Ethiopa: A “Superior Order” restricts medical and hospital treatment for political prisoners

Today on the 13th February 2021. After my calculation the Oromo Political Prisoners are on their 17th day of hunger strike in Kaliti Prison. There has already been reported of several of the Oromo Political Leaders in critical conditions and very weak as well. That is not shocking, considering how long this hunger strike has lasted and the body can only carry so long before it gives way.

The Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team have followed the conditions and the treatment the Oromo political prisoners have gotten. They are working on their release, but the state is keeping them behind bars.

They stated this yesterday: “Jails and prisons are full of Oromos, more than any other group in the country. Currently there are more than 50,000 Oromo political prisoners in Ethiopia. In Kaliti alone there are more than 5,000 Oromo political prisoners, constituting 90% of the nation’s entire prisoners” (Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team, 12.02.2021).

These numbers should shock anyone and be a warning about what the state does to dissidents in the region. When they can arrest and detain such vast numbers. At this scale there is injustice and impunity towards the political active who is not part of the Prosperity Party. These are the ones challenging PP in Oromia and therefore behind bars.

What is even worse is the “Superior Orders” which is blocking their freedom, liberty and ability assemble. The state is also now restricting medical treatment… that should send shock-waves and outrage, as that is a dire need after days of hunger strike.

Medical Update From Kaliti Prison:

Jawar Mohammed et al. doctors have announced today on Oromia Media Network (OMN) that they have halted providing health services to the political prisoners. They explained their decision was because they were not able to treat the prisoners at a private hospital as needed. Per court order, they were given permission to see their private doctor and hospital, yet the prison administration has not honored the court order. The prison administration said a superior order has restricted Mr. Bekele Gerba today from receiving urgent treatment at the hospital of his option. Since the prison administration is not complying with the court order, Jawar Mohammed et al. told their doctors not to come anymore. Dr. Ilili Jemal, one of the private doctors of the prisoners told OMN that from today onwards they are obliged to stop rendering health services to the political prisoners” (Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team, 12.02.2021).

This shows how far the Federal Government goes. They don’t value the lives of the political prisoners. The enemies of the state. The ones charged and behind bars. Just because they are dissidents and in opposition to the central government in Addis Ababa. That is all it takes and your rights as a citizen is revoked over night. This is why these ones are suffering and not getting the health care they need.

The state even uses a “superior order” to restrict and block doctors from helping the prisoners. That is breaches of human rights and its inhumane. This shouldn’t happen to anyone, but the Prosperity Party clearly have no issues to violate people for their political gains. Peace.

Ethiopia-Sudan Tensions: Continued clashes on Sudanese territory

It started with new skirmishes in December 2020. When there was two times skirmishes between the Sudanese and Ethiopian troops. There was even Amhara Para-Military (Fano) involved in attacks on Sudanese soil. Therefore, it seemed deliberate from the Ethiopian side to attack border-points and venture into the Al-Fashaqa region.

Now, the last 48 hours there been reported of two more incidents. First yesterday on the 9th February 2021 one more Ethiopian Soldier died inside Sudanese territory. Today on the 10th February 2021 there been reports of 5 Ethiopian Soldiers killed and one Sudanese Soldiers on Sudanese territory. It seems more like a steady planned attacks from the Ethiopian side. As the Sudanese has re-established and sent brigades to control this border towards the Tigray Region.

They have now been doing this since the 13th December 2020. It isn’t one rare incident where one soldier went astray and got lost on a adventure close to the Sudanese border. No, this has happened on a steady occurrence since then. That should strike a warning. It should also make you wonder why they are trespassing and using violent means across the borders. If the Ethiopian state have plan or even a military operation to be extended from the Law Enforcement Operation, which it started on the 4th November 2020. Since they already moved several of forces to the Northern Ethiopia for that reason alone.

That is why you can start to imagine that the leaders, the commanders-in-chief had the idea of taking more land to be greater and more powerful by doing it to someone who wasn’t prepared for the invasion. The Sudanese in transition after Al-Bashir and having erratic protests would be a fitting target for a foreign invasion. That is maybe why Prime Minister Abiy saw a reason to get back the Al-Fashaqa Region from Sudan. So, that he could access and annex a valuable farmland.

