Ethiopia Media Authority: Advising to refrain from using terminologies that violate Ethiopia’s sovereign Territorial Integrity (16.07.2021)

Ethiopia Human Rights Commission (EHRC): Protect Civilians from Harassment, Arbitrary Detention and Attacks (15.07.2021)

A look into TPLF President Debretsion Gebremichael recent address

It’s been a long time since Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) President Debretsion Gebremichael have delivered any message, letter or been vocal. Now, that the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) is regaining territory and the Tripartite Alliance is now resurging new troops to combat the TDF. Therefore, what his saying in this message is important.

As there haven’t been much said or released from the leader of TPLF. That’s why we need to go into it and digest it. Since, it will show his side, character and also his stance ahead of this prolonged conflict in Northern Ethiopia. A conflict that has been on-going on the regular since early November 2020.

First he says:

Dear Ethiopian People,

Serious atrocities have been committed against the Tigrayan people by Ethiopian Defence Force, Eritrean Defence Force, Amhara regional police and militias and by foreign forces. Furthermore, in order to exterminate the people of Tigray; bullets, starvation, horrifying sexual violence and a coordinated looting of property have all been employed for the past eight months” (Debretsion Gebremichael, July 2021).

All of this has been reported, as the massacres, rape and other atrocities has been verified. The Tripartite Alliance has been behind a lot of damage, destruction and weaponized everything in the region. The blockage of all goods, food and destruction of the agricultural sector has secured a man-made famine. Which results is still unknown, but the dire hunger and distress is hitting most of the region. Just a few days ago, the Prime Minister down-played this. While the TPLF leader re-issues it again. To show that is a continuing battle and a consequence of this civil war.

He continues:

Amongst the many things that have happened for the past eight months, with a complete disregard to the constitution, is that the criminal forces have arrogantly seized Tigrayan territories through force. Despite calls for them to immediately withdraw to their origins, they are refusing, believing in their might, to relinquish their hold and have been in preparation for what would be a catastrophe. Still, we are again calling on them to leave the places they have forcefully occupied. Otherwise, as we have done the past 8 months, we will fight and reinstate our rights” (Debretsion Gebremichael, July 2021).

Here we are seeing the ironies of the conflict. That the Tripartite Alliance, the Federal Government and all of its soldiers have breached the Constitution by attacking the Tigray region. They have disregarded it. That is striking when the government of FDRE or legality of the Law Enforcement Operation was to restore “law and order”. While it has been revealed that the only mission was to destroy and weaken Tigray. As the will of the state is to consolidate power and control it by force. Instead of in co-operation and within the means of the constitution. Which the Federal Government always uses as a tool to oppress and silence its critics.

He continues to say:

The people of Tigray have never labelled any people as enemy. The people of Tigray were never an enemy to the Amhara, they are not today, nor will they ever be an enemy in the future. In spite of this, in order for those in power to maintain their power they are leading the Amhara people into grave danger. The people should therefore resist, and say lives should not be lost for the greed of power” (Debretsion Gebremichael, July 2021).

In the times of tribulations and with horrific acts done against you. Still, the TPLF leader says these words. That shows character. In the middle of the times, when Tigrayan is ethnically profiled, arrested, detained, banned from working and being part of the army. When the state is issuing orders and taking way their lands and homes. The TPLF leader says these words. As the state has created a famine in their homes. Destroyed their towns, villages and factories. The time when the state has raped, sent people to seek refuge in Sudan. Still, he said this words and he could have chosen differently.

Especially, knowing that the Amhara has annexed land. They have used the Special Forces and the Amhara militia “Fano” to participate in the war and invest in the conflict. So, saying that they don’t see the Amhara as an enemy. Really says a lot. Also, knowingly that the state calls them terrorist and criminals. That the state are using all its machinery to end them. Even with all that knowledge and all the costs of the conflict. Still, saying loud and clear that they are not enemies. That is something the Prosperity Party or the Prime Minister never could utter. He and his allies would bring the fire and the fury. They would come with insults and rebuke the ideas of reinstating the TPLF.

These words from the TPLF leader show the difference between him and the Prime Minister. It shows the manners and the attitude, which is important. The TPLF leader could have chosen different words. However, he said these things and they can be verified.

Now the TPLF leader have to prove some of them. The others have been shown and the world is yet to see it. The Tigray region is suffering and paying a huge price. Still, the TPLF and the TDF is fighting to regain it all. Time will tell, but until that’s done. We can what choices the Mekelle leadership will do. Peace.

