
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dina Mufti: “This is simply a diversionary tactic and they want to divert the attention of the government and the Ethiopian people from what they are doing,” he underscored. Emphasizing that the government never targets civilians, Dina said “Tigryans are our people. We take care of them, and targeting civilians is not in the interest of the government. But the junta elements should be hunted down and brought to justice.” (Ethiopian News Agency – ‘Airstrike Report on Civilians in Tigray Fabricated, Diversionary Tactic: Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 24.06.2021).
It is strange that reporting on a initial bombing is being told as a diversion tactic by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) in concern of the victims and the fatalities of their own citizens in Tigray Region. They are together with the Tripartite Alliance in the continued warfare in the region. This is disgraceful … and they will use this tactic in the times to come.
They want positive headlines, but not reporting on their acts in Tigray. They want blind praise and speeches of grandeur. That the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister is the second coming of Christ. This is what they want, but that isn’t a gift you get automatically.
The aerial bombing of the Togoga market is a horrific act and a crime against humanity. However, there been so many massacres since early November 2020. That this is just following of their actions there. It is tragic, but at this current day. Lives are cheap and not valued by the state. As the warfare that was only supposed to last for a few weeks, but is still on-going.
Here is official statements on how the state addressed the Togoga market bombing…
The International Committee of the Red Cross statement on the 23rd June 2021:
“The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helped facilitate medical evacuation of wounded people by the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) from Togoga village, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The operation was conducted in coordination with all relevant parties. The wounded were transported in ERCS ambulances and are now receiving medical treatment in Ayder Referral hospital in Mekelle. “We will always support Movement partners in the provision of life-saving services to people affected by conflict and violence,” said Nicolas Von Arx, ICRC’s Head of delegation in Addis Ababa. “We cannot stress enough how vital it is for the medical mission to be respected and protected at all times.”” (ICRC – ‘ICRC facilitates medical evacuation of wounded people from Togoga village in Tigray’ 23.06.2021).
A statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:
“(New York, 23 June 2021): I am deeply disturbed by reports of bombing yesterday that killed and wounded civilians in a market in Togoga, Tigray. I am equally alarmed by reports of armed forces blocking roads and preventing ambulances from evacuating the wounded for medical treatment. I extend my sincere condolences to the victims’ families and community. All parties to the conflict must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. Attacks directed against civilians and indiscriminate attacks are prohibited, and all parties must take constant care to spare civilians throughout military operations. The wounded must receive, to the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay, the medical care and attention they need” (OCHA – ‘Statement by Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham, on Tigray’ 23.06.2021).
That the government calls this a diversion is a insult to all the people who was touched, hurt and died in this attack of that market that day. They deserve a government shielding them from war and keeping them safe. Not a government who has ordered the war, use their allies and trying to keep the initial acts of the warfare hidden from the world. Because, that is what the Ethiopian government have tried for months to do. Now they hope to pin the ones reporting it as a tactic to look away from its achievements and what it has accomplished recently.
However, the Spokesperson says they haven’t hurt civilians and that has been excuse from the get-go. Just like the Prime Minister said not a single civilian was killed during the first siege of Mekelle in November 2020 well. We have seen this before and it’s tragic. That the government isn’t doing it’s duty, but using a blame-game.
There are even reports of the soldiers blocking the hurt, the dying civilians from getting medical treatment or health care in Mekelle. As they were blocked while passing though road-blocks. That just shows how insincere this government is and what they are willing to say. This has to be remembered in the other lies from the same state. That has lied about so many factors in this war and it continues to spew out falsehoods. While civilians and innocent citizens are dying, because one man wanted to consolidate all power in Addis Ababa. Peace.