We should wonder why they are doing this and ordering such skirmishes. You can also ask yourself what it is to gain to do this. The Ethiopian government already asked to calm down and stop their operation in Tigray. While they are escalating here, which is creating a bigger international crisis. As they making enemies of their neighbours, which they are so supposed to be negotiating agreements in concern of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Yes, Ethiopia is a sovereign, but needs allies to get best deal as possible in concern to share the Nile water. Therefore, making neighbours in combat-mode. They are most likely not friendly or sharing of things with mutual interests. As they are remembering who shot at them last and it just happened to Ethiopian army.

If Abiy and his Prosperity Party thinks this is the way to get more friends. I hate to say, but you make more enemies. As you attack and try to invade other people’s land. That will end hostile and will be fatal. Just like the recent two days has proven. This sort of play will end up in no good and there is no positive silver lining. There is only death. Just like all wars, but that is what a war-lord is promoting.

A warlord that is happy to create more havoc and political crisis. Maybe he will invite Prime Minister Hamdok for another short meeting in Addis Ababa before sending him packing without any solution. Also, order a new group to attack Sudan after that meeting. Because that happened in December and could easily happened again.

It seems like this will not be over soon. The Republic’s have already started and the war-drums are hit. However, we still have to hope that peace will conquer this. Nevertheless, the warlord of Addis seems to be striking the drums, again and again. Peace.

Ethiopia: (Written By Kedir Bulo) Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team – Latest Development About Oromo Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike (10.02.2021)

Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, Hamza Borana and other Oromo political prisoners are on their 14th day of hunger strike in Kaliti prison.
As a result, Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba and Hamza Borana are very weak and can barely talk. Their health is in critical condition.
Journalist Melese Diribsa, Jawar’s former security guard Beshir and others are on their 8th day of hunger strike. They are also in critical condition.
Previously, prisoners like Bona Tibile, Arafat Abubaker, Shemsudin Taha, Dejene Tafa were all admitted to the hospital because of their deteriorated health condition following their prolonged hunger strike. In addition, this moring Soboka Kako, Alemayehu Geleta, were admitted to the hospital because of the same hunger strike related health complications. Prisoner Gutu Mulisa is also in critical condition but has not been admitted to the hospital.
The prisoners asserted that they started this hunger strike because of the worsening political condition and the derailed transition to democracy.
To list some of their grievances:
1. The population of political prisoners in Kaliti Federal Prison alone is around 5,000 and majority of them are Oromos and others who struggled and paid sacrifice to bring the recent political changes.
2. Their families and supporters are being harassed and denied access to court proceedings becuse of the yellow outfit they wear in support of the prisoners in yellow uniform.
3. A calculated move to systematically disfranchise Oromos and their demands from the upcoming election is taking place. Several Oromo Political parties are illegally cancelled from registration.
4. Oromo medias, TV station offices are closed and license suspended. Two Oromo political parties (OLF & OFC) who survived from cancellation are systematically weakened by detention of their leaders, members and supporters; closure of their offices, and restriction of movement to freely present their political programs to the public.
5. Oromo being the largest nation in Ethiopia are being denied representation in the upcoming election. Disenfranchising this group from political participation will have a very serious consequence for the political stability of the country and the horn of Africa.
Accordingly, the political prisoners put their demands as follow:
1. Release all prisoners of conscience languishing in Ethiopian jails and prisons.
2. Reverse the decision to cancel license of opposition political parties. Open opposition political parties offices (OLF, OFC and others) and allow them to operate.
3. Stop the alienation and systematic disenfranchisement of Oromo Nation from political participation in the country.
4. Opening up and widening the political space and bringing the derailed transition back to track, so that all who have vision for the betterment of Ethiopia could participate in a free and fair election.
—–
By Kedir Bulo (One of the Political Prisoners Defense Lawyer)

Eritrea: Embassy of the State of Eritrea to the United States of America – Sloppy Journalism at its Worst (08.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Release on Recent Statements of the European Union Regarding the Humanitarian Assistance Efforts of the FDR of Ethiopia in the Tigray Region (09.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Advocacy for Justice for the Oromo People – Tumsa Haqa Saba Oromo – Press Release (07.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Political Prisoners in Critical Conditions after 12 days of Hunger Strike

There is again terrible news in Kaliti prison in Ethiopia. That is where several of high ranking leaders from Oromia is lingering in jail. These opposition leaders are behind bars because they are a threat to the position of the Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy. The Ethiopian government is striking hard down, but has no evidence in their cases or with their charges.

The Oromo leadership is targeted to control the region and the political sphere ahead of the elections. That is why these leaders are behind bars. They are not there because of their work or criminal conspiracy. Their only crime is being popular opposition leaders. Now we are seeing the costs of protesting within the prison.

