign. In this case, the people of the Amhara and Afar regions where the TDF operates:

Weapons that you have previously acquired or given to you by the government; They are yours.

We want to let you know that no one can touch you. in order to do so;

1st. Keep the weapons in your hands in your home;

2nd. You must never shoot at members of the Tigray Defense Forces

And if you do these two things, Tigray Defense Forces will not disarm you.

We would like to inform you.” (TDF, 20.07.2021).

So, this is a further escalation of the TDF, but that happens as the Federal Government has been redeploying troops as well. Instead of waiting inside Tigray for the attacks. The TDF have gone to the frontline of the enemies who are coming for them. That is the reason for this. We are seeing the war becoming different and the TDF is able to go after RSF and ENDF outside of the Tigray region.

This is just days after the TDF entered Afar and now they have done so in Amhara as well. Peace.

Ethiopia: Abiy deploys everyone so he can annihilate the TDF

It is clear that the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) is hurting and lack soldiers for the war-effort. That must be the initial take after 8 months of conflict in the Tigray Region. The Tigray Defence Force (TDF) must have hurt the Tripartite Alliance of ENDF, Eritrea Defence Force (EDF) and Amhara armies (Special Forces and “Fano”). Since after the ceasefire, the state needed to redeploy other forces to fight their battles. That says a lot at this point.

The list of new deployed troops comes from all the different regions and states of the Republic. It really says a lot of what Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the Prosperity Party. We know the Regional Special Forces have been out in the Regional States meeting quotas for deployment. Thta means many of the ones coming to the battlefield is new blood and not trained soldiers.

That should worry the ones deployed. These are facing the TDF who has now fought bravely for months against several of armies and been able to overcome it. Not that it has liberated the whole of Tigray, but still a huge part of it. Which has humiliated the Prime Minister and his allies. That’s the reason for the ceasefire in the end June 2021. So, that he could redeploy new forces.

Now the amount of “armies” and “militias” is official. This war will be a continued bloodshed and unknown amount of casualties. The Federal Government haven’t given any numbers or said anything about the destruction of previous participating brigades and ENDF troops in Tigray. Clearly, it has been bad.

When the ENDF is calling up these to fight its battle:

Amhara Regional Special Forces – (This one who have participated since November 2020)

Benishangul-Gumuz Regional Special Forces

Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” (This one have participated since November 2020)

Dire Dawa Police,

Gambela Regional Special Forces

Sidama Regional Special Force,

Oromia Regional Special Forces,

Somali (Ogaden) Regional Special Forces,

Harari Regional Special Forces

Afar Regional Special Forces

It is ten units who has been called up and deployed soldiers to the battlefield. The Federal Government is now trusting the Special Forces, which has been used to secure peace in the respective regional states and regions to combat the TDF. That says a lot about the drain of soldiers in the ENDF. They cannot sustain or have the ability to redeploy without using the regional state own forces. This is tragic and shows how the PM underestimated the Tigray region and his own armies might.

The Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister who is willing to wage genocidal tactics, starve the region to death and create a man made famine. That man is willing to wage war with the forces, which is creating stability and peace in the other regions. His risking to lose the strength of several of other regional states. As they are now sending these Special Forces.

That is clearly a risk the PM is willing to take… as his continuing to wage war and continuing his wish to annihilate the Tigray region. Peace.

Ethiopia: Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) – CARD Strongly Condemns the Deterioration of Media Freedom in Ethiopia (19.07.2021)

Ethiopia: The newest OCHA Situation Report on the Tigray region states a dire need for more humanitarian assistance [5.2 million people in dire need!]

According to the latest unendorsed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, without urgent and unimpeded food aid, over 400,000 people in Tigray region are projected to face catastrophic food insecurity (IPC 5,Catastrophe); and over 1.8 million people now in Emergency levels of acute food insecurity (IPC 4) in Tigray could slide into starvation” (OCHA, 19.07.2021).

The conflict that started in early November 2020 has now it’s tolls. There been reports of the devastation and destruction of the agricultural sector, as the conflicts continues and warfare persist. The state have blocked access and made very hard to get any humanitarian assistance into the region. That is still an ongoing issue, as the conflict is taking another turn.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs “Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, 19 July 2021” is a vital report on the current state of affairs. As the state will say everything is dandy and they are doing everything needed. While not proving anything and blocking humanitarian access or even convoys to cross into the region. That’s why you know the current affairs are bad.

There are reports of betterment, but that is just patching the hurt temporarily and not something sustainable. That is very clear by the wording and the amount of people still in dire need, which has reached 5.2 million civilians who needs humanitarian aid and their basic needs met. That shows how dire this conflict is and how many who are in the crossfire between the Tigray Defence Forces and the allies of the Federal Government.

