Ethiopia: The MoFA needs to get fact-checked

Ethiopia, the capital of Africa and the beacon of freedom for black people, is making special preparations to welcome guests who will participate in the African Union Summit in February with warm hospitality and an excellent reception. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to welcome, train, and deploy volunteer protocol cadets for various protocol duties in this program, which will create a good opportunity to showcase the positive image of our country” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs – ‘Notice Call for Volunteering Service’ 18.11.2024).

First I got to say it’s bold of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask for volunteers for the African Union Summit coming this February. That’s bold and the manner of which is done is astonishing. They should reflect on it and reconsider their approach.

The FDRE aren’t in a good space right now. The current regime is a vengeful pack and lead by a warlord. They are embroiled in conflicts which are sparking more turmoil from within. The ideals of consolidating power and annihilating enemies are creating more hostility, and less peaceful atmosphere across the Republic. Therefore, the words chosen by the MoFA is out of bound with reality.

Secondly, Addis Ababa is maybe a political hub like Brussels of Europe, but is a self-proclaimed “Capital” of the continent. That is a big word and titles just to make them look supreme.

Thirdly, the FDRE and the current Prosperity Party isn’t known for being the “beacon of freedom”. If you associate with the wrong ethnic group. You can easily get detained, tortured or even being extra judicially killed. This government can silence the press and take away all liberties under the guise of rule of law. That’s why those words are meaningless and worthless, if this government believes they are just that in 2024.

Fourth, the FDRE must take people for fools when it wants to “showcase the positive image of our country”. That’s just tinfoil hat nonsense, as it wants to band-aid and drink the kool-aid to forget all the suffering, mischief and the disingenuous ways of this government. Like a few acts of goodwill and good faith can publicly take away the misuse of power, the massacres, the destruction and the will of warfare against its own. That’s who they are and a few friendly faces in Addis Ababa won’t change the narrative.

It is really impressive that the MoFA published this “notice” and thought it was a good idea. Like we don’t know about the bloodshed and the tyranny of this current government. That we don’t know how it operates and ensures people’s early death. It is really amazing that it think it can lead people into folly and take away their brutal acts that easily. We can’t forget the dead or the ones scorn by the powers to be. Those are the ones who has to answer for their demise, their pain and suffering. This is why we can’t forget it. It was on the watch of this Prime Minister and his lackeys. They all danced, celebrated and held parties on the graves. Meanwhile the PM himself said the deceased made good soil for his green trees. So, we know where his heart remains as well.

That is the sort of character and charlatan that wants the world to believe these people are fighting for freedom, liberty and justice for all. No, it does not and it isn’t concerned about that. It is more concerned about the fragile ego of one man and his wishes to be the next crowned king. That’s who they are working for and his every whim. That’s who they are and they cannot run away from the fact now.

In the next episode we should talk about bullets and bread. That’s more fitting in regard to the FDRE. Peace.

Ethiopia: Salsay Weyane Tigray – Press Release (18.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength”: A Timeless Orwellian Lession (14.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Jawar – Government forces are profiting of the extorting the families who falls victim to the rising kidnappings in the Republic

Over the past year, alarm has been mounting over the worsening crisis of kidnappings for ransom by armed groups in Ethiopia. Although these crimes are often attributed to non-state actors, reports have also implicated government forces in colluding with various armed groups and sharing in the profits. To make matters worse, a disturbing trend has emerged: state actors are now openly justifying kidnappings for ransom. Amid ongoing civil wars, the government is increasingly relying on forced conscription to fill its ranks. Initially, the primary targets were underprivileged youth, particularly day laborers working far from their home villages. However, the focus has recently shifted to youth from wealthier families. Reports indicate that local security officials are detaining young men as they return from school or social venues and forcibly transporting them to temporary detention facilities. While the captured youth await transportation to training camps, brokers approach their families, offering to secure the release of their sons in exchange for substantial payments. These ransoms range from 100,000 to 500,000 birr, depending on the family’s wealth. Officials and brokers can easily access family income data from banks and tax records, enabling them to assess the targets  ability to pay and determine how much to demand. Those without cash on hand have been forced to borrow from friends or raise funds through their afosha (እድር). Scared of being the next victim, many young men have gone into hiding  abandoning their studies  and jobs. Perhaps driven by its financial incentives, this recent forced conscription is not limited to remote rural villages; families in major cities and towns have now become the primary targets. This is not merely based on reports from across the country—a family I personally know had to pay 300,000 birr to secure their son’s release just a few days ago. Such extortion, at a time when the cost of living has become unbearable, is cruel” (Jawar Mohammed, 12.11.2024).

This here should shake the system. It just shows what is wrong with the political landscape and how the conflicts are enforced. The Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have failed the youth and the future generations.