Ethiopia: World Food Programme (WFP) – WFP response to ESAT news broadcast at 20:00hrs on 12 July 2021 (15.07.2021)

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigray Scholars (GSTS) – Urgent Call to the Ethiopian Peoples, Elders and Religious Leaders, Political Parties, Civil Societies and Intellectuals (14.07.2021)

Ethiopia: The war never ceased in Tigray – The Tripartite Alliance just needed reinforcements

The civil warfare that started in early November last year never stopped. The “unilateral ceasefire” which was announced on the 28th June 2021 was utter rubbish. The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Amhara Special Forces or Para-Military Group “Fano” never left and that¨s why the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) have fought to take back territories to this day.

The Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister can act like it ceased. However, we know with the TDF taking back Mekelle. That the TDF humiliated the Tripartite Alliance, the ENDF, Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) and “Fano”. They dismantled their forces, captured plenty of their soldiers and was able for two weeks to go into successive wins on the battlefield. That’s why the “unilateral ceasefire” happened, because the Federal State and its allies was losing ground.

Now, today the Prime Minister has called for retaliations. After the TDF is getting closer to the borders of the regional states. As it is taking back the territories the Amhara and others have annexed from the Tigray region. This is showing the acts of the state and that they had a long-term plan for this, but it has backfired as the TDF have grown in strength.

Today its revealed that the Sidama and Oromia Special Forces are now recruited as reinforcement to the continued warfare. The Prime Minister is seeking whatever brigades or armed forces he has at his disposal. Since, the war has already cost and the National Army has had heavy losses of late. The same must have happened to the Amhara Special Forces and “Fano” as well. Therefore, the brief warfare of November 2020 is still persisting.

The state is still willing to wage war and tried to besiege the region. Close it off, have a total blockade and lock it out. The Federal Government have made it hard for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid and food. As the man-made famine is still on-going. The catastrophe of the Tigray region isn’t over and the Federal Government haven’t done anything to really do it any good. They haven’t held talks or even tried to concede with the Regional Government of Tigray. Instead it has gone after it and vilified it even more. That’s why today’s statement is telling and news of reinforcement says it all.

The Tripartite alliance and its allies hadn’t given up this war. The warlords was ready for another battle and find new ways of going after the TPLF. They are trying to find new ways of propaganda and lies about their acts. So, that they can have a moral grounds for it. While the PM talks of saving children. Him and his allies had no issues targeting all woman and sexually assault them, even mass-rape them. The state had no issue causing famine and destroying people’s livelihood. The state had no issues to do what it could of looting and destruction of a region in the previous months. So, it is hard to believe that the PM wages this war to save the children of Tigray. Who is he kidding here? Who is he trying to fool? The Nobel Peace Prize committee, maybe?

Surely, the Law Enforcement Operation is still active. Now, the new fresh blood is coming from Oromia and Sidama. Don’t be shocked if previous troops who has been stationed in Somalia suddenly ends up on the border regions to Tigray. The state needs to reinforce its borders and quickly too. The ENDF already lost several thousands of soldiers as a prisoners of war (POW). Clearly, the state has to deploy other men to take their place.

TDF have shown heart and ability far beyond what the Tripartite Alliance could imagine. PM Abiy thought a few weeks and this would be a done deal. However, he didn’t know who he was fighting and neither did his allies. That’s why the “unilateral ceasefire” wasn’t about stopping the war, but changing the guards. The “ceasefire” was about buying time and finding new means to an end. Peace.

Ethiopia: Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs – Statement on the situation of Eritrean Refugees in Ethiopia (14.07.2021)

Ethiopia: Abiy’s lies is catching up with him fast

The Tigray Defence Force (TDF) has since the “unilateral ceasefire” been preoccupied with battles to continue to liberate the Tigray region. The “ceasefire” of 28th June 2021 wasn’t sincere. Since the Amhara Special Forces, Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) and Amhara Para-Military Force “Fano” have still continued to annex land. That’s why the “ceasefire” announced from the state was insincere.

Just like the whole Law Enforcement Operation wasn’t about liberating the Tigray people. Neither was it to give the general public a democratic alternative. No, it was just to consolidate all power, which has been the objective of the Prosperity Party under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. This has all been revealed since the end of June 2021.

Now we are in the middle of July and with the recent statement from the PM is very telling:

The Government of Ethiopia has paid sacrifices in declaring the ceasefire, and it was a choice made consciously to give peace a last chance. But true to its form, the TPLF chose violence to peace. It has demonstrated that it cannot survive without engaging in conflict. It has continued to use child soldiers by numbing them through drugs. The Ethiopian Defense Force is obligated to protect these kids. The ceasefire could not bear desired fruits due to people who could not appreciate the sacrifices that the Government of Ethiopia has paid for the sake of the people of Tigray” (Abiy, 14.07.2021).

What is striking here is that his blaming the TPLF. We knew that would be the case… and he wouldn’t speak the truth. That despite the ceasefire… the ENDF, the allies and such was still behind blocking everything entering the region. The humanitarian organizations has to take a longer route to Tigray region. They have to be assessed and the state got to check all humanitarian convoys there.

That’s why the TDF and the Regional Government of Tigray have to continue to fight to get their territories back. Since, the “ceasefire” was only announced, but not signed between the parties. Neither, did the Addis Ababa government anything to give back electricity, water, telephone-lines and internet. The total blockade has continued and it’s now revealed that its happening in Northern Afar region in the bordering woredas towards Tigray.

He continues:

The TPLF junta was lamenting that the Government of Ethiopia had been using starvation as a weapon of war. However, when the Federal Government declared the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire, the Junta soon forgets the famine accusations and intensified its military activities. The international community also soon forgets its pronouncements on looming famine in the Tigray region. They said nothing while the Junta recruits children as soldiers. They even tend to point fingers at the Government of Ethiopia even when the Junta makes humanitarian corridors as centers of military conflicts” (Abiy, 14.07.2021).

Here we are seeing the willing to lie and deception the PM is doing. That his government is screening anything arriving in Ethiopia. The blocking of humanitarian convoys has been done by the government and the Amhara Regional State has made it even harder for humanitarian organization to operate. That’s why the World Food Programme (WFP) finally had one convoy this week, but that shows how limited this has been. In the middle of famine and the man made efforts of the state, which have been reported by the Interim Government who fled Mekelle in the end of June 2021. So, the state that Abiy runs and his handlers was the ones saying the farming output had been destroyed and the agricultural sector was destroyed by the warfare. Therefore, this isn’t an accusation, but something his own government have verified in past!

He ends with:

The people of Ethiopia should understand that our domestic and external enemies are working in unison to sow dissent and mistrust among us. The Government urges the people of Ethiopia to stand together and continue supporting the ENDF in every way possible and defend the country’s sovereignty and reverse the threat posed by internal and external enemies of the country” (Abiy, 14.07.2021).

He speaks of dissent and again of mistrust. That coming from a leader who is willing to lie about everything. He lied about Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) involvement in the conflict. The PM was willing to lie about the demographics of the refugees from Tigray in Sudan. The same man was willing to lie about the reasons for the conflict and warfare in Tigray in the first place.

That man is speaking of mistrust and sowing dissent… that says a lot in 2021. Like we don’t remember all the other lies he has said. That is just water under the bridge and the PM’s own authorities has gone after the ones who actually have tried to report and do their jobs as journalists.

The PM is making everyone who isn’t behind him as enemies. Anyone who doesn’t support his causes and what he believes in. People are supposed to naturally believe his words and his stances. Without any questions and be praising his leadership. That’s the tragic reality here. As he uses patriotic means to destroy his own people and citizens of Tigray. That’s what’s outrageous and deserves to be pointed out.

Abiy will make everyone who is not behind him as enemies. Just like he has done with opponents, political parties and now continuing with the people of Tigray. Peace.

Ethiopia: Statement by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on the situation of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region (13.07.2021)

UNHCR calls on all parties and actors to not only comply with their international legal obligations.

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 13, 2021 – I am extremely concerned about the conditions of Eritrean refugees in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Since the outbreak of hostilities in November 2020, they have been deeply affected by the violence and insecurity that has engulfed the region. They have been caught up between warring groups, two refugee camps have been completely destroyed, and tens of thousands of Eritrean refugees were forced to flee – yet again – for their lives. We have received credible and corroborated reports of reprisal attacks, abductions, arrests, and violence meted out against Eritrean refugees for their perceived affiliation with one side or the other throughout this bloody conflict.

