Ethiopian Diaspora for Research and Education Advancement through Partnership (ED-REAP): ED-REAP Calls for An Immediate Restoration of Peace and unfettered Access of Humanitarian Aid to the People of Tigray (01.01.2021)

Opinion: Mekonnen cannot whitewash the warfare in Tigray

As I write this, people in the Tigray region are enjoying the fruits of peace and tranquillity and have started to exercise their rights, such as entertaining pluralistic views regarding politics or anything else for that matter, for the first time since the change in the political dispensation two and half years ago” Demeke Mekonnen – ‘The law enforcement operation in Tigray and the media: Lessons learnt’ (01.01.2021)

This here is the first text I take from his piece as it signals what sort of text it is. Like we are supposed to believe this. When we know the struggle of electricity, rations and even humanitarian operations in the Tigray region since the 3rd November 2020. We are supposed to forget that and believe it suddenly turned into Heaven. Well, I don’t believe that all of sudden with all the tragedies and people fleeing the region to Sudan.

He dropped today the text or article ‘The law enforcement operation in Tigray and the meida: Lessons learnt” which was published in the Ethiopian Herald. I wouldn’t expect a masterpiece, but this is a puff piece and something that makes the Prime Minister proud of the effort. This is the sort of piece that is propaganda at best. There is no other way to describe it. As he knows perfectly well what’s happening and dismisses that. As his writing his piece, which makes it sound like all ills comes from elsewhere. Not like the government and allies haven’t brought pain and suffering. No, there is no consequences to the state other than pink clouds and funky rainbows on the horizon.

We know his insincerity, when he continues to spin the lie of Mai Kadra Massacre: “Ethiopians have observed how the group gradually morphed from being the ‘friends of the oppressed’ into evil incarnate during the group’s grip on power for almost three decades. However, the unwarranted strike not only took the nation by surprise but shock it to the core given the detail of the project that mercilessly butchered the unsuspected soldiers as well as hundreds of civilian people in Mai-Kadra town” (Demeke Mekonnen – ‘The law enforcement operation in Tigray and the media: Lessons learnt’ 01.01.2021 )

Because he is using the same rhetoric of earlier of the state here. Blaming the TPLF for the Mai Kadra Massacre. While refugees and citizens fleeing massacre has said Ethiopian Army together with Amhara Paramilitary group “Fano” was the ones who did the killing that day. Therefore, when its that easy to spot two lies in a text. You wonder… what else would he lie about to whitewash the events in favour of the government? Because, yes the TPLF has done wrongs in the past and been vile in government. However, right now its his army and allies who are burning villages, looting and killing civilians as they are fighting the TPLF. We are just supposed to gloss over that fact and look into the past injustice.

To further his points he states this: “Due to the inflated self-image that it has portrayed in the minds of the international community, the group wanted to sell the message that it was not a group of thugs under a ‘wanted list’ by the government but a legitimate group that can stand on equal footing with the federal government of Ethiopia and the Eritrean government. The trick seemed to have worked for a while when the international community urged and sometimes ‘pressurized’ the Ethiopian government to sit for negotiation with the criminals” (Demeke Mekonnen – ‘The law enforcement operation in Tigray and the media: Lessons learnt’ 01.01.2021).

I agree that the TPLF have been brutal and should answer for their injustice in the past. However, they didn’t do it an vacuum and the ones now professing to be the Prosperity Party have worked with the TPLF in the previous coalition government. Therefore, there is a need of independent investigations into the plights of the past and the tyranny the TPLF did in the EPRDF with all the parties and political operatives involved. However, that is never mentioned in text like these.

It is again a blatant attempt of undermining and digging the grave of the TPLF. Without stating some other minor defaults. The “legitimate” government is on an unconstitutional sixth year ahead of the polls. So, when this Federal Government went to war or “law enforcement operation” they was illegitimate, as they haven’t followed the constitutional procedure of an election. That is why this argument is flawed and easily dismissed.

Secondly, it is hard also to see a difference between the PP and TPLF in concern of thuggery. As the state is easily ordering political arrests, detaining people without warrants and even killing them. Which has no consequences, while the Federal Government talks high and mighty of rule of law. A rule of law that is every selective and not that brazen towards the ones ordering the executions and political arrests. That can be done without any hesitation. Therefore, the man should be easy calling out others as thugs, when its mob-justice delivered from the state towards its own citizens on a large scale.

Here is a truth finally: “The success of the diplomatic efforts of Ethiopia and its genuine and friendly attitude towards its neighbours has already been manifested during the recently held IGAD’s 38th Extraordinary Assembly” (Demeke Mekonnen – ‘The law enforcement operation in Tigray and the media: Lessons learnt’ 01.01.2021).

