Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Statement on the Continuing Suspension of Humanitarian Aid Delivery into Tigray (28.02.2022)

Ethiopia: Urgent appeal to the International Community by Afar People’s Party (27.02.2022)

In Ethiopia, the Afar Regional State is neighboring to Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions, while internationally bordering to Djibouti and Eritrea. This geopolitically important region that predominantly inhabited by indigenous Afar pastoralist is now exposed to unimaginable scale of grievances and humanitarian calamities due to the invasion of Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) and its military forces.

The first unprovoked invasion of Afar region by TPLF began in mid-July 2021 occupying the central Afar zone (Zone 4) leaving hundreds of thousands displaced, infrastructures destroyed, domestic animals were raided and mass-killed by heavy artilleries, schools and health facilities are looted and burned down to the ground . Civilian causalities in this attack are much underreported given the majority of the victims are pastoralists without civil registration system.

However, the heinous bloodbath occurred on 5 August 2021 in Gaalikooma kebele of Gulina district in Zone 4, where more than 280 displaced families temporarily sheltered-in health and a school facilities bombarded by heavy artilleries of Tigary forces. The victims of this barbaric act were children, women and elderly IDPs. This act of terror was reported by the press statement of UNICEF.

In September 2021, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported about the prevailing atmosphere of fear, and deterioration of living conditions and gross violations of human rights that resulted in the forced displacement and suffering of the civilian population.

The second aggression of TPLF on Afar started on 24 Jan 2022; one month just after the TPLF announced its troops withdrawal from both the Afar and Amhara regions. Since then residents of Aba’ala, Magale, Erebti, Barahle and Konnaba are enduring the harshest period. This second unprovoked and systematic offensive has created a wave of civilian displacement and a mass exodus of population exposing them to hunger and thirst in desert landscape.

Moreover, a systematic destruction of health facilities, looting and burning of food stores and warehouses for essential medicines, confiscations of domestic animals and plundering of small business has disrupted the livelihood of Afar people. Hence, the entire region is facing famine like situation. Similarly there is a growing challenge with regard to deteriorating health conditions of IDPs (Internally Displaced People) where essential medicines are inaccessible.

The magnitude of infrastructure destruction and human suffering as well as crime against humanity in Afar region is unfolding in daily bases. Afar people are now a nation going through a trauma, while both the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the International Community stays silent to what is happening.

It is important to recall that the Afar People’s Party (APP) has decided not to Participate in the process of National Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission; due to it’s exclusiveness , lack of transparency and huge and direct influence and involvement of Federal Government.

We reject any exclusive,non-pariticipatory bilateral deals or negotiations of both TPLF and GoE while A deadly war is still taking place in Afar and the northern part of Afar region is under the occupation of TPLF.

APP demands a total withdrawal of TPLF forces from the Afar region and stops any conflict in order to initiate a genuine dialogue and lasting peace. APP calls up on the Federal Government of Ethiopia to ensure the inclusiveness of the dialogue by inviting all stakeholders including the opposition political parties.

Afar People’s Party is a legally registered political party that has been chairing the Ethiopian Political Parities Joint Council and participated in national election 2021.

Afar People’s Party calls up on:

1. The International Community to address the humanitarian crisis taking place in Northern part of Afar Region with urgent humanitarian assistance;

2. International community to pressure TPLF to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from Afar Regional State and respect the constitutional sovereignty of Afar Regional State;

3. The Federal Government of Ethiopia to ensure the protection and safety of its citizens, by showing a clear and open terms and conditions of ceasefire, humanitarian access to all those in need and withdrawal of occupying forces;

4. The Federal Government of Ethiopia to revisit the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission; it’s independence , it’s all inclusivity and transparency of it’s process, due to the fact that we believe the process is as equally important as the anticipated outcome;

5. The Afar Regional Government to clearly follow up and update both media and the general public on current crisis in the region;

6. Human Rights bodies to investigate the war crimes committed by TPLF during its occupation in Afar regional State ;

7. The International Community to support the devastated social and economic infrastructures as well as the livelihood of pastoralists deliberately destroyed by the invading Tigray forces.

Afar People’s Party

Samara, February 27, 2022

Ethiopia: New OCHA Report – 9 million people needs food assistance in Northern Ethiopia

According to an emergency food security assessment conducted during the main harvest in November 2021, the levels of food security in Tigray have dropped, particularly in North-Western, Eastern, and Central zones. Food assistance will be required throughout 2022 across northern Ethiopia. More than 9 million people need food assistance in northern Ethiopia” (OCHA, 24.02.2022).

