Ethiopia: Afar People’s Party – The Afar People’s Party Statement on the truce deal between FDRE and TPLF (26.03.2022)

The Afar People’s Party (APP) understand the Intentional humanitarian law, also know as the law of war and or law of armed conflict and how it guarantee the rights of Civilians in it’s four of Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I and II.

Therefore, APP adheres to The Humanitarian law as it intended principally for the parties to the conflict and protects every individual or category of individuals not or no longer actively involved in the conflict.

The APP is Committed to the fundamental purpose of international humanitarian law to end the suffering caused by war by protecting and assisting its victims as

far as possible.

The Afar People’s Party also understands the recent statements from federal government and Tigray regional government positively. as the first step of both sides to halt the war and it might be even clear the path to possibilities of further arrest the war permanently if handled carefully.

The Afar People’s Party is however, sceptical about the fact that both sides are not trustworthy enough. They are trying to use all their maximum capacity to isolate and neglect the main stakeholder of this agreement, the Afar People by ignoring the reality on the ground.

It’s crystal clear from federal and Tigray region’s statements, that they want to avoid the Afar People’s interest, ignoring the fact that they want to use Afar corridor as a major route to deliver humanitarian assistance to Tigray, neglecting the truth about encroachment and occupation of Afar Land by TPLF and downplaying the atrocities, violations of basic human rights and acute humanitarian crisis in Afar.

The Afar People’s Party is willing to play a positive role in the making of peace and stability in Ethiopia. Ending these reckless battles and hostilities and stop human suffering immediately and permanently while prioritizing the Afar People’s interest and collective well being of Ethiopians is our main objective.

Therefore, the Afar People’s Party calls upon:

1.The International community to understand the critical importance and role of the Afar People. The Dire humanitarian situation should be taken into account. APP requests from the international community and government to give equal & fair attention for nearly 700,000 Afar IDPs mainly women, children, & elderly people in all humaniterian aspects evicted from their homes by the terrorist TPLF forces.

2. To cooperate and deliver the badly needed humanitarian assistance smoothly, and more importantly to build more trust for further collaborations, The TPLF aggressors must ceasefire and must withdraw from Afar immediately and unconditionally . If they have real security concerns, they can deal with the federal government about it.

3.The federal and regional governments must contain the horror of this conflict through the deployment of ENDF, the hundreds of thousands of IDPs should return to their homes with peace guaranteed and life saving as well as rehabilitation programs must begin immediately.

4.The intentional community to understand that our main concern this time, is another round of conflict between Afars and federal government, if they continue the way they are handling the issue, and their systemic betrayal of Afaris self defense. We are carefully following the very smart way of the federal government trying to scape responsibility and portray the Afar people as a trouble maker and obstacle in the process of dealing with TPLF.

Afar will defend itself from any Illegal activities and will maintain its interest whilst working very genuinely and honestly to achieve mutual benefit of all parties.

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Update on the “Humanitarian Truce” (26.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Statement on HR6600 from One Amhara, Amhara Youth Association and Amhara Youth Association (25.03.2022)

Ethiopia: The Humanitarian Truce of 2022 is declared like the Ceasefire in July 2021

This is really repetitive and not going anywhere. As yesterday’s late release of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia release of the “Humanitarian Truce” without seemingly have had any dialogue or contact with the stakeholders. This is making agreements and a truce without talking to the parties involved. Only having the state working on it’s own without recognizing the other party.

We know the bureaucracy of the FDRE has made it impossible together with allies on the border regions of Tigray. These has blocked, looted and ensured that no humanitarian aid has entered. If not just drops of the vast sea of needs, which is part of the war that Tripartite Alliance has prolonged against the Tigray.

For me this is reminding the time that FDRE said they announced a ceasefire in late July 2021 after continues war since November 2020. The regional government of Tigray asked for similar in the December 2021, but then the FDRE and it’s allies wouldn’t comply to it. Now in the end of March 2022 they are announcing a Humanitarian Truce. Which haven’t been made or with direct talks between Mekelle and Addis Ababa.

Prosperity Party have not reached out to the parties in Tigray Region, Amhara Region or in Afar Region for that matter. They have only decided to do this… because there is a law and possible sanctions on the horizon from the United States. The FDRE is trying to manufacture or ensure positive publicity.

While the state haven’t opened up the utilities like water, electricity or phone-lines. Neither is any of the other bureaucratic hurdles been opened up. Unless, they have suddenly ceased their mission of oversight and needed to sign of humanitarian convoys. Which has been an issue through the whole war.

On schedule the African Union statement said this: “The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat welcomes the Declaration of an indefinite Humanitarian Truce by the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in an effort to expedite the provision of much needed humanitarian aid to people in need in the Tigray region. The Chairperson further welcomes the announcement by the Regional Government of Tigray committing to observe the said humanitarian truce, and also welcomes its declaration of an immediate cessation of hostilities” (AU, 25.03.2022).

I am pretty sure something similar was written last year. The Tigray Regional Government had some stipulations, which time will tell if the FDRE will comply. Since they have worked with a mission of annihilation and total destruction of that region. That seems to be the goal of the “Operation Law Enforcement” and the “Survival Campaign”. However, they might say otherwise, but both statements and visions of high ranking official has said similar things.