This here was successful in the eyes of Ethiopia. Since the diplomatic efforts there ensured no actions would really be taken and the conflict could continue without any influence what so ever from the neighbours. That is the initial thing here. The Prime Minister went scotch free as his ways of words and power could stop any sort of mediation or talks. That is why he sent Sudanese PM Hamdok packing as well after a few hours in Addis Ababa. This is the just the reality of it all.

We also see how the state wants people to behave by one of the final statements like this: “You can at least tweet unceasingly on the positive things of your country. You may have to prefer group efforts to individual ones to exert maximum pressure. Remember, we are now in a different time where technology is dramatically shifting the meaning and works of diplomats” (Demeke Mekonnen – ‘The law enforcement operation in Tigray and the media: Lessons learnt’ 01.01.2021).

The man wants things to be positive and a group effort. Meaning he wants the tree planting initiatives and the positive stories amplified. As that will cover up the realities on the ground. As people are supposed to be educated on social media. That’s why he continues later with this: “ The way the media portrays the federal government’s law enforcement operation and the orchestrated heinous and inimical messages of some social media trollers is a wake-up call to our Ministry” (Demeke Mekonnen – ‘The law enforcement operation in Tigray and the media: Lessons learnt’ 01.01.2021).

The media if allowed to report and not having a blackout. Where the government fact-check itself and only allows one narrative. In a state where journalists and reporters are arrested for writing certain stories. It is not the place for telling that media portraying is wrong. Maybe, the Ministry and the PP wants more control of the narratives. As they fear the truth coming out from refugees and fleeing civilians from Tigray. Even the messages from other regions where the state and law enforcement is ending people’s lives. We are not to take that into account as well, right?

Well, this was a puff piece of the finest sort. What is worse is that the man amplifies the lies of the Prime Minister. Like we are supposed to forget these details. That says it all to a person like me. Then I quickly question all the other “facts” and cannot address it wholeheartedly. As the motives are clear. He wants to shift blame as he targets social media, media, foreigners and everyone else. Who doesn’t know the reality. The reality the state want you to believe.

Because if you believed this man. Then by now the Tigray region is the Shangri-la of Ethiopia. Which I cannot believe a single second. Peace.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC): ‹‹IT DID NOT FEEL LIKE WE HAD A GOVERNMENT›› Violence & Human Rights Violations following Musician Hachalu Hundessa’s Assassination – Investigation Report – Executive Summary and Recommendations (31.12.2020)

Opinion: Abiy is living on a lie

Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy is now living on lie. He might not consider that himself. The reality is that he will sooner or later realize that. The world is slow to catch this lie. They are hopeful the “progress” and “reforms” will settle in. However, that is just smokescreen to all the devious acts in the works.

It is just like the start of all of this was the consolidation of power and the inner-circle. Where the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF), the political coalition became one party. Accept the party Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which is now deemed an “terrorist” and “illegal”. A former ally turned arch-enemy and is now fighting a brutal war since the 3rd November 2020. Where the media black-out and the murky shadows of intelligence only tells smalls stories from what is happening in the region.

Alas, the Prime Minister is more bloodthirsty, as he has allies in Eritrea. He has no trouble using para-military groups like the Amhara named “Fano” to attack civilians. The PM has even gone across the border and attacked areas within Sudanese territory. That is the sort of man he his. While there was reports of supposed questions of getting reinforcement and a brigade from South Sudan. However, that never really happened, but reports that Addis Ababa was willing. Just like they had no trouble to co-ordinate attacks on Tigray together with Asmara. This really says a lot about this man.

Prime Minister Abiy who haven’t settled or created peace. A man who is feeding the fires. There are no battles within Meketel Zone. Where the armed forces are involved and 100,000 people are internally placed. God knows who many who has died there, but expect terrible numbers.

There is still conflict in Ogaden region and even across into the Afar Region. There is also skirmishes and brutal attacks on civilians from law enforcement in Oromia. It is just like everyone can be touched and get silenced by the authorities. While the supposed “enemies” are the problem. Nevertheless, the reports later on is that government forces or law enforcement was behind the fatalities. Even the sky-rocketing numbers of political prisoners who have been detained during his reign.

The Prime Minister and the state is preparing in elections. We know it is a charade. A rubberstamping exercise only to finally “legitimize” the throne. What Abiy always wanted. The glory, the throne and become King.

The man that tricked the world. That he was coming in peace. Settling old debts and scores. Wanting to resolve matters. Now his burning villages, pillaging factories and destroying lives on a daily basis. In various of zones and regions, from Tigray to Oromia. There is no Silence of the Guns. If the African Union works on doing so. Another program to get the donors to sponsor, but not do anything about it.

