Ethiopia: Desperation hits the TPLF as they are detaining more political prisoners again!

Just as the releases has appeared, today and yesterday the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front with their State of Emergency and Command Post. Has again started to arrest both opposition leaders and activists. In both Oromia and in Amhara.

Also, just days ago, the state arrested again Seyoum Teshome, since the journalist is such a man, that the state fares his written word. That it might infest the public with hope and not despair.

In Bahir Dir, the state has arrested 19 political activists, because they we’re planning to form a political party, that is illegal by the State of Emergency, because all political activity is suspended. Except for the Central Government, that has for days struggled to find the next Prime Minister, as the Council of Minsters hasn’t been able to find anyone suitable or one that can be a puppet Prime Minister for the TPLF government.

In Addis Ababa. Eskinder Nega, Zelalem Workagegnehu, Temesgen Desalegn, Befeqadu Hailu, Mahlet Fantahun, Andualem Aragie, Adisu Getaneh, Woynishet Molla, Yidnekachew Addis, Fekadu Mahtemework and Tefera Tesfaye.

The reason for this that is leaked for the arrests in Addis was this: “Update: Police undergoing investigation, accused Temesgen Desalegn of killing attempt on Police officers. Police also inquired Temesgen why they haven’t requested permission to have gathering: Temesgen in response, there is no need to do that for a private gathering” (Ethiopian Press, 25.03.2018).

These arrest is happening, while the EPRDF has planned to publish more motivational quotes online, just to build up the spirit of the people. While there are detaining the voices of the people. Its is a miss-match of what they want to accomplish. Since they are not building fruitful changes, but just oppressing the people even more. Just like they did in the past. They are not trying to move forward. More going backwards, with some motivational quotes online.

Just to prove how foolish the EPRDF is this days, the state broadcaster Fana stated this yesterday: “In yesterday’s session, it also discussed on ways to address these challenges and bring about better understanding among the parties. The Council also underscored the need to protect the federal system from any threat, the statement added” (FANA BC – ‘EPRDF Council continued its meeting with sense of unity: Office’ 24.03.2018).

So because of the threat they see, they are now re-arresting the activists, writers and opposition leaders. Because they cannot do anything else.

We know now the State of Emergency is really making the state insane, they are fearing people meeting up together. Just like they have put the aggressive rules, and we know that if it is in the provinces, it is dangerous to even crash on motorcycles like in Moyale. This state makes everything spiral into a crisis. Instead of fixing things, they are creating new wounds and new battles. Not talking, not finding solutions, but silencing and oppressing the people.

That is why there are people who are dissenting in Oromia and Amhara, they are tired of being muffled by this regime, the Woyane, who doesn’t listen, but only shoots or detains. Peace.

ODM: Unpacking the Memorandum Between H.E. Raila Odinga and H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (21.03.2018)

IGAD, EU and Austrian Development Agency sign agreement on Peace and Security in Horn of Africa (23.03.2018)

South Sudan: Government Rejects ‘Wild Rumours’ of Addis Ababa Peace Boycott (21.03.2018)

South Sudan: Arech Petroleum letter to President Salva Kiir Mayardit (15.03.2018)

South Sudan: National Communication Authority – “Public Notice – Suspension of vivacell Operations” (20.03.2018)

IGAD Council of Ministers Statement on Non-Compliance by The Parties to The Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan to Its Statement of 25th January 2018 (20.03.2018)

The IGAD Council of Ministers (CoM) recalls its statement of 25th January 2018 titled “Statement on The Reports of Violations of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in the Republic of South Sudan”, regarding serious violations of cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) which called on the Government of South Sudan and SPLM-IO (RM) to undertake the necessary investigation and ensure accountability of Violators.

The Council also recalls its demand on the Parties to provide information of the responsible individual(s)/groups(s) to CTSAMM within one month from the issuance of the 25th January, 2018 Statement. However, the council notes with regrets that no party has submitted its report to CTSAMM as of the issuance of this Statement.

The council is dismayed to learn that in some parts of the Country the violations of the Agreement continued with impunity.

The failure to comply with the duty to investigate and report the accountability measures taken against perpetrators of violations of the COHA can be considered as non-compliance to Article 13 of the COHA.

The Council of Ministers, once again, calls on all the Parties to the conflict to fully observe their obligation under the COHA. It also expresses firm determination to take appropriate actions on the non-compliance to its Statement.

Issued on 20th of March 2018

Ethiopia: Wrongly blame Eritrea, its all self-destruction mode from the TPLF!

Reading in the recent hours that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) have started to blame the old adversary Eritrea. There has been skirmishes during the recent years, just like Eritrea has annexed land from Djibouti. Therefore, if it was true, it would be believable. However, I doubt that Eritrea is the reason behind the demonstrations and the protests in Oromia. That is lie from the Command Post Secretariat. They have to walk on water like Jesus before I believe that.

The TPLF and Aghazi squad is the one that is creating trouble on the Horn of Africa. The TPLF and the military forces in the provinces of Amhara and Oromia is the troublemaker. They don’t need forces from abroad to create chaos. They have done it perfectly well on their own. That is proven with the massacre in Moyale. Where total of 8500 approximately fled to Kenya. Therefore, it is not like the State of Emergency and the use of military force against civilians isn’t showing consequences across the border.

