Ethiopia: Media Authority Warning letters to the CNN, BBC, Reuters & AP (19.11.2021)

IGAD and FAO Call for Urgent Actions to Mitigate the Impacts of Drought Across the Horn of Africa (18.11.2021)

A joint statement by the IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu and the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa, Dr Chimimba David Phiri.

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 18, 2021 – Vulnerable communities in the IGAD region continue to experience a complex mix of re-enforcing shocks and stresses that are eroding their resilience to food and nutrition insecurity. As of October 2021, 26 million people were already facing high levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+), according to the Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG), which is co-chaired by the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Due to the threat of worsening drought conditions, food insecurity will likely rise during the first half of 2022 across the Horn of Africa. Urgent action is therefore required now to safeguard livelihoods, save lives, and prevent possible starvation in some areas.

Drought conditions are already affecting the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya, southern and central Somalia, and Belg-receiving areas of southern and south-eastern Ethiopia as consecutive poor rainfall seasons have driven below-average crop production, rising cereal prices, poor rangeland conditions, reduced livestock production, and drought-related  animal deaths in many areas.

Moreover, as forecast by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), the start of the current October-December 2021 rainy season has been significantly delayed, with little to no rainfall observed to date in many areas, raising the probability of another poor season. Should this occur, agricultural and pastoral conditions will further deteriorate, causing households already struggling with the effects of multiple, concurrent hazards (climate variability, conflict, COVID-19, and desert locusts) to employ negative coping strategies and reduce their food consumption. This is a major source of concern as food insecurity in the region has historically increased sharply following consecutive poor rainfall seasons.

IGAD Member States continue to work in collaboration with development partners to anticipate and respond to various food security threats and build the resilience of vulnerable communities to recurrent threats and crises. During the desert locust upsurge, for example, the unparalleled support of resource partners and multi-agency coordination averted USD 1.3 billion worth of cereal losses, meeting the cereal requirements of 29.1 million people. Desert locust livelihood recovery support continues for more than 200 000 households.

IGAD and FAO share a long-standing history of successful partnership and collaboration in building the region’s resilience in several areas, including but not limited to: livelihood support to strengthen resilience against droughts; food security information and analysis; early warning and disaster risk management; implementation of cross border actions in close collaboration with the respective communities, local and national authorities; conflict prevention; natural resource management; market access and trade; and capacity building; institutional strengthening and coordination through the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI).

Such resilience-building efforts have significantly improved the ability of households to withstand the impacts of shocks. However, the increased frequency of climatic hazards, combined with the effects of other stressors, is threatening these hard-won gains. It is, therefore, crucial to act now to protect these resilience gains and prevent more people from sliding into food insecurity and malnutrition.

To this end, we must support farmers and herders who are experiencing the impacts of poor harvests, depleted food and animal feedstock, and rising food and water prices. More specifically, IGAD and FAO call for a scale-up of contributions to existing and future Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) as the response remains grossly underfunded in the relevant countries. Through rapid, collaborative action by all actors, we can safeguard the lives and livelihoods of communities currently bearing the worsening effects of the drought, while at the same time, protecting households’ longer-term resilience.

Ethiopia: FAA Background Information Regarding U.S. Civil Aviation – Addis Ababa Flight Information Region (17.11.2021)

Opinion: PP have become PFDJ’s lackey

As their saying goes “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”, their interference on others’ sovereign issues is with clear but rarely said intentions: intention to sell arms; intention to loot national wealth; intention to endorse ideology; intention to keep hegemonic status” (Prosperity Party, 17.11.2021).

At this very moment and time, the ones in power and appointees of the Addis Ababa regime. They are busy undermining anyone questioning their actions or resolve. Nobody is supposed to question or even say anything. They are interfering and acting with vicious ideas. They are helping terrorists and participating in the destruction of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. That is the common message in Ethiopia this days.

It doesn’t matter if it is administrators, mayors, ambassadors or anyone of prominence is all discrediting the United Nations, Humanitarian Organizations, Foreign Companies and everyone with a pulse, which isn’t directly part of the FDRE war effort. That is how things seems these days.

This is the voice and the rhetoric of the Prosperity Party. The party of which reforms and a grand future was bestowed on the FDRE. Nevertheless, by the messages of a “Survival Campaign” and going after anyone who isn’t part of the team.

The same party allows to violated by and work in-coordination with the Eritrean government. The People’s Front for Democracy and Justice has been a very close ally of the Prosperity Party. They have now served in the same war and sent soldiers to it. The PFDJ have sent agents, spies and other actors to work on the behest of the Addis Ababa regime. They are clearly scheming together and the PP isn’t saying anything about this.