The Prosperity Party and their magnificent paperwork doesn’t matter. When civilians is humiliated in the streets. When sons are arrested because of the activism of their father. Freedom and liberty in the reign of Abiy is a far-fetched ideal.

Abiy isn’t a man of peace. His an old-school warlord and a warrior. He came in a cloak of peace, but he was wearing a shirt of army-fatigue underneath. His the high-priest of rule of law, but uses that as a tool to oppress the ones who stands in his way. Everyone who crosses his path and is an adversaries will suffer.

The ones who haven’t gotten that memo haven’t seen what has happened to the leadership of the Oromo Opposition Parties and neither the TPLF. That is just a mere reality we are living in. This man will bury you or let you linger indefinitely in dungeons. As long as he gets the throne and the glory. He will let you kin burn and come with all of his forces. Just to ensure your fear and admire his army. That is who Abiy is.

This is why what is happening to the civilians across the Republic. The continued rise of fatalities. The destruction of Tigray. The severe and prolonged oppression in Oromia. God knows what is happening in Afar and Ogaden. However, don’t expect it to be godly, but be bloody. That is who these men are. They are vicious and answers with guns. These folks are not coming with dialogue or peace. That is only used for publicity and the next days the place is burning again.

Prime Minister Abiy is living on a lie. It is just a matter of time before the world catches on this too. He tricked them, but at one point or another. When enough reports and stories from fleeing victims comes to the press. That will show the world who he really is and what he does. The time of reckoning is soon there.

Sometimes the world wants to be fooled. You can fool someone once, but usually your not able to do it twice. This time around he couldn’t do the trick twice, as the guns and warfare undermines his image and his supposed “vision”. Peace.

Ethiopia: United Nations agencies deliver lifeline food assistance to 25,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray (28.12.2020)

ADDIS ABABA – Eritrean refugees in two camps in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia received a month’s worth of food supplies through a joint distribution by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Ethiopia’s Agency for Refugees and Returnee Affairs (ARRA).

In coordination with Federal authorities, a convoy of 18 trucks delivered nearly 250 metric tons of corn soya blend, grains, pulses and vegetable oil to local humanitarian partners for distribution to 13,000 Eritrean refugees in Mai Ayni camp. Another nearly 240 metric tons of food were delivered to Adi Harush refugee camp to support 12,170 refugees there. WFP, UNHCR and ARRA provided monitoring support during both distributions.

“I am pleased we were able to replenish food supplies for refugees who last received two months’ worth of food in mid-October,” said Steven Were Omamo, WFP Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia. “Refugees in these camps depend on WFP food assistance for survival, and maintaining a consistent supply is a lifeline.”

Distributions began shortly after the food reached the camps, organized by ARRA, with support from WFP and UNHCR. They were completed on 23 December 2020.

“Families, women, men, children—even new-borns—have been cut off from supplies and essential services for many weeks, so this distribution was urgently needed,” said Ann Encontre, UNHCR’s Representative in Ethiopia.

“Thanks to the smooth partnership with ARRA and WFP, we were able to provide this aid. We now need to ensure that the same can be done for the remaining camps, as well as re-establish critical protection services and ensure basic needs like shelter, access to medical care and schools as quickly as possible. Every day, every hour counts,” she said.

“I am confident that UNHCR will be able to resume its full mandate in the camps very soon,” she added.

Ethiopia: TPLF accused of the Mai Kadra Massacre – was that another lie?

The government statement said the commission’s findings confirmed that forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its Samri youth group “killed hundreds of people with full intent, a plan and preparation as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population.”“The world has once again witnessed the atrocious crimes Ethiopia has to endure meted out by the TPLF criminal clique,” read the statement issued by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office” (Addis Getachew Tadesse – ‘World must condemn TPLF’s Maikadra massacre: Ethiopia’ 25.11.2020, Anadolu Agency).

The 9th November 2020 is the day of the Mai Kadra massacre or the Maikadra massacre. Where the Prosperity Party and its allies in late November 2020 have claimed a Tigrayan Youth Group named “Samri” was behind the massacre. The killings of between 600 to 700 civilians within hours with axes, machetes and other weapons.

That was what the Federal Government claimed had happened and spread the message out. However, now the witnesses from the massacre. The ones who was able to flee to Sudan has begun to speak of what they saw. Now the story is distorted and sounds more like a government supported operation, which is horrific.

The witnesses in Sudan is now claiming an Youth Group or Militia associated with the Amhara was behind the massacre. This means the “Fano” which have been very pro-active and participating in the warfare in Tigray region. The witnesses states that the Fano was attacking and killing the people while National Army was watching nearby. That is a whole other story and is tragic in itself.

If that is true. Than the government and state officials have used a state-sponsored massacre as a “smoke-screen” to blame the TPLF. Give them an further excuse to attack and go after the TPLF. This means they are willing to create a false narrative to further escalate the reasoning behind the burning of the Tigray region.