The current leadership haven’t secured the people or ensuring safety. That’s why militias and government forces can extort and get bribe out the ransom after they kidnap people. This is insecurity and misuse of power. They are doing it because the state allows it and see it as a profitable business. It is a sort of mafia-state and using the monopoly of violence to enforce bribes and extortion. The victims are unlucky targets and people who was to close to the sun.

The story and tale that the Mohammed Jawar is addressing shows the sinister part of the current regime. When this can be so systematic and planned efforts. This is a business and they are securing their “ends” by doing this. That’s what is happening here…

It has to be amplified and told, again and again. The state shouldn’t do this and government forces are behind it. Not only insurgent or rebels. No, this is state actors and people with connection with the state who is behind it. They are all part of the problem and the citizens are in danger as a cause of it. That’s why people are going into hiding and seeking shelter elsewhere.

This is a warning and it shows how the Medemer Terror continues to haunt the population. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) – A Response to the Second COHA Anniversary Statement by the Honorable Anthony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State Department (06.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Union of Tigrayans in North America (UTNA) – Open Letter – Second COHA Anniversary Statement (04.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Tigray Independence Party – Open letter from the Tigray Independence Party (TIP) – Concerns Regarding Misleading Statements About Internally Displaced Persons in Recent U.S. State Department Press Release (04.11.2024)

Ethiopia: Global Soceity of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – Marking the Second Anniversary of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) and Urging Its Immediate Full Implementation (04.11.2024)

Ethiopia: The ENAT Party calls the alarm on the increase of massacres in the Republic…

“It has been more than three decades since the tribal politics that our country Ethiopia is running divided our people by ethnicity and ended it without any one to say hi. The massacres that follow this have increased like never before in our country in the last five and six years and their actions are worse than the day by day. It is known by the people of our country and the international community that chose silence” (ENAT, 03.11.2024).

The opposition party, the mother party or the ENAT Party released a Press Release yesterday. As there are defaults and stories need to be published. The radio silence and normalization of the extra judicial killing of civilians in the Republic. The usage of lethal force against unarmed civilians. This is happening at a rate that is astonishing.

The ENAT Party is speaking the truth here. There is a need to tell these stories.

“The mother party has repeatedly emphasized that the power of the country should be taken out of the country and solve the problems by negotiating around the table. Therefore, it has been emphasized in the previous times that all parties should be willing and ready. In a situation where there is no interest in doing this, the mass killings committed by both sides on our innocent citizens are war crimes. When the country comes back to its senses, it should not be forgotten even for a moment that the life of every citizen lost in violence will bring accountability. Our party would like to request this opportunity to allow our poor people to get out of their problems to live until the day passes. It is believed that it was possible to prevent and prevent the massacre that happened in the district and then reduce the damage by melting it. We believe that it is foolishness to look for the criminals and ask for justice to the victims” (ENAT, 03.11.2024).

This government and authorities have failed the nation. The Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have caused more insecurity and more violence while being in office. The leadership itself has chosen the path of war and civil war instead of creating peace. They are inflicting more conflict and more insecurity in the Republic.

That ENAT Party must ring the alarm is concerning. This should have been done by the authorities and the state itself. As it is in-charge and has the supposed monopoly on violence. Because the state is supposed to ensure safety and the livelihoods of the citizens. The state is supposed to create a safe atmosphere and make it liveable. Instead, it is one of the actors and one of the agents of lethal acts. The state is by default one of the reasons why there are massacres and insecurity. The value of human life is decreasing, and the life can easily be taken for one man to consolidate power. That’s who he is…

It is tragic that is occurring and is a regular event in 2024. The massacres are too common, and people’s lives aren’t valued. The Prime Minister and his government have failed the people. That’s what is happening, and the reality is clear. This won’t be resolved anytime soon, as the state rather try to annihilate their enemies than speaking to them. Only if they can compromise or weaken them to a level that they adjust to the needs of the government. Then things will happen and be silent for moment. However, we should never trust an agreement with a warlord.

ENAT Party is speaking the truth, and it needs to said! Lives are at stake… and more people will lose their lives because of the choices the government is making. Peace.

Ethiopia: Assimba Democratic Party – Statement (31.10.2024)

There are two main ideologies that are offered as solutions to the current political crisis in Tigray.

The first is the idea that one group must win and lead as a dominant force,

The second view is that an inclusive assumption should be established that involves all political forces in consideration and outside consideration.

The first option cannot bring a lasting solution.

Because we do not have an elected government, the conflict is continued by overthrowing one group and bringing the other group to power but by involving all those who contributed to the war of extermination, whether in power or not. It is a behavior that disrupts our unity and makes us vulnerable to enemies.

Therefore, at this crucial time, the best option and lasting solution for Tigrayans should be to choose an inclusive, inclusive, second option.

Assimba Democratic Party (NDP)

October 31/2024