Here is the current report:

1. Jawar Mohammed has lost a lot of weight, become extremely weak and can barely talk. His legs have swelled and doctors fear that this could be because of damage to his kidneys.

2. Bekele Gerba has lost a lot of weight.

He can barely talk or keep his eyes open.

He is in critical condition.

3. Hamza Borana has also lost a lot of weight. He is also in critical condition.

4. Dajane Tafa was one of the 4 people that collapsed a few days ago. He remains in critical condition.

5. Of the 4 people that collapsed few days ago, two (Boona Tibile and Dawit Abdata)were given intravenous therapy.This morning Arafat Abubakar also collapsed.

6. According to doctors, Shamsadin Taha is also in critical condition. Although he was faring well compared to the other political prisoners, his condition deteriorated quickly once he developed kidney problem as a result of the hunger strike.

7. We have been unable to have access to speak to all the Oromo political prisoners on hunger strike. From the information we’ve gathered so far, all of the 20 prisoners are in critical condition. It’s difficult to say what is going to happen in the next few hours. Their lives are in great danger and we fear the worst could happen at any moment” (Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team – ‘Oromo Political Prisoners On Hunger Strike Are In A Critical Condition’ 08.02.2021).

This here should worry anyone and their lives are in danger. The body can hold a long time, but it is just a matter of time before the body gives way. That is what’s happening here and health care should step in. The Ministry of Health and Prison Services needs to come with dire help. Especially, since the political prisoners are now in critical condition. That should worry anyone.

There should be outrage and outcry, as these leaders needs help. The state needs to step in and give remedy. They need to show mercy and give them health care. They are in real danger. The state have to prove their humanity and care for their citizens, as these political prisoners are still citizens and do need help now. Peace.

Ethiopia: A Press Statement by the Oromo Action Council (OAC) – The Oromo Political Prisoners Hunger Strike: A Top Urgent Response (07.02.2021)

National Council of Eritrean Americans: Ill-Advised Statement Points to Failed Policies of the Past (07.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Joint UN-Government Tigray mission highlights humanitarian needs and path forward (06.02.2021)

ADDIS ABABA/ROME – Today, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, David Beasley, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Catherine Sozi, and the Federal Minister of Peace of the Government of Ethiopia, Muferihat Kamil, completed a joint visit to Mekelle in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, aiming to highlight the need for strong partnership to rapidly scale up a Government-led collective response to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of people in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region.

Mr. Beasley commended the emergency food assistance that the Government and partners have already provided to the people of Tigray since the onset of the crisis, reaching almost 1.7 million people with emergency food distributions. 26,000 Eritrean refugees residing in two camps have also received food and nutrition assistance.

“But we must do more, together, to meet the needs of the population,” said Mr. Beasley, noting with concern that, “Latest preliminary estimates indicate that 2.5 to 3 million people in the region require emergency food assistance. Reports indicate that the nutrition situation requires greater attention, with young children and pregnant and lactating mothers the most vulnerable.”

Minister Muferihat indicated that the Government of Ethiopia has welcomed recent positive engagements with the Government by senior UN officials, including the Under-Secretary General for Safety and Security, the High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

“To ensure that humanitarian assistance in Tigray can be expanded and intensified without delay, the Government is moving with urgency to approve requests for international staff movements into and within Tigray, “ said the Minister, adding that, “Several such requests have been approved over the past few days and the process of rapid and streamlined approvals will continue. The Government will also review visa requests for international humanitarian staff with urgency and priority. Communication capability for UN and humanitarian partners with significant operations in Tigray will be enhanced.”

Confirming the critical importance of enhanced operational presence and communication capability to allow UN agencies and humanitarian partners to scale up humanitarian interventions in Tigray, Ms. Sozi said, “These recent and anticipated developments related to staff movement approvals and communication capability will allow international agencies to design and manage operations safely and responsibly, in close partnership with the Government. This is a tremendous step forward.”

Mr. Beasley announced that WFP has accepted a request from the Government to augment the transportation capacity of the Government and partners to deliver humanitarian assistance into and within Tigray. WFP has also agreed to provide emergency food relief assistance to up to 1 million people in Tigray and launch a blanket supplementary feeding intervention to assist up to 875,000 nutritionally vulnerable children and pregnant and lactating mothers.

These agreed WFP contributions will require USD 107 million to be implemented over the coming six months in areas and communities jointly identified and prioritized with the Government based on joint assessment where feasible.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.