If the state is willing to lie about an massacre. What else are they willing to lie about? We know the PM has already lied about the refugees in Sudan. The PM is willing to lie about anything to look fine and dandy. Just like he said “no civilian” causality when the government took Mekelle. We all know that is a lie too. Therefore, the man in power is very conning and has no issues doing so. While he will bitch about the media and say they are spreading wrong stories. People are just supposed to eat his lies and not call him out on it.

In concern with the Mai Kadra Massacre there is a dire need for an independent investigation into the matter. Where an association or group of experts from the outside can spell it out. The PM and Federal Government is willing to lie and use that lie. It would be weird if the refugee who was a witness would lie about what he saw. A man who gotten pained by militia and ran away from it.

I just wonder. If the state could lie about this massacre. What else can it lie about in this conflict? When he PM lies about the refugees fleeing Tigray, what else is he lying about?

I don’t have the answers, but is suspect when the state first says its TPLF and Tigrayan milita. When witnesses later says it was Fano with the army in support. That is another story completely and also show a sinister side of this government. Peace.

Ethiopia-Sudan Tensions: Second round of skirmishes at the Sudanese border

On 16th December the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and Amhara Paramilitary Group (Fano) ambushed border patrol points in and around the Jabal Abutiour inside Sudanese territory. That was reported by Sudanese authorities.

There been talks since then. This was after Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok visited Addis Ababa for a few hours holding talks with Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy on the 13th December 2020.

Therefore, the new reports of shelling of border-points. On Wednesday 23rd December 2020 Ethiopian army and same Amhara paramilitary group attacked Sudanese army points in Jebel Abu Tuyor in Eastern El Gedaref.

This is the second time in the same month the Ethiopian forces are attacking the region and creating tensions. The Sudanese is at defence and have moved more soldiers to region because of it. That is public knowledge too. As after the first attack earlier in the month. Days after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) moved troops there.

The talks seems to futile… what is really staggering that the Nations agreed on the border and the disputed area back in April 2020. The Al-Fashqa region became officially Sudanese. However, with the current warfare. Maybe Addis thinks they can annex another region too?

This here is really worrying as the escalation is furthered. The prevalence of armed forces. The true usage of armed forces to prove a point. What is also striking is how you in one minute calls the Sudanese your brothers and the nano-seconds after the positive headlines. Your forces is attacking the brothers again. Not like the Sudanese has attacked Ethiopians or crossed into Ethiopian territory here. They have only fortified areas, which is theirs.

Just to prove the tragedy. Here is two excerpts from news sources on both attacks. First 16th December and then 23rd December 2020.

Sudan’s armed forces said on Wednesday that a number of its officers had been ambushed by “Ethiopian forces and militias” during a security patrol of the border region. “During the return of our forces from combing the area around Jabal Abutiour inside our territory, they were ambushed by Ethiopian forces and militias inside Sudanese territory, as a result of which lives and equipment were lost,” the army said, adding the attack took place on Tuesday” (Asharq Al-Awsat – ‘Sudan Says Officers Ambushed by Ethiopian ‘Forces and Militias’ during Patrol’ 16.12.2020).

On Wednesday evening, Ethiopian army and militia forces shelled the site of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Jebel Abu Tuyour in eastern El Gedaref. Sudanese army forces clashed with Ethiopian reconnaissance forces near Wad Kouli” (Radio Dabanga – ‘New Ethiopian attack on Sudanese army forces in El Gedaref’ 25.12.2020).

If you see a pattern, I do. Both attacks was on a Wednesday and seems planned now. It isn’t just a coincidence that the ENDF and Fano suddenly ambush and attacks Sudanese border points. Neither is the weird outskirts of battlefields in Tigray region. No, these seems suspiciously planned. You don’t stumble on the humble a border point of a neighbouring nation.

If it was a one time thing and a boo-boo, but when you use heavy machinery and coordinate two military groups. Then it starts to seemed planned. The Sudanese better be prepared. It is like the Ethiopian authorities are testing the waters and seeing how far they can get.

While the Sudanese needs not only to fortify the area. They need to be mentally prepared. That the same folks that is hunting their own. Can easily come here for the same blood-thirst. Prime Minister Abiy isn’t a man of peace, but a warlord. That is what 2020 have told me. Peace.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Statement – Beninhangul Gumuz: Restoring Peace & Security to the Region and Situation of Persons Internally Displaced by the Attack (25.12.2020)

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – Press Release – Konzo Zone: Recurring Conflict and Human Rights Crisis (25.12.2020)

Ethiopia: Press Release by Hibir-Ethiopian Multinational Federalist Support Forces (EMFSF) – (15.12.2020)