The war and conflict in Northern Ethiopia that started in November 2020. It is still having ripple effect and not only in the Tigray Region, but also now in Afar and Amhara regions. This shows how the warfare is affected civilians across the regions. Even as the humanitarian assistance blockade, which is last for months upon months on end.

The UN Organization, which has revised and constantly addressed the situation in Northern Ethiopia isn’t showing any positive signs of late. Neither is there any proof that the bureaucratic or closure of the hurdles, which has been inflicted on the humanitarian organizations who tries to help the civilians in need. Therefore, the Federal Government of Ethiopia haven’t acted righteous or in good faith. As this is a constant and people are starving, dying and it’s done by a man-made famine. Which the state could have stopped and this is deliberate to starve a region and now the border regions are hit with it as well. Showing the state has no issues to use the civilians as shields in their war in Ethiopia.

Just read this:

The situation in northern Ethiopia remains fragile and unpredictable. Although the overall situation in Tigray and Amhara regions continue to be relatively calm as lines of contacts remained static, armed clashes, with reported use of heavy weapons and airstrikes, continued to be reported in multiple locations in Afar Region mainly in Berhale, Erebti, Koneba, and Abala woredas, all in Kilbeti zone (Zone 2). Insecurity in Afar and earlier administrative measures, with no relief convoys reaching Tigray since mid-December, continue to affect civilian lives, their safety, restrict access to livelihoods. This situation further increases humanitarian needs notably with a continuing and growing number of displaced people and hinders humanitarian access and delivery of aid to affected areas in northern Ethiopia” (OCHA, 24.02.2022).

The current blockage of the Semera-Abala-Mekelle route has further exacerbated the flow of humanitarian supplies into Tigray, combined with the limited supplies allowed in before mid-December, mainly due to earlier administrative measures, which was already far below what is needed. Since 12 July, only 8 per cent of the 16,000 trucks with the needed humanitarian supplies entered Tigray. As a result, humanitarian operations have been further impacted and humanitarian partners continue to reduce their operations. Two out of three partners halted their school feeding program this week due to lack of supplies and cash. The third partner limited the distribution of high energy biscuits to only early childhood care and development classes in Shire area of operations in North-West Zone while sharing one pack among two or three children to adjust with the limited supplies. One partner ceased distribution of scholastic materials in Tselmati woreda in North-West Zone due to lack of fuel. Food partners reported that as of 22 February, only around 800 metric tons (MT) of food commodities remain within Tigray” (OCHA, 24.02.2022).

This just shows the dire needs in Northern Ethiopia. These are innocent civilians that is caught between the Federal Government, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and all other stakeholders in this conflict. It is all done deliberately and the people are wounded because of this. It is tragic and sinister, that this is happening for so long.

What is striking that this could have been avoided, but they are choosing to do this. This should be seen as a war-crime, as civilians and citizens are not getting their basic needs met, because the state decided to block that from happening. 9 million people needs help and they need it now. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Statement on the Current Condition of Religious and Cultural Heritages in Tigray (24.02.2022)

Ethiopia: Somali Prosperity Party (Salvation-Wing) – Press Statement (24.02.2022)

Ethiopia: Catholic Eparchy – Adigrat Tigray – Statement on the Eparchy of Adigrat in response to the Current Situation in Tigray (22.02.2022)

Ethiopia: Abiy is not done with his nonsense

There has been no negotiation yet. This does not rule out the possibility of discussions. Negotiation is a method of identifying problem-solving options. We have been betrayed while making efforts to rebuild acknowledging that the region is a part of our country. Negotiation is the upcoming all-inclusive national consultation. The Commissioners of the newly constituted National Dialogue Commission have simply been given the task of coming up with proposals; the Ethiopian people will make the final decisions” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (22.02.2022).

Prime Minister Abiy is continuing his path of non-negotiations and non-dialogue, as it is a publicity stunt, which was similar with the releases of opposition leaders of late. The Federal Government haven’t created peace or substantial change in the Republic. There isn’t a direct attack or new operations of invading the Tigray region. No, he ceased advances, but keeps the region besieged. Where he starves it out and stops humanitarian assistance. Which favours the allies of the Prime Minister and the Prosperity Party.

The Prosperity Party and allies are the ones that is holding talks. There is no real discussion or negotiation. The whole Dialogue Commission is made up of loyal cadres of the government. These will not inflict or harm the causes. They are only there to furthering the case. This is as believable as the Ministry of Peace, which has helped the war-effort.

That’s why this is interesting:

We must be cautious not to fall prey to the enemy’s scheme. We released the prisoners for three reasons: to bring lasting peace, taking into consideration the overall situation of the prisoners, and to consolidate our victory. In a war, there is no such thing as a total triumph. When one party wins a combat while the other party is momentarily defeated, this is known as temporary victory. In turn, the defeated party would resurrect and assault. As a result, true triumph necessitates victory in the realm of peace. This decision has greatly helped Ethiopia. We must not compromise on decisions for the lasting good of the country” (Abiy, 22.02.2022).

This is really striking, as the PM and his government have said early on that the “Operation Law Enforcement” was over after a month in 2020. While the warfare is still on-going in February 2022. The months of war haven’t stopped. The advances and the front-lines might have changed, but the reality is that there is no significant “cease-fire” or agreed upon end of the war between the parties. It is a prolonged affair, which has never ended. That’s because the ENDF, EDF and Fano has all failed to contain the TDF and their allies. This has humiliated Abiy, as he thought he would have a brief and quick war to consolidate power. While having trusted allies in Bahir Dar and Asmara to back him up.

We knew the political prisoners was only let out so that the African Union and the “positivity” could be held for a brief moment. As he could bash in glory with the diaspora and the AU summit. To look grand and prestigious. While other parts of the Republic is burning on a regular basis. Where fights in Oromia, Ogaden, Afar, Amhara and Tigray is happening regularly. As well, as the usage of starvation, man-made famine and humanitarian assistance blockade, which is only hurting third party citizens who happens to live in a region.

That’s why it’s unbelievable that Abiy speaks of peace and triumphs now. As the conflict hasn’t ceased and the Federal Government haven’t one. It is only continuing the suffering and the plights of millions of civilians. While he is eating good and living good in Addis Ababa.

Abiy will not compromise with anyone. He will only bushwhack them and hoodwink the international community. This man will not create peace on the benefits of the people. No, he will only create peace, if he has ensured all consolidation of power. If it wasn’t that dire. He wouldn’t have ordered the war in the first place. That’s why we know there will be no talks or sit-downs with the stakeholders of the conflict. It will continue and the dialogue will be one-sided. Because, talking to the likes of Abiy is like talking to a wall. It is an echo-chamber of hubris and a massive ego. Which will not cease to exist or stop it’s ultimate goal to be crowned the King of the Abyssinia Empire in his life time. Peace.

Ethiopia: Mass arrests of youths and activists in the Ogaden region

Arrests of civilian population continues overnight in Somali State (Ogaden). Dozens of youth & activists arrested in Degahbur town & 10 ONLF veterans arrested in Wardeer town in last 24hrs. House raids at night Increasing all over the Somali State. Public protest increasing” (Ogaden Diaspora Council, 21.02.2022).

More than 10 ONLF Ex-soldiers have been arrested in Wardher, the capital of Dollo in the Somali region. The government of Mustafa Omar has imprisoned Former ONLF Fighters and Central committee members ONLF deal in 2018 a peace agreement with the Ethiopian government” (Muhammed Abdullah Ali, 20.02.2022).

A week ago on the 15th February 2022, I wrote this start and it’s fitting one week later:

The Somali Region or the Ogaden region will be set on fire, as the Federal Government and Regional State Government will crack down in the youth and the opposition voices there. They will claim that these are trying to overthrow or a coup d’etat against Somali Region President Mustafa Omar Agjar. However, he was never elected or a representative of the people of the region. He is an unelected regional capo-regime of the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali” (Minbane, 15.02.2022).

It was just like scheduled programming and the Prosperity Party imposed government is doing exactly what we could expect in the Ogaden region or Somali Region of Ethiopia. That is very evident by the recent arrests in Ogaden. This just shows what the state does and how it cracks down on civil society, opposition and dissidents in general.

We are now seeing a clear picture and regional president Mustafa Omar Ajar is clearly doing his bidding of the Addis Ababa regime. He is serving the same sort of vicious tricks, which we have seen in other regions during the Medemer Terror era. Therefore, the acts in Ogaden follows a pattern.

Nobody should be shocked by this, but this a reflection of how the Federal Government of Ethiopia is operating these days. The same is now happening in Ogaden, as it has happened in other parts of the Federal Republic.

Now, the reports are out and the speculations earlier in the month was right. The state has now started to use all means to silence and shut down the opposition there. Peace.

