Ethiopia: Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA) – OLLAA calls for justice and independent investigation after video shows civilians being burned alive in Benishangul-Gumuz (14.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Abiy ran his own election as the Prosperity Party President and Won!

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reiterated a call for Meddemer (Synergy) for the realization of prosperous Ethiopia upon his election as president of the party. “I am absolutely sure that Ethiopia will prosper if you come together under the umbrella of Medemer” he underscored” (Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘Prosperity Party Elects Dr. Abiy Ahmed As President’ 12.03.2022).

There has been released on social media a two minute video-clip of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali own election to become a Party President in the Prosperity Party. This is the first delegate conference of the ruling party under his reign. It is clear that his words is law by now.

What is striking by the clip released from the conference yesterday. Shows that him as the leader was the one enforcing the polls. Announcing his candidacy and asking for others to challenge him. While seeing if the crowd and the delegates had the balls to contest him. He knew nobody would do that directly and his the unchallenged leader of the Prosperity Party. Therefore, it is really compelling what his says, as he gets elected.

It was live on ETV, which is the rebranded Ethiopian Broadcasting Company (EBC). The state broadcaster was sending it live and uncut. Thanks to someone who wanted to show the disgraceful way the PM became Party President. A person did translate the speech to show foolish it was. Remember this is a head of state and Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE). Not just some run of the mill, knob-head who is high on their own supply. No, this is supposed to be a leader of men and a respected reformer.

This is how he sounded like… right before he was elected by the delegates raising their hands.

Prime Minister Abiy before the voting:

Any other person that seconds Abiy as a candidate for President? I meant who supports the proposed candidacy[of Abiy]? Not like that. (Some started to raise up their hands) By speaking out [about me]. OK. Good. There are many people who second. Now, let me give you chance to a person who says: “Abiy has lead Prosperity [Party] for last 4 years, it is enough and we need a better person to lead this Party and Ethiopia? (hahahaha) Be Quite. There are many observing these elections. It should be democratic. If anyone has such [crazy] idea, we should be ready to listen. If there is any person who says Abiy should not be a candidate, let us give him a chance. If not by speaking, anyone who wants oppose [my candidacy] can also raise a hand, no problem, BIG SMILE… Anyone who opposes [my candidacy]? This is my last call. Any opposition? OK. Now, those who support Abiy’s candidacy, show me by raising your hands. I believe there is at least one-third support… [hahahaha]” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (12.03.2022).

If you believe this sort of character and leader is fit. Do you… but he doesn’t seem reasonable. That a man does this and makes himself so superior. It says a lot. The Prosperity Party proves it doesn’t value democracy or proper procedure of elections. When they let the man who is the main candidate get to lead his own poll. That is what he did and it was live on ETV. Not just hearsay, but on National TV.

Anyone who reads that speech and words from Abiy should be shocked, but it just show his character and that nobody is reigning him in. His allowed to do whatever he likes and it doesn’t have consequences. That is evident. As the delegates was just waiting to raise their hands. They even started to early and he told them not to do that. Peace.

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front/Army (OLF/OLA) – The Ruling PP is Responsible for Barbaric Acts of Setting Human Brins Ablaze Alive (12.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Statement on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Statement During the 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (10.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – OLF Considers the March 8 International Women’s Day as a significant Historcal Event and denonunce the Human Rights violations against Women in Ethiopia (08.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Statement on the Appointment of Members of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (07.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – Regarding Continued Accusations of Atrocities Against the OLA (05.03.2022)

Ethiopia: Afar Revolutionary Party – Tigray Terrorist Criminals Continue to Commit Genocide and Ethinic Cleansing in Afar Region – Ethiopia (28.02.2022)

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Statement on the Continuing Suspension of Humanitarian Aid Delivery into Tigray (28.02.2022)

Ethiopia: Urgent appeal to the International Community by Afar People’s Party (27.02.2022)

In Ethiopia, the Afar Regional State is neighboring to Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions, while internationally bordering to Djibouti and Eritrea. This geopolitically important region that predominantly inhabited by indigenous Afar pastoralist is now exposed to unimaginable scale of grievances and humanitarian calamities due to the invasion of Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) and its military forces.