They are just questioning the West and everyone who isn’t speaking like them. Since, the beginning of the war. The PP and the FDRE have tried to control the narratives and the spin of war. They have had own “Fact-Checking” programme, as well, as hoping everyone is just reprinting the stories of the government friendly presses. If you don¨t and you leak the wrong the data. You can expect to be arrested or suspended. Even making articles out of Facebook posts of government high-ranking officials can cost a journalist dearly. Therefore, there is no way to win as the goal-post always changes.

The PP and PFDJ are bedfellows. Abiy and Afewerki is the creators of this. The PP wants to follow suit and be as vigilantly towards the rest of world. However, doing that costs and it has consequences. You can scream about being sovereign, but the same government pleaded to save AGOA. The same government is now asking to save Eritrea from further sanctions of the U.S. Treasury. While they are lucky… themselves are not caught up in the targeted sanctions.

The PP is accepting the interference of PFDJ and get violated on the daily by their soldiers. That is what they have done over the last year. There is clear reports and indications of what they have been up-to. It’s not just hearsay at this point. We don’t know the full scale of it, but it is despicable and genocidal. Therefore, the ones who was participating in this has to be held accountable. Their time is coming and we can wonder… when and what point of time it will be. Most likely will be when the pendulum of power has changed.

So, I cannot take it serious when PP speaks of being sovereign and of interference. They have had enough interference and gotten foreign support of their warfare since November 2020. The PP can act different, but that’s insincere and a lie. We know what you did and when the smoke dies down. When the documents leaks and the stories gets told. We will know what went down, as you imported, hired mechanics and whatnot to win. We just know about some drones and minor details. However, most likely the PP have tried to get whatever it could to have an advantage in the war. That’s why at one point, the FDRE was asked to hire army brigades from South Sudan. Therefore, PP needs to revaluate itself and only the fools eats these messages as facts. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – Urgent Alert on the Mass Incarceration, Summary Execution of Tigrayan Civilians and Escalating Genocidal Rhetoric in Ethiopia (16.11.2021)

Ethiopia: Conflicting reports, but the TDF is far from Mille in Afar region

There is rumours and speculations, also lots of fake news circulating. That’s why I have stated that the TDF is advancing and unconfirmed reports of territory taken either by the Tigray Defense Force or Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). Since, trustworthy sources and credible reports is hard to go by. As well, as the round-up of civilians of both ethnicities combined with communications blockades in the zones of conflict. Doesn’t make it easier to access any information.

Not like the Afar Regional State Office is busy updating the general public. They are not active like the Addis Ababa state information desk or Amhara Communications for that matter. The Afar region is less accessible and therefore, the news from the scars.

However, after reflect and checking for 48 hours. The TDF is still fighting hard to gain territory in Chifra area and around Bati. That is far from Mille and the strategic town, which closes the A1 Highway, which is vital for the imports to the land-lock Republic and the port of Djibouti is where most of the trucks goes through.

To take Mille would be a victory and a way of besieging Addis Ababa without being close. As it closes international transports of trucks. This could stop the imports and the exports from Djibouti. That would hurt the economy can could cause massive damage to the Federal Government. This is why the TDF and their allies wants to claim control of it early. Everyone with a brain understands that.

Even in Mid-July 2021 there was reports that this main-cargo was a target for the TDF. We are now in Mid-November 2021 and after months of fighting. The battles for this far from over it seems. As this would be a important victory and a symbolic one too.

We know the state has used the Afar Regional Special Forces and the Republican Guards has participated in the defence of the region. While these has not only to defend against the TDF. They have also been attacked from the opposite side by the Issa-Somali militia from Djibouti. Therefore, they have been strategic about their combats and stopped them in their tracks here.

The ones wanting the war quickly over wants Mille to be taken quickly. That’s because of the cargo and the damage it does to the Federal Democratic Republic. While some says it would be done to open the siege of the Tigray region itself and let UN convoys actually able to get in. However, none of these things can be verified, but is mere speculations as we speak. Nevertheless, the taking of Mille would cost a lot for the ruling government and the national army. That’s why they are defending it with such importance.

So, today on the 15th November 2021. The TDF is attacking Afar region in two parts. This is happening in Chifra area and in the Bati Area. It is hard to know anywhere else and how it is going. However, by all estimations and reports. The TDF is far away from Mille for now. They might get there and wanting to achieve that. Still, it is far from over and they have lots of land to pass to get there. Peace.

Ethiopia: Coalition of Eritrean Canadian Communities and Organizations (CECCO) & National Council of Eritrean Americans (NCEA) – U.S. Sanctions Undermine Eritrea’s Right to Self-Defense and infringe on Ethiopia’s Sovereignty (14.11.2021)

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Press Release on Ethiopia’s MFA Statement on the U.S. Government sanctions imposed on the Eritrean Government (14.11.2021)

Opinion: Obasanjo has an unforgiving mission in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 21, 2016 – Some of Africa’s leaders are responsible for instability on the continent because they have failed to manage diversity in their societies, the former Nigerian President, General Olusegun Obasanjo, has said” (TANA Forum – ‘Press Statement: “Some African leaders to blame for conflicts” – Obasanjo’ 21.03.2016).

Today Olusegun Obasanjo as the Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union for the Horn of Africa. One of his key objectives and mandate is to mediate in the Ethiopian conflict. Alas, he has a mountain to climb and it’s an unforgiving job. This is a position and a office, which isn’t for the kind-hearted. Since, the parties here are in the trenches and in a brutal war. They are not in this for a small token or to get global recognition.

Obasanjo is now meddling and intervening within a battle, which has become broader and wider than what the Tripartite Alliance anticipated. The alliance of FDRE, SOE and Amhara allies didn’t anticipate the formation of a broad alliance of nationalities to combat the Tripartite Alliance. Therefore, at this point, the war isn’t only Addis Ababa-Asmara versus Mekelle. No, it is much more wider and with the objective of rectifying the leadership structure of the nation.

This is why the African Union (AU) is late here and the talks is only stalling things. The mediator can drop a statement saying today: “I am optimistic that common ground towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict can be secured. The interlocutors I have engaged on all sides have stated their wish for peace, security, and stability in Ethiopia. The main point of difference between the actors is in the means by which they seek to achieve this essential objective. War represents a failure of politics. Thus dialogue remains the only reliable and sustainable avenue to peace. There is no military solution to the conflict and battlefield victory cannot guarantee political stability in Ethiopia. I, therefore, appeal to the leadership of all sides to halt their military offensives. This will allow an opportunity for dialogue to continue to progress. Such talks cannot deliver in an environment of escalated military hostilities” (African Union – ‘Statement on the Prospects for Peace in Ethiopia by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo High representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the Horn of Africa’ 14.11.2021).

It is like Obasanjo haven’t learned from his own experience. Just 5 years ago as a Tana Forum speaker or delegate. He spoke of the reason why we are seeing a war within Ethiopia today. The diversity and marginalization of certain groups is the reason for the conflict in Ethiopia. That’s because one man wanted to consolidate all power and use old grievances to settle it. He wanted to overcome the TPLF and by doing so hurt the Tigrayan ethnic group. This he got done by getting allies who has suffered, because of the leadership in Mekelle.

Deep down, I think Obasanjo know the difference and the difficulties here. The parties are not willing to really talk. These are just cordial meetings to buy time. We know the United Front against Prosperity Party is running towards Addis Ababa. This is just common knowledge as they are aiming to use arms to change the leadership. They are not trusting or having faith in negotiations. That’s why the former President is to hopeful in this manner.

I don’t see Abiy or Afewerki talking to Debretsion. I wish I could, but these have already vilified and gone total genocide on the enemy. They are arresting people for being associated or allegedly associated with either Tigray Defence Force (TDF) or Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). Therefore, seeing them talking or having a meeting seems unlikely. If the TPLF/OLF went to talk. I would be worried of arrests and authorities surrounding the venue. This is why the hope is very dishonest at this moment of time.

The talks Obasanjo was maybe positive and had a good vibe. However, those vibes will not change the matters on the ground. As the FDRE is going into a “survival campaign” mode and the TDF-OLA is slowly advancing towards their target. This is not a time or a moment of thinking these will give way. No party will earn on it and that would only salvage the reign of Abiy. A ruler, which is a warlord and someone who many wants gone. Therefore, if Obasanjo wants to save his term or if he wants peace. That is two difference objectives….

I don’t see the hope or the possibilities of quick or brief ceasing of military operations. That means an unilateral ceasefire, which means all parties would silence their guns. The Tripartite Alliance never did that and only played the facade of that. While they we’re still annexing Western Tigray and besieging the rest of Tigray region. Therefore, Obasanjo is too positive or naive. I doubt any of the parties will give way. These parties will fight to the death or until they have to go to exile. Peace.

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Statement on the US Government Sanctions Imposed on the Eritrean Government (13.11.2021)