Ethiopa: OCHA Report states that only 8% of needed humanitarian assistance has gotten to the Tigray region since 12 July 2021

The humanitarian response operations in northern Ethiopia remain restricted by several factors, including insecurity and bureaucratic impediments such as the inability to bring sufficient supplies, fuel, and cash to Tigray on one hand, and on the other, the high number of people in need, limited access to people in hard-to-reach areas due to insecurity, and limited presence of partners on the ground in some areas” (OCHA, 17.02.2022).

The humanitarian assistance blockade to the Tigray region in Northern Ethiopia isn’t only in words or by description of International Aid agencies. No, it is a real deal and has consequences, as the man made famine and starvation is done in such a large scale.

Just read this one here:

In Tigray, the most northern parts along the Eritrean border including some kebeles in Rama in Central Zone, Erob in Eastern Zone, and Zala Anbessa town in Eastern Zone are still inaccessible for partners with tens of thousands of people in those areas who have not received any assistance for the past few months. In Amhara, some areas bordering Tigray are still inaccessible including parts in North Gondar, Wag Hemera and North Wollo zones due to security concerns and a volatile situation depriving the population from humanitarian assistance, including from critical food distribution. Hostilities and insecurity continued to block the delivery of humanitarian supplies into Tigray by road, via Semera-Abala-Mekelle, which has not been accessible since 15 December. The current blockage of this route has further exacerbated the flow of humanitarian supplies into Tigray, as the level of the supplies that was allowed before mid-December has been far below what is needed mainly due to bureaucratic impediments.Overall, 1,339 trucks have entered the Tigray region from Semera since 12 July, which represents only 8 per cent of the required supplies needed to meet the vast scale of humanitarian needs in Tigray. An additional 17 trucks of supplies entered from Kombolcha, Amahara, to Tigray last November” (OCHA, 17.02.2022).

When you read stuff like this… it should be a worry and a concern as so many innocent lives are behind the besieged region, which the Federal Government have abandoned and left to die. That’s why all the roads are closed into the Tigray region. While the Federal Government and their allies are claiming it’s the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) who does this damage to the region. Like they haven’t been doing this since the start of the conflict in November 2020. Therefore, we know the drill and it continues.

There is now people in Amhara, Afar and 9 millions in the Tigray region who needs humanitarian assistance in regard to food and other basic necessities. That is something you need to remember. This conflict is only causing more victims and innocent civilians who are dying because of it. Plenty more who is not eating a balanced diet. Therefore, the Federal Government is just showing their sinister plans and how they want to suffocate the region.

One step at the time, one road-block and another bureaucratic hurdle to stop it from entering and getting to the ones in dire need of help. Peace.

Ethiopia: Thousands of Eritrean refugees displaced in clashes in Ethiopia’s Afar region (18.02.2022)

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

GENEVA, Switzerland, February 18, 2022 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working with the Ethiopian authorities and partners to provide emergency aid to thousands of Eritrean refugees who fled Barahle refugee camp and its environs in the Afar region after fighting engulfed the area.

Refugees who trekked the long distance to the regional capital in Semera told UNHCR staff that armed men entered the camp on 3 February, stole their belongings and occupied their homes. According to their testimonies, at least five refugees were killed and several women were kidnapped. Family members lost one another in the chaos of fleeing the camp.

So far, over 4,000 refugees are in Semera where UNHCR together with Ethiopia’s Government Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and other partners are providing immediate support with shelter, relief items, food as well as clean water. We have also set up protection desks where the most vulnerable among the refugees, including separated children and others with specific needs, are being identified and provided with support.

Around 10,000 refugees are also reported to be living in Afdera town, approximately 225 kilometers from Semera. Others are also believed to have fled towards the towns of Altefa and Dabure, further inland.

The government has identified a temporary site in Serdo town, 40 kilometers from Semera, where UNHCR, RRS and partners are making preparations in order to quickly relocate refugees.

With yet another refugee camp severely impacted, UNHCR remains extremely worried about the safety and wellbeing of thousands of Eritrean refugees caught up in the conflict.

We condemn the attack on the refugee camp and reiterate the call for cessation of hostilities to avoid further destruction and potential loss of life for refugees and Ethiopians alike, and so that much needed humanitarian assistance can reach them.

There are also large numbers of internally displaced Ethiopians in the Afar region, including some 300,000 uprooted by the recent fighting.

UNHCR will continue our efforts to support the Ethiopian government in its response to refugees and displaced populations affected by the conflict.