To blame this instance the Eritrean Government is a deception, as the matter in hand and the occupation troops are their own. They are the ones shooting, killing and detaining own citizens. Who is peacefully protesting, like the gasoline strike in Oromia this week. That has stopped convoys of petroleum to reach Ethiopia and the hurting of the economy that does. This is because their voice is not heard and if the security agents thinks something is happening. Like a motorcycle accident, it can turn into a massacre like in Moyale. We cannot have faith in this sort of government. Where they raid homes, throw tear-gas and kill kids who are parts protest. That has happen again and again. They don’t need outside sources for their troubles.

While Ethiopia is blaming Eritrea for the State of Emergency, they are the ones sanctioning and punishing their own public. They are using military seizure of towns, road-blocks and threats. They are limiting the voices and expressions. They are using all means to silence the ones speaking against the TPLF and EPRDF. They are pulling a blind eye on the ill-will of themselves. While not asking themselves, why these people are demonstrating in the first place. The greed for power is evident and has been for long.

They are blaming Eritrea, but they should be careful, because they are putting high stakes in Somaliland and you can wonder if they can pay the bills for their arrangements with Djibouti, with the railway and the possible pipeline. This will be proven if the Ethiopian government can carry that too. While the government might also pull strings into Somalia it cannot carry, as the relationship with Djibouti might become fragile. Therefore, the escalation of the protest and the demonstration might cost even more for TPLF.

The TPLF and EPRDF should be careful, but instead they are stirring the pot on the Horn of Africa. They are just missing to piss of Kiir and the Juba government. Saying something about Cattle Rustling from the border region. However, that has not happen, but wouldn’t be surprising. The acts of the EPRDF claiming this about the Eritrean. Is a way of washing their hands of dirt, instead of taking more responsibility for their actions against their own citizens, they claim a foreign power came in a created havoc.

The TPLF should look into itself and pound on the predicament it has put itself in. It is self-destructive, it will create a revolution that it cannot control. That because it didn’t reconcile, that was a decision it made and should regret, but the will to stay power by all means. Has been the way of this government. That is why so many political prisoners been detained, why so many innocent lives been taken by the soldiers and why so many people been hurt by the security agents. That should be shocking, but instead it is just another day in the TPLF era.

You can put blame, but that doesn’t make it real, you can make up stories, but that doesn’t make it true. It would better if you took the blame, used some of the courage of the decrees of shooting on your own population and carried the hurt on your own backs. Instead of deflecting and trying to spin it away. The only think it shows, is that your desperate for legitimacy and for making the ill actions righteous. Which isn’t a good move.

Time to step your game up, TPLF, take the courage, man-up and stand-up for the ills you have put onto others. Just because you want to be in power and rule the whole Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. It is time, to swallow your pride and show some mercy, show some accountability and not just blaze the guns. You will just be further and further down the cliff of destruction and fuel a revolution in the provinces, which you cannot hold-on too. Because there isn’t enough of you, but more of them. It is simple math. Peace.

United Nations Mission in South Sudan and Government Break Ground for South Sudan’s First Juvenile Reformatory Centre in Juba (16.03.2018)

For the first time in South Sudan, this JRC will allow 90 children in conflict with the law to be safely and securely housed.

JUBA, South Sudan, March 16, 2018 – Today (March 15, 2018), the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mr. Moustapha Soumaré, and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Michael Chienjiek Geay, broke the ground to establish South Sudan’s first Juvenile Reformatory Centre (JRC) in Juba. This project is part of ongoing technical cooperation between the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the National Prisons Service of South Sudan (NPSSS). The project will result in the conversion, renovation, and refurbishment of one of Juba Central Prison’s buildings into a fully functioning JRC. The project will be implemented by the South Sudanese NGO, Charity Aid for Development and Emergency (CADE).

For the first time in South Sudan, this JRC will allow 90 children in conflict with the law to be safely and securely housed—separate from adult offenders—while awaiting trial or serving their sentences. Providing a separate living environment for children not only complies with international best practices, but also provides a more conducive environment for children to receive the support necessary to successfully reintegrate into society.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Soumaré stated that UNMISS’ Rule of Law and Child Protection Units “stand ready to partner with the government and the NPSSS to address issues related to juvenile detention and rehabilitation”. He also promised UNMISS’ support to continue advocating for much-needed vocational skills and education training programmes that will assist the children to fully reintegrate into society. Mr. Soumaré hoped that establishing this facility in Juba will serve as a model that can be replicated to serve other children in conflict with the law in other parts of the country.

As well as establishing this JRC, UNMISS’ collaboration with NPSSS includes the recent launch of a pilot project to review prolonged and arbitrary detention cases in Juba Central Prison. This project can be replicated in other prisons throughout the country to reduce cases of prolonged and arbitrary detention. In addition, UNMISS Rule of Law Unit is providing technical assistance to justice sector partners to develop legal reforms to reduce the number of persons in detention, including through exploring alternatives to detention.

South Sudan: Hon. Stephen Dhieu Dau Ayik – Congratulatory Message to Salvatore Garang Mabiordit (15.03.2018)