The first unprovoked invasion of Afar region by TPLF began in mid-July 2021 occupying the central Afar zone (Zone 4) leaving hundreds of thousands displaced, infrastructures destroyed, domestic animals were raided and mass-killed by heavy artilleries, schools and health facilities are looted and burned down to the ground . Civilian causalities in this attack are much underreported given the majority of the victims are pastoralists without civil registration system.

However, the heinous bloodbath occurred on 5 August 2021 in Gaalikooma kebele of Gulina district in Zone 4, where more than 280 displaced families temporarily sheltered-in health and a school facilities bombarded by heavy artilleries of Tigary forces. The victims of this barbaric act were children, women and elderly IDPs. This act of terror was reported by the press statement of UNICEF.

In September 2021, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported about the prevailing atmosphere of fear, and deterioration of living conditions and gross violations of human rights that resulted in the forced displacement and suffering of the civilian population.

The second aggression of TPLF on Afar started on 24 Jan 2022; one month just after the TPLF announced its troops withdrawal from both the Afar and Amhara regions. Since then residents of Aba’ala, Magale, Erebti, Barahle and Konnaba are enduring the harshest period. This second unprovoked and systematic offensive has created a wave of civilian displacement and a mass exodus of population exposing them to hunger and thirst in desert landscape.

Moreover, a systematic destruction of health facilities, looting and burning of food stores and warehouses for essential medicines, confiscations of domestic animals and plundering of small business has disrupted the livelihood of Afar people. Hence, the entire region is facing famine like situation. Similarly there is a growing challenge with regard to deteriorating health conditions of IDPs (Internally Displaced People) where essential medicines are inaccessible.

The magnitude of infrastructure destruction and human suffering as well as crime against humanity in Afar region is unfolding in daily bases. Afar people are now a nation going through a trauma, while both the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the International Community stays silent to what is happening.

It is important to recall that the Afar People’s Party (APP) has decided not to Participate in the process of National Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission; due to it’s exclusiveness , lack of transparency and huge and direct influence and involvement of Federal Government.

We reject any exclusive,non-pariticipatory bilateral deals or negotiations of both TPLF and GoE while A deadly war is still taking place in Afar and the northern part of Afar region is under the occupation of TPLF.

APP demands a total withdrawal of TPLF forces from the Afar region and stops any conflict in order to initiate a genuine dialogue and lasting peace. APP calls up on the Federal Government of Ethiopia to ensure the inclusiveness of the dialogue by inviting all stakeholders including the opposition political parties.

Afar People’s Party is a legally registered political party that has been chairing the Ethiopian Political Parities Joint Council and participated in national election 2021.

Afar People’s Party calls up on:

1. The International Community to address the humanitarian crisis taking place in Northern part of Afar Region with urgent humanitarian assistance;

2. International community to pressure TPLF to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from Afar Regional State and respect the constitutional sovereignty of Afar Regional State;

3. The Federal Government of Ethiopia to ensure the protection and safety of its citizens, by showing a clear and open terms and conditions of ceasefire, humanitarian access to all those in need and withdrawal of occupying forces;

4. The Federal Government of Ethiopia to revisit the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission; it’s independence , it’s all inclusivity and transparency of it’s process, due to the fact that we believe the process is as equally important as the anticipated outcome;

5. The Afar Regional Government to clearly follow up and update both media and the general public on current crisis in the region;

6. Human Rights bodies to investigate the war crimes committed by TPLF during its occupation in Afar regional State ;

7. The International Community to support the devastated social and economic infrastructures as well as the livelihood of pastoralists deliberately destroyed by the invading Tigray forces.

Afar People’s Party

Samara, February 27, 2022