I have been disturbed by general criminality against refugees committed, mainly at night, by various armed actors in the Mai Aini and Adi Harush refugee camps. In the past weeks, hundreds of Eritreans have been arrested in Shire. We have sought clarity from the authorities in Mekelle and have requested access to and the immediate release of any unlawfully detained refugees and asylum seekers. We have also heard reports of other very serious allegations of violence against Eritrean refugees and have called on both the Federal Government and the Tigray Regional Government to launch formal investigations into all credible allegations.

The violence and intimidation of Eritrean refugees must stop. Refugees are civilians in need of and with the right to international protection. UNHCR calls on all parties and actors to not only comply with their international legal obligations, including the protection of civilians but also to stop using and manipulating refugees to score political points.

Our collective focus must instead be on ensuring their protection – including from violence, arrest, and abduction – and stepping up assistance to them. This means urgently constructing a safe new camp for Eritrean refugees who were previously living in the now destroyed Shimelba and Hitsats camps. It means being able to access fuel and cash to run our operations to assist refugees and the two million other displaced people in the Tigray region. It means restoring essential banking services, as well as electricity and communications networks, which are – along with security – essential to ramp up the humanitarian response. And it means opening the airports in Shire and Mekelle, as well as all land routes into Tigray from neighboring regions of Ethiopia so that humanitarians can get more help into the hands of those in need – Eritrean refugees and all other impacted civilians in Tigray.

UNHCR is scaling up its response both in the delivery of relief materials and in the deployment of more senior personnel. But protecting civilians, including Eritrean refugees, and greater efforts to facilitate the humanitarian relief effort are urgently needed by all parties.

Opinon: Abiy hopes donor aid can cover his deficit of $1.5 billion dollars

The federal government plans to get 66.8 billion Br (1.5 billion dollars at the current exchange rate) in foreign aid to finance its budget deficit for the fiscal year, projected to reach 144 billion Br. This is amidst backlash from the western world over the war in Tigray and the subsequent humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia. Parliament has passed the budget bill, unanimously, comprising 561 billion Br for the 2021/22 fiscal year, which began last week” (Addis Fortune – ‘Ethiopia Hopes for $1.5b in Foreign Aid to Finance Looming Budget Deficit’ 12.07.2021).

The Prosperity Party and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali after the failure of his policies, government actions and his inability to get positive feedback from the Western powers. Are now seeking to get $1.5 Billion U.S. Dollars in this budget year.

This is happening after the European Union come with another unfavourable resolutions. The EU has already seized aid or suspended to pay for certain programs. That has happen as a result of the warfare, which has been vicious since early November 2020. This has undercut the ideals of the donors and who they want to support.

That’s why it’s really risky of Finfinne or the Prosperity Party to seek for that amount of money. Unless, they are willing to loan from dubious sources and take out loans it cannot carry. Since, the United States and EU isn’t doling away funds for nothing. This is why the Addis Ababa government needs to redefine its goals or what they want to achieve.

Prime Minister Abiy have clearly lost his momentum and destroyed his good name. The whole “reformist” agenda isn’t for sale anymore. Neither is the belief that he will do any good. When he has done what he could destroy the Tigray region. Neither has he opened up the political space or given the media more freedom. As journalists are arrested and media houses are closed. Opposition parties are blocked from the polls and their leaders are behind bars on “political motivated” charges.

That’s why it’s really rich and naive to think that this man and his party will deliver the goods. The EU and US is in the rights to spend the taxpayers money elsewhere. Since, this government could easily spend the deficit to boost the army again and pay mercenaries to target Tigray even more.

Abiy clearly didn’t plan ahead, but went all in thinking he would be supreme. That he had consolidated all power and gotten a better relations with Asmara. Now, his in the same veins as Afewerki. These are not positive role models or showing the opportunities of the Horn of Africa.

The Prosperity Party hopes the foreign powers will bail them out. They hope someone will come and give them money without any strings. The sovereign who needed Eritrea to kill their own. Is now wondering why certain donors doesn’t want give them funds anymore. That all makes sense.

Not everyone is favours of Warlords and the ones who might kill their own to get more political power. That is not the sort of leader and sort of system that creates stability. That only creates more conflict and it could easily spiral out of control. This is why the Addis Ababa government is sanctioned and isn’t in good favours with plenty.

The bullets, the ammo and the use of force has cost. Not only has it depleted and destroyed the reputation of Abiy. It has also shown the true colours of it and that’s why they are not willing to invest in it. The current leadership needs to evaluate itