Ethiopia: Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) – Horrified by the Brutal Murder of Three Colleagues in Ethiopia (25.06.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front/Army – OLF/OLA High Command – Update on the Detained Afghani Nationals (25.06.2021)

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press statement on the concerns of partners and friends on the 6th General Elections in Ethiopia (25.06.2021)

Ethiopia: Mufti willing to sow diversion over the Togoga bombing this week…

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dina Mufti: “This is simply a diversionary tactic and they want to divert the attention of the government and the Ethiopian people from what they are doing,” he underscored. Emphasizing that the government never targets civilians, Dina said “Tigryans are our people. We take care of them, and targeting civilians is not in the interest of the government. But the junta elements should be hunted down and brought to justice.” (Ethiopian News Agency – ‘Airstrike Report on Civilians in Tigray Fabricated, Diversionary Tactic: Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 24.06.2021).

It is strange that reporting on a initial bombing is being told as a diversion tactic by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) in concern of the victims and the fatalities of their own citizens in Tigray Region. They are together with the Tripartite Alliance in the continued warfare in the region. This is disgraceful … and they will use this tactic in the times to come.

They want positive headlines, but not reporting on their acts in Tigray. They want blind praise and speeches of grandeur. That the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister is the second coming of Christ. This is what they want, but that isn’t a gift you get automatically.

The aerial bombing of the Togoga market is a horrific act and a crime against humanity. However, there been so many massacres since early November 2020. That this is just following of their actions there. It is tragic, but at this current day. Lives are cheap and not valued by the state. As the warfare that was only supposed to last for a few weeks, but is still on-going.

Here is official statements on how the state addressed the Togoga market bombing…

The International Committee of the Red Cross statement on the 23rd June 2021:

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helped facilitate medical evacuation of wounded people by the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) from Togoga village, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The operation was conducted in coordination with all relevant parties. The wounded were transported in ERCS ambulances and are now receiving medical treatment in Ayder Referral hospital in Mekelle. “We will always support Movement partners in the provision of life-saving services to people affected by conflict and violence,” said Nicolas Von Arx, ICRC’s Head of delegation in Addis Ababa. “We cannot stress enough how vital it is for the medical mission to be respected and protected at all times.”” (ICRC – ‘ICRC facilitates medical evacuation of wounded people from Togoga village in Tigray’ 23.06.2021).

A statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:

(New York, 23 June 2021): I am deeply disturbed by reports of bombing yesterday that killed and wounded civilians in a market in Togoga, Tigray. I am equally alarmed by reports of armed forces blocking roads and preventing ambulances from evacuating the wounded for medical treatment. I extend my sincere condolences to the victims’ families and community. All parties to the conflict must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. Attacks directed against civilians and indiscriminate attacks are prohibited, and all parties must take constant care to spare civilians throughout military operations. The wounded must receive, to the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay, the medical care and attention they need” (OCHA – ‘Statement by Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham, on Tigray’ 23.06.2021).

That the government calls this a diversion is a insult to all the people who was touched, hurt and died in this attack of that market that day. They deserve a government shielding them from war and keeping them safe. Not a government who has ordered the war, use their allies and trying to keep the initial acts of the warfare hidden from the world. Because, that is what the Ethiopian government have tried for months to do. Now they hope to pin the ones reporting it as a tactic to look away from its achievements and what it has accomplished recently.

However, the Spokesperson says they haven’t hurt civilians and that has been excuse from the get-go. Just like the Prime Minister said not a single civilian was killed during the first siege of Mekelle in November 2020 well. We have seen this before and it’s tragic. That the government isn’t doing it’s duty, but using a blame-game.

There are even reports of the soldiers blocking the hurt, the dying civilians from getting medical treatment or health care in Mekelle. As they were blocked while passing though road-blocks. That just shows how insincere this government is and what they are willing to say. This has to be remembered in the other lies from the same state. That has lied about so many factors in this war and it continues to spew out falsehoods. While civilians and innocent citizens are dying, because one man wanted to consolidate all power in Addis Ababa. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray Center for Information and Communication – Ethiopia Bombs Marketplace in Togoga Village, Tigray (22.06.2021)

Ethiopia: A statement from the Oromo Federalist Congress on the Ethiopian ‘Elections’ – An election that is not fair and not inclusive cannot deliver democracy (23.06.2021)

A look into the African Union EOM Preliminary Statement on the Ethiopian Elections of 2021

The Mission notes that this is the first time that the Prime Minister is seeking political legitimacy through elections, hence the importance attached to these elections” (African Union, 23.06.2021).

Today, the African Union Election Observation Monitoring Preliminary Statement on the 21st June 2021 Ethiopian Elections. This is two days after the polls and it sets the standards on how many will look at these elections.

We can question the elections long before the polls. That’s because of how the state is operating. There is no safe-space and limited freedom for the opposition. The opposition and the ones who dissent from the current leadership is in danger. They are either behind bars, on the run or dead. Therefore, we know this election was rigged before it started. If the leadership wanted a free and fair election. They wouldn’t have blocked, arrested and stopped the opposition from running as well. Which it did with a ruthless hand.

The African Union EOM states this as well: “Notwithstanding the substantive reforms undertaken, the arrest and detention of high-profile opposition individuals have resulted in certain political parties boycotting the elections, while others have been barred from taking part in the elections” (African Union, 23.06.2021). So, when I states that it has occurred, the AU says it as well.

What is worrying and kept under the weather is this fact, which the AU says now: “The Mission notes that most of the members and staff of NEBE have little or no prior election administration experience and conducted the 2021 general elections under a new and untested legal framework. The limited experience may have contributed to the operational and logistical challenges NEBE encountered” (African Union, 23.06.2021).

That really states a fact, which should worry anyone. As the regime and party can use these inexperienced bureaucrats to ensure their victory. They will follow orders and comply, as they are appointed and gotten their offices, accordingly with the current leadership. That’s how this seems and could easily be swayed that way.

What’s the most striking is the repetition of this recommendation, which says a lot about the current regime: “Urgently undertake measures to heal societal divisions through national reconciliation, dialogue, and inclusivity” (African Union, 23.06.2021). The AU recommended this to the government, AU itself and the International Community to “undertake National reconciliation initiatives”. That’s says it all about the how things are and how dire it is. When they can see, but not putting any distress on the matter. They could have come with an warning, but I don’t think the AU EOM dares to do so. This is why they are saying this and putting it forward.

However, they are asking the Prime Minister and his party to seek dialogue. When they are the ones who has weaponized the political sphere and has used the state as a tool to oppress their opposition. You expect the leaders who calls for war will suddenly talk of cease-fire? Well, I doubt that. I think they rather want to see the demise of the ones in their way. Before ever considering to talk to the ones who is in their way…

The most disgusting and legitimizing the elections was these sentences from the conclusion, which says this: “There was nothing, in estimation, that distracted from the credible conduct of the elections. The Mission, therefore, commends all Ethiopians for the demonstrated commitment to the democratic development of the country” (African Union, 23.06.2021).

It is really striking to call it a credible election, when so many political prisoners and so many who is left behind. That should be the first step to say this election isn’t credible. Because, how can it be, when the opposition isn’t really participating? When the dissidents and opposition does have the ability to participate, but still calling it credible? How is that possible and what reasoning can you have to get there?

For me… that’s an impossible task and election to have. When there is no middle-ground and a system working against the one it opposes. Therefore, the AU EOM is deliberately being a tool for legitimacy. Which they state the importance of and also shows the need for reconciliation. However, don’t expect that to happen from the same guys, which orders the arrest of others. That isn’t happening, unless the Prime Minister and his party needs to buy time. Before they again arrests them and goes after them. That’s what is to be expected, because this government fears them and their popularity. If they didn’t fear them and couldn’t use them. They would have let them go and would have let them participate in this election. Nevertheless, they didn’t do that and that’s why we are here.

This wasn’t an credible election and the AU EOM is doing itself a disservice… and it’s not surprising. The AU EOMs are a dictators best friend. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigray Scholars (GSTS) – Open Letter – A Call for Immediate Intervention to Stop further use of cluster Bombs and Incendiary Weapons on Civilians in Tigray (22.06.2021)

Opinion: Abiy is willing to lie about everything…

BBC Transcript from interview of 21.06.2021

The civil war and the conflict in Tigray region have proven that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali is willing to lie about everything. A war reveals everything eventually. You cannot hide the victims, the deceased and the burned villages forever. The destroyed factories needs to be rebuilt. Airports destroyed and whatnot of infrastructure needs funds to be rebuilt.

You can blow up a home, kill a person, but someone has to build a new home and another have to bury the deceased. This is why the tragedies will be revealed and the horrific actions will be told. It will not be in the manner or which the state can control the narratives or the evidence itself. Since, then its the people, the victims or the refugees telling their eye-witness stories. They are happening on a later date, but they still know what they saw and who was the culprit of the action.

Therefore, Prime Minister Abiy cannot lie about it then. He can lie about it now and act like things are not happening. Still, that doesn’t make it true.

Just like he has in the past lied about the demographics about the refugees who fled to Sudan. He also lied about the presence and the allied forces from Eritrea in the conflict. The Prime Minister also lied about the preparation for the conflict and the troops movement ahead of November 2020. Therefore, there hasn’t been any story he has been trustworthy with.

The Prime Minister have even told two different stories on his own origins. That shouldn’t be possible, but still an action he has done. The Prime Minister has lied about other things and I’m still wondering when his government going to have the ability to control rain.

The Prime Minister will call this a free and fair election. While most of his real opposition is behind bars or already killed. The authorities has blocked the opposition and stopped them from challenging him. That’s why we know this isn’t an honest poll. If it was… he wouldn’t have so many political prisoners and stopped their parties from running campaigns. Therefore, that is another lie.

This PM will lie. He is willingly lying about everything. The PM will say the economy is steaming to greatness. While he couldn’t balance the budget without borrowing funds from the International Monetary Funds or World Bank. The PM cannot be running a well government in wartime. He is spending funds on warfare and assaulting his own citizens. Just to prove a point. The PM is possibly paying the Eritrean forces to fight his own wars. Therefore, the government have huge bills to pay without the additional growth to cover the expenses.

The Prime Minister is now saying there is no hunger in Tigray region. While there been clear covering of that. Where there was 33,000 children neglected and possibly dying of hunger there. Over 300,000 facing dire hunger and distress in the region. You know the PM is lying. As his troops and tripartite alliance is stopping aid convoys and blocking NGOs from helping there. Therefore, the PM knows perfectly well, but to save his own face he prefers to lie.

This PM will lie about anything. His party and allies will do whatever and say whatever to look good. The house is maybe burning, but they are saying it has a strong foundation. Still, the fire is burning and destroying it. They will say the paint isn’t toxic or it’s somebody else fault that the alarm didn’t go-off. The PM will say that people shouldn’t report on the fire or talk about the consequences of it. They should focus on the garden and the neighbourhood itself. That’s how they are playing with things.

Prime Minister Abiy will lie and continue to lie. It doesn’t matter as long as it benefits him and his agenda. This is their game and the citizens are the props. That is tragic, but the reality of it all. Peace.

Ethiopia: OLF and OFC denounces the Unlawful Mistreatment of Oromia Refugees by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its Detention Centers (21.06.2021)