That’s why the FDRE has to do more than statements and actually talk with the stakeholders. Which is something that will humiliate and also show grace. As that is the only way out… but we have seen how the Dialogue have been done and that isn’t promising. It is only a ploy and a nice title like the Ministry of Peace, which has only been used to boost the war-effort. Therefore, the FDRE and their ministries has a job to do. The stakeholders has to be connected and build trust.

If not… this truce is as worthless as the ceasefire of last year. Which was only made to re-group and try with new offensives against the Tigray. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Statement by the Government of Tigray on Cessation of Hostilities (24.03.2022)

Ethiopa: Declaration of a Humanitarian Truce by the Government of Ethiopia (24.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front/Army (OLF/A) – State-Sanctioned Ethnic Cleansing of Oromos from Benishangul Gumuz has continued (24.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Advocacy Organizations Urge the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to Pass the Ethiopia Peace and Democracy Promotion Act (23.03.2022)

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – GSTS Denounces Threats Made Against His Holiness, Abune Mathias I, Patriarch of the EOTC and Calls for Immediate Intervention (22.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Fano is warning and preparing for another invasion of the TDF

On March 20th in Gondar, Fano held a meeting under the banner of “Fano Unity in Gondar”. The Press Release from that meeting is very clear about it’s objectives, but also reading of history. Which means the Amhara supremacy is very evident and the Amhara nationalist belief is the key asset of the Amhara Para-Military Group or Militia “Fano”. An armed group, which has been part of the tripartite alliance who invaded, conquered and massacred people in the Tigray region since November 2020.

So, in the Press Release, early on it states this: “The history of our country proves that Fano patriotism protects the dignity and freedom of our country and people by crushing the arrogant arms of foreign and domestic invaders and enemies in our country, Ethiopia. It is clear that Fano’s patriotic struggle and the demand for the rights of the youth have played a major role in reversing the tyranny of the tyrannical apartheid regime that has seized power in the country for the past 30 years. In recent months, the dictatorial regime, which has been ousted from power by the central government, has organized itself to invade the country” (A press release from Amhara Fano unity in Gondar!, 20.03.2022).

When you read a text like and with it’s pretext, it is objectively taking away the other ethnic groups and importance of those in the building of Ethiopia. As the Fano is more unique and important. That is not all of it.

The Fano is preparing even more, not only prefixing itself to the centre of history. However, it is preparing for furthering pain and suffering on Tigrayans. They are even claiming that the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) is aiming to invade again. Alas, at this very moment, the TDF is within Tigray and Afar region. They are not elsewhere. So, this can be seen as a warning from Fano. A militia and a para-military group, which was a part of “Operation Law Enforcement” and “Survival Campaign” of the state. Which is still helping to besiege and keep the Tigray under siege to this very day.

Just read this chilling text right here:

We would like to express that we are ready to work in partnership with anyone who works sincerely for the unity of Amhara Fano in Gondar for the sovereignty and security of the people, justice, respect for the interest of the country and the people, and respect of identity and title rights. Amhara Fano Unity expresses its deepest condolences to those who lost their lives, property, bodies and victims of the atrocities committed by the invading terrorists and their subordinate terrorists in Gondar. We assure you that we will fight to liberate our people who are still under the rule of enemy terrorist groups. Realizing that the enemy is preparing for another invasion, we inform you that the people and the government of our country should be ready to defeat the enemy for the last time and the Amhara Fano unity will line up with Gondar in a better position” (A press release from Amhara Fano unity in Gondar!, 20.03.2022).

This text is written by one the parties who inflicted harm, violence and genocidal affairs within Tigray region. They are calling the Tigrayan terrorists … and doing it so viciously. While they are not even an official part of the army or entity of which anybody should acknowledge. However, they are still a part of the government and the tripartite alliance. Because, both head of state’s wanted more participation in the war against Tigray. That is evident.

Now, with that in mind… they are forewarning and can use this as an excuse to kill, murder and slaughter more Tigrayans. As they are all terrorists and invaders. That is how the Amhara Fano is looking at them. This sort of rhetoric and attempts of justification is only ensuring bloodbath on behalf of the well-wishers in the Federal Government. Which is not condemning or stopping Fano from acting this way. This means they are silently supporting it.

Just to end this dangerous press release, on the recommendations states this:

We Amhara fanos are known warriors when the country and the people are in danger and we are patriots of development during peace. Therefore, we ask for development options that we can develop while guarding the borders of the country” (A press release from Amhara Fano unity in Gondar!, 20.03.2022).

They are clearly sending a message and they claiming to do the bidding of the Regional Special Forces and National Defence Force. As they are guarding and protecting the Amhara nation. This is really showing how prominent they think of themselves. Which they are even asking to be recognized, supported and one part, which I didn’t add is where Fano asked to integrated as an institution. That means it would be a state militia and official body of the state. That is what the Fano wrote in the end of the press release.

This shows the will of the nationalist and extremists of Amhara at this point. They are using the war and the conflict to enlarge their own role and place in Ethiopia. This by using military means and genocidal rhetoric to win popularity in their own regions. Instead of combatting this… the state is silently supporting it and it’s dangerous. Peace.