“More videos about Djibouti events have been found where we can see :
-Police men taking part in the violences against Afar civilians alongside Issa youth
– Afar victims with gunshot wounds, Police shooting at them
-Police chasing afar civilians in Arhiba with their cars” (Qafar Media, 04.08.2021).
This here is clear indication that the authorities and the police planned the attacks on Afar civilians in Djibouti in the recent days. The numbers of dead is uncertain, as the official dead is 10, but there been use of guns, reckless driving and other measures. Clearly, there could be people who is not accounted for in Djibouti City and in the other towns.
The leaders has already armed the Issa militias and used the police to go after Afar civilians. That shows what they wanted and there was videos of inciting to violence ahead of 1st August 2021. Therefore, this was coordinated. Just like the export and violence within Afar Region in Ethiopia and the villages targeted within the Somali Region (Ogaden). The Djibouti authorities knew what they were doing and using the power vacuum in their favour.
That’s why it’s happening now and the world should be watching. Because, this is the Issa Somali targeting Afar people. That’s happening both in Djibouti, Ogaden and in the Afar Region. Meaning, they are doing it across borders and in a huge spectrum.
When the police can use this force against innocent civilians, as the state and militias deported, destroyed buildings, closed shops and even killed them for who they are. That should be not only condemned but reported. As this might be a spiralling beginning, as the authorities are allowed to do this and they are the law enforcement. Meaning the Afar people has nothing to say. They will be criminalized, if they do or if they don’t. Peace.
Here we are!!! Will we forget Warableh? No we won’t!
Will we forget Arhiba? No we won’t! We have no leader in Djibouti.! We only have Allah!” – Protesters in Tadjourah City on the 2nd August 2021
Yesterday, there was reports that Afar civilians was targeted and their communities was under fire in the capital of Djibouti City. Where the Issa Somali Militia and the Police was involved in the burning of houses, closing shops, hurting civilians and even killing people.
Today, on the second day in the Republic this has sparked outside of Djibouti City. The Police and Issa Somali Militia have gone after peaceful protesters of Afar ethnicity in for instance Randa, Tadjourah and Obock. There been reported that the army have intervened to stop this with violent force.
The government has officially blocked social media and disrupts the internet connection as well through the DjibTel firewalls are blocking VPN. Facebook is totally blocked and Twitter is working without videos.
Because of the authorities blockade and only a few is able to access the internet with VPN. They are the ones showing what his happening and the situation is dire. As Afar civilians are meeting bullets and open discrimination. There been reports of possible deportation of Afar civilians from Djibouti City to elsewhere with buses after yesterday. However, that hasn’t been verified.
Though we do know… that the state is attacking these citizens of Afar communities not only in Djibouti City and in other towns too. We also know that the Issa Somali Militia have attacked the Afar region and in Somali Region (Ogaden) in Ethiopia.
This is all worrying and shows what the state is willing to do. While civilians are losing their lives, getting bruised for life and losing their livelihoods just because of their ethnic background. That shouldn’t be the case anywhere. Therefore, the leadership and authorities of Djibouti has blood on its hands and this is the injustice its serve certain parts of the population. Peace.
“We are all anxious, worried and concerned about the situation that prevails tonight in Djibouti-ville. Why this abyssal silence of the public authorities?” (ODDH Djibouti, 01.08.2021).
“SOS message from the residents of Arhiba (Afar neighborhod in Djibouti):
“Many of the deaths in Arhiba by the police. They keep shooting at us. Is there a government in Djibouti?”” (Afar Watch, 01.08.2021).
Just days after there was reports that the Djibouti government was sponsoring and helping the Issa Somali militia attack and targets inside the Afar Region. This is putting their stakes within the inter-communal conflicts between Ogaden and Afar Region. Which has been going on for years.
Now, the Djibouti government is taking it within its own state as well. Where the Issa Somali and been reported of state involvement in attacking communities and parts of Djibouti city where Afar people lives. This means the state is attacking and ethnically cleansing the parts of the capital.
There been reports of the Djibouti Police participating in the sparking attacks in Djibouti. This is an escalation and makes it change from Ethiopia into Djibouti. This after the Djibouti have sponsored and armed Issa Somali militia in Ethiopia.
Houses, businesses and shops have been burned. People have been killed and dozens been hurt. We don’t know the extent of it. What we do know is that this was planned, as there was messages sent out in advance warning Afar civilians. The police force was involved and we know the authorities are starting to block social media sites as Facebook and could easily block it all.
This meaning the elites and the inner-circle of power knew about it. They wanted this bloodshed and destruction to happen. To incite fear and attack the Afar people. Just like it does directly in Afar region as well.
That is worrying and the outside world should be aware of this. Since, the Issa Somali and Djibouti is now targeting the Afar both inside and outside of Djibouti. Peace.
“Somali region accuses militia from Afar of killing hundreds of civilians in an attack. The Somali regional admin spokesperson Ali Bedel told Reuters that the militia carried out a “massacre” Saturday in a contested area known as both Gedamaytu and Gabraiisa” (Garowe Online, 27.07.2021).