OCHA reports:

Inside Tigray, aid workers are now able to access areas previously hard-to-reach, with an estimated 75 per cent of people in need of assistance (4 million out of 5.2 million people in need) now in zones where humanitarian operations can take place, compared to 30 per cent in May. However, stocks are rapidly depleting inside Tigray,as road access to the region has been curtailed over the last weeks. Road access to Tigray is now only possible through Semera, in Afar Region, via Abala, with heavy control by regional and federal authorities. The UN Humanitarian Air Service received, on 5 July, approval from the Government of Ethiopia to recommence flights to Tigray, and final arrangements and operational details are now being worked out to resume the service” (OCHA, 19.07.2021).

All of that just shows how hard the authorities and the Federal Government are acting in concern to the Tigray region. They are just blocking roads and ensuring the humanitarian convoy only gets one way in. Secondly, they also have to rely on “dumbo drops” of humanitarian assistance to the region. That says a lot about the unwillingness to open access and opportunities to directly deliver the assistance in the region.

OCHA continues:

In addition to limited humanitarian assistance, access to basic needs—including health care and water and sanitation—remains severely constrained. Lack of banking system and cash, scarcity of fuel, and limited access to commodities, are affecting the ability of the population to cope. Many rural areas still have no electricity and/or communications. Families remain unable to contact missing or separated loved ones due to the communications blackout in large parts of the region, while services and/or supplies that are reliant on electricity are no longer functioning” (OCHA, 19.07.2021).

This here has been reported, but shows the total blockade and that the state has initiated protocol not only to starve, but hurt anyone. They are ensuring the greater public of Tigray doesn’t have access to the basics. Everyone is targeted and there is no one who isn’t touched by the efforts made by the state. That’s why the state has ordered these measures and seeks to punish everyone.

OCHA says:

Although 80 per cent of people in northern Ethiopia depend on subsistence agriculture, so far very little financial support has been allocated to agricultural interventions that can help at-risk families resume productive activity and produce food for themselves and their communities, according to FAO. The current rainy season (June-September) offers a tight window of opportunity for farmers to get a crop in the ground and reboot local food production, but without funding and speedy supply of agricultural inputs, that opportunity could be missed” (OCHA, 19.07.2021).

I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that the Federal Government will supply or help the agricultural sector of Northern Ethiopia or the Tigray region. They have blocked funding of the Regional State Government for months ahead of the conflict and stopped aid organizations for participating in projects and combatting locusts. The Federal Government blocked other measures from humanitarian organizations as well ahead of the November 2020 conflict. So, don’t expect it to anything now. Now that it doesn’t allow or make it hard to access for UN Humanitarian Organizations to even deliver the food or basic necessities to the 5.2 millions in need.

The Prosperity Party and the Federal Government will not indulge funds for the agricultural sector now and has no interest in doing so. Not at this current stage and time. With frozen bank-accounts and locked out of ordinary communication. Neither, can other organizations fill the void and ensure farmers funding to buy seeds or seedlings for another harvest in the middle of the conflict.

Just like the OCHA stated in the beginning 1.8 million people could face starvation and most of the people needs to agricultural sector going to get feed. That’s why the humanitarian assistance needs to go there and reach in time. So, that this season can save and help out a little in this crisis. As there are plenty of people in need.

There is need for change and making things easier for the humanitarian organizations to reach the people in need. As this is only prolonging the agony and the hurt. The Federal Government is doing this deliberately and its tragic. Because so many lives are touched by this. Peace.

Ethiopia: Abiy’s dangerous rhetoric

Today’s statement is exposing the narratives and the mindset of a government in the middle of war. Who can deliberately state that the government and its allies is getting rid of the “weed” and shielding the “wheat”. That is a way of killing off and demeaning the enemies. This is in the same manner, which a Prosperity Party leader in Oromia said months ago that they needed to clean the sea of the fish.

Prime Minister Abiy is showing a sort of rhetoric and political language who only fits a genocide. Where everyone of one ethnic group is the enemies. The nation can only be unified and cleaned of he “weed” if these are gotten rid off.

That is the initial game here. It isn’t just a nice metaphor, but a destructive language, which intends to dehumanize and allow war-crimes. That’s how the state is allowing ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity and use illegal methods to destroy the enemy. That’s why the Prime Minister doesn’t mind blocking humanitarian aid, humanitarian convoys, besieging the Tigray region, blocking electricity, jamming phone-lines and a media blackout in the Tigray region. That’s all fine, because it’s destroying the “weed”.

Everything is fine as long as you shield and secure the wheat. Since you are targeting and stopping the “weed” from growing. The “weed” will destroy the harvest and the quality of wheat. That’s what the Prime Minister is speaking off.

This is with intent and incite, inspire and making people battle-ready. The Prime Minister is calling out for war and annihilation of Tigray. He wants them to burn and suffer, because this way he is securing unity on the cost of one group. As long as one group of people is destroyed and their livelihoods. Than he see a possibility for unity…. which is insane and dangerous.

A man that uses this sort of derogatory words against others. Only shows that he devalues and describes others as “sub-human” and allows their demise. He is defending his rights to assault, kill and massacre the “weed” because that’s what the state needs. This is a worrying sign in itself and that the PM does it so publicly.