The Issa-Somali militia is now verified to interfere in parts of the Afar Region. That has happened after the massacre in the Somali region over the weekend. This is an reaction to this and directly retaliating at the forces of Afar.
Issa-Somali has done this after the Afar Special Regional Forces and Liyu Police attacked massacred and looted Gedamaytu and Gabralisa.
What is more striking is that there is unverified reports that the Djibouti government is arming and helping the Issa-Somali militia, which have now crossed from the Somali region into Afar region. The Issa-Somali is targeting pastoralist areas of the Afar. Towns and woredas who has been contested between the Ogaden and Somali region.
The Djibouti interference would be striking, as the Addis Ababa have a working relationship with Djibouti. They are allies and the Djibouti government have easily transferred or deported Ethiopian nationals without any hesitation. Also, directly causing more harm in the border regions of the state of Djibouti.
As the Somali region youth have already been reported to block the railway and roads that goes into Djibouti. Which is the biggest trading partner and the biggest port of the landlocked Ethiopia. This is a beneficial relationship and that’s why you could wonder what the government of Djibouti would earn on arming a militia within Ogaden and going into Afar. Unless, they are planning to send these to target the Tigray Defence Force (TDF). However, that is just mere speculation.
The Issa-Somali is now fighting together with Somali (Ogaden) Regional Special Forces in the Afar region. This just shows how fickle things are and you can wonder what is up. As they are targeting Afar tribes men in general. Then, they are doing this to annex land to the Ogaden region. Which has been an issue for years…
We can just wonder if Djibouti is arming the Issa-Somali militia. If they are… then its yet another country involved in internal conflicts within Ethiopia. That’s a sign of weakness. For someone talking so dearly about being sovereign. The state is not only attack by foreign forces of the likes of Eritrea. Who has still annexed some land in Tigray. While Djibouti could use this an opportunity as well to get their stake in as well.
That is only, if this is true, which we don’t know yet. We know the Federal Government would lie about that. Also, about the rise of Issa-Somali as well. They wouldn’t come out and say that Regional Special Forces would be used for this either. That would hurt the pride and strength of the Prime Minister. Who has to look great and gallant at all times. Peace.
Again and again, the state is picking-up and arresting opposition leaders. Today the newest victim of this is Baytona leader Kibrom Sibhat. He was arrested and taken away by federal security officers. The Federal Police took him away and he haven’t been seen. Neither is there any clear report where his detained and what charges he has.
We don’t know what “crime” he has done. Neither what reason there is for his arrest. The only reason it seems… is that his a leader of an opposition party and part of the Tigray National Political Parties Forum, which Baytona is a part off. Which have issued stern press releases and information about the warfare in the Tigray region since early November 2020.
This is political persecution and taking away their liberty, freedom and justice because of their association. The state have done this to other parties too and this is nothing new. However, this is a continuation and is the modus operandi of the regime in Addis Ababa.
This is the reform Abiy have delivered to the Nation and must be his most valuable asset ahead of the election. Since that cannot be dialogue, reforms or even policies worth a damn. I am saying that.. because he rather arrest, detain and keep his political enemies behind bars. Than actually meet them in a free and fair election. His worried he cannot win or have the ability to overcome his opponents.
That’s why its easier to use the monopoly of violence the state has and issues orders of their demise. Therefore, Sibhat of Baytona is just a part of a long list of political prisoners. Who is just happening to be in the opposition. That is just the way it is and the state continues to use it machinery to get its foes behind bars. Peace.
The World Bank together with development partners has supported a Safety Net Development projects since the financial year of 2018 and it’s supposed to end by 31st December 2020. It is called by them Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP). This is supposed to support farmers and secure food security across the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE).
Clearly, the fallout between the Tigray and Addis Ababa. The result of the political stalemate between Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Prosperity Party (PP) has yet another financial implication. The PP have already blocked Federal Support of the Regional Government of Tigray. Also, collaboration between the House of Federation (HoF) and Regional Government of Tigray has ceased.
Today, the news that the Federal Government are now blocking the funds and support through the World Bank Program of PSNP. A program made for farmers, secure livelihood and give the farmers social accountability. Latest support from the World Bank was in September 2020. The Federal Government got $66m USD allocated to PSNP. The funds now blocked has to be from this.
This means the state is deliberately blocking one region from accessing funds given to the whole Republic. It wasn’t given to just Amhara or Oromia. No, it was given to the government representing the whole Republic. That means, the altering of the funding, which was intended to them all.
The funders of the PSNP should react to this. Especially, if they care for the livelihood of the farmers in Tigray. If the state had blocked farmers in Ogaden or in Oromia. There would be the same reason to cry havoc. This is wrong on all basis and only done because the PP is punishing the Tigray for not following the “orders” from Addis.
The Federal Government is punishing the farmers of Tigray. That is the reality of this. The foreign donors are blocked from giving needed aid to Tigray. Just because the PP and Federal Government isn’t friendly with Mekelle at the moment.
This is tragic that foreign aid can be used like this and be suspended, because of the Napoleon Complex of the Prime Minister. Peace.
United States of America is really just cherry-picking the world right now, they are evolving into a beast and not an Uncle Sam. President Donald J. Trump don’t like to have friends, unless they are related or Roger Stone. That is now seen with his recent activity, not that he knows of these countries or these market. That I say, because he has no hotel or haven’t laundered money from there. The countries being hurt by his new policies are Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. Places he would never travel to or have consideration about. That is because in his mind, they are shitholes, but as long as they serve as vassal states for the United States. Everything is fine and dandy.
What we are talking about is this:
“(A) THE PRESIDENT IS AUTHORIZED TO DESIGNATE A SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRY AS AN ELIGIBLE SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRY IF THE PRESIDENT DETERMINES THAT THE COUNTRY (SEE NOTE*)
(1) (A country that) has established, or is making continual progress toward establishing–
(A) a market-based economy that protects private property rights, incorporates an open rules-based trading system, and minimises government interference in the economy through measures such as price controls, subsidies, and government ownership of economic assets” (AGOA – ‘AGOA Country Eligibility’).
It is special that the US President is using this against these three states on the imports of used-clothes and shoes. That these three republics trying to develop their own textile and clothes industry, to create work and also revamp the economies. That would mean, that people would also earn more money and spend more money. In the end buying foreign produced clothes on the fashion-lines, that usually are branding American and European brands. Therefore, I don’t understand why Trump suddenly acts like this, when Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania wants to secure their industries.
Because, it is not many days ago, since the President himself used rules and provisions to secure the Steel and Aluminum industry on his own soil. So, that the giant United States can control it, but their trading with other can be spoiled, because it doesn’t favor the President. Seems like double-standard to be. It is easy to muffle the poor and the ones with lack budgets, that are in need of donors. They need to stifle the demands of the powerful, but the ones with power can just use the same means themselves. Still, that doesn’t make it right.
That the United States are trying to force their used-clothes on Rwanda. Like they don’t deserve their own clothes industry and to secure better products, local designs and local textiles is insane. Why shouldn’t they strive for that? Why shouldn’t Uganda strive for their own Bata’s? What is wrong with Tanzanian made shoes? Nothing really, that should be supported, especially if the United States wants to think long-term and create better exports. They would earn even more on ordinary trade of clothes, not second-hand that sold bulk and through other channels. But I am sure that Trump has no knowledge of this or even could imagine it.
This is clearly a step of imperialism from United States, since they cannot stomach, that the partners and the ones getting donations through USAID. Isn’t accepting to be a bazaar for their used stuff. The products that is B-Level and already had their day in the sunshine.
Knowingly, how he is America First, the man himself should understand how others wants to build to their own industries, but thinking Trump has that capacity of thinking is overstepping and thinking that he could actually calculate, that others are sovereign too and not only his state. The East African Republic’s shouldn’t be punished for acting in their own interests over second-hand clothes. Neither second hand shoes. That is insulting and infuriating. If it was just charity and done out direct needs. It would make sense, but if your forcing bad products, because of own will for quick-profits and at the same time destroying local industries. I understand why Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda is trying to ban it and stop it. I respect that and stand behind it. Who wants a old T-Shirt, when you can buy a local-made?
If you buy a local-made, it would create a job for the one making it, the one designing it and the one selling, plus the distribution within the state. That is good business and create lots of job. These jobs create other jobs and funnel money in the system. So some of them will buy foreign design and clothes, that might even be American. That is how the United States should think, if they cared about a free-market narrative, but they are now planning to punish Rwanda and others, because they want to build-up own industry.
Trump is creating a trade-war over Second Hand Clothes.
Second Hand Clothes to East Africa!
“Washington, DC – The President determined today the eligibility of Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda for trade preference benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). In response to a petition filed by the U.S. used clothing industry in March 2017, the Administration initiated an out-of-cycle review of Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda’s AGOA eligibility regarding their decisions to phase in a ban on imports of used clothing and footwear. The review found that this import ban harms the U.S. used clothing industry and is inconsistent with AGOA beneficiary criteria for countries to eliminate barriers to U.S. trade and investment. Based on the results of the review, the President determined that Rwanda is not making sufficient progress toward the elimination of barriers to U.S. trade and investment, and therefore is out of compliance with eligibility requirements of AGOA. Consequently, the President notified Congress and the Government of Rwanda of his intent to suspend duty-free treatment for all AGOA-eligible apparel products from Rwanda in 60 days” (AGOA – ‘ President Trump Determines Trade Preference Program Eligibility For Rwanda, Tanzania, And Uganda’ 30.03.2018).
This is infuriating and not cool. AGOA should be used as a method to not destroy industry in the developing countries, but add revenue both ways. Now the United States is just using imperialism. Trade-War with East African Countries.
Trump is foolish and also, this is not gaining sympathy and the reasons for this. This isn’t adding and just show how belittling and narrow-minded he is. But that we knew, we just have to see who spanks him. Peace.
MinBane 