He spread this message to the nation on Twitter and it got translated. The language is showing his intent and purpose. The PM and his alliance is going to the core. They are not valuing or caring for the “weed” and working in groups to get rid of the “weed”. That says it all and it’s nothing hopeful in this language.

So, if things turns to genocide or genocidal, they have been told to do so by the Prime Minister. While we know the Tigrayans are being targeted, losing their businesses, abducted and incarcerated without due process. The state is blocking banking services and other measures as well. Therefore, the state has already prepared for this…

The world should be worried when the Prime Minister announces things like this. Today’s statement is a public warning shot and a war-cry. The state is now willing to collectively get rid of the “weed” and that can legitimize a possible genocide. That should worry us all and nobody cannot say they didn’t see it coming.

Prime Minister Abiy words are horrifying and the world should watch out. The rehashed and new recruits have a clear mission and that should worry anyone. Not just winning a war, but annihilate as well. Peace.

Opinion: Abiy’s war-cry!

The enemy we are facing is an enemy which is the cancer of Ethiopia. The junta is probably the only group in history that used its political power to disintegrate its own country. As the saying goes “a familiar devil is not easily dislodged”, so the junta will attempt to cling on desperately” (Abiy, 18.07.2021).

Just as all the news of deployment from all the regions of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to reissue the war in the Tigray Region. The Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has published his war cry.

The war that he ordered early in November 2020 and “ended” with a “ceasefire” in the end of June. However, that never happened and the state besieged the region. They blocked the roads and region. The Amhara Special Forces and Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” was still active. Troops was circling the region and blocking everyone from entering. The Federal Government was also destroying vital infrastructure like bridges to block even humanitarian convoys from entering. Blocking aid agencies from warehouses in Amhara. So, that the humanitarian organizations needed to reroute and drive through Afar Region to get into Tigray region.

That’s why we know today message to galvanize the troops of Ogaden (Somali Region), Sidama, Amhara and Oromia who has been called up. The Special Forces and new recruits to combat the Tigray Defence Force (TDF). That’s why he is coming with this statement to show strength ahead of the battles and continued warfare in the North.

Forces who are afraid of our unity will do everything they deem to be divisive. They conspire to divert our wrath from them toward our own. But we will never do that. The unity we have created now is what destroyed the old conspiracy of the junta and what will destroy the owner of the conspiracy and which will ensure the renaissance of the country they had conspired against” (Abiy, 18.07.2021).

Isn’t it ironic that he speaks of unity? A man who is forcing his war on people. A man who has taken everyone for granted and getting the whole republic to fight his war. A leader who is not willing to talk, negotiate or have dialogue. However, he is willing to use all his allies to fight his war. While also dismissing every single dissident or such. That’s why his election is a fraud and the usage of military to get political gains in Tigray. He has only gone to this war to consolidate power, but however… that has backfired. The quick and brief operation, which was supposed end in the end of November 2020 is still on its 8th to 9th month. So, it is hard to build things together, when your constantly works to destroy your political enemies. That’s a road to destruction and the PM should know this, but I doubt he will live to say that. His arrogance and ego will not allow that.

We have a strict plan of why, how, when, where, and what to do. The result will soon be evident to both friend and foe. Our army is ready for a spectacular mission. We will work to remove the weed. But while removing the weed, we will try our best not to damage the wheat. In our country, we weed collectively. And this is what the children of Ethiopia are doing” (Abiy, 18.07.2021).

The PM is calling Tigray the “weed” away from the wheat. Deliberately saying they are dangerous and destroying the harvest. That they are the ones damaging the nations. That’s because the TPLF dared to jump out of the Prosperity Party and not being a part of the consolidation of the EPRDF coalition. So, his willing to remove the TDF and TPLF for that reason. It really says something about his mindset.

We can confidently say, the junta will be uprooted in a manner that will ensure it will not bud again. This will happen if we collaborate to remove the invasive weed. In the process, individuals may err; divisive information may be heard. Even though we are united as to our end, there may be arguments about the means. In any case, this will not stop us from achieving our goal. The children of Ethiopia have risen from all four corners to undo the plans of the junta. This itself is a victory. The children of Ethiopia have identified their enemy. And they know what they have to do. And they will do it” (Abiy, 18.07.2021).

The Prime Minister shows his warlord tactics … and there is no denying that anymore. His speaking of the mission and the mission is clearly to destroy, loot and total annihilate the Tigray region. To take away land and destroy its power. They are doing whatever they can and it’s not anymore about a constitutional dispute. No, it is about power and settling old grudges.

We now know… and he uses words like “cancer”, “devil” and “weeds” to describe his enemies. It shows what he stands for and who he is. His not a man of peace, but a man of war. Who is willing to use any word to fit his narrative.

Prime Minister Abiy has his war-cry after starting to deploy new recruits, using special forces and new soldiers from every other region. That’s because he didn’t have an army to bring to the table. That’s why he had to call a “ceasefire” to retool and rebuild. To have chance to return to Mekelle. A city that is in his eyes not “important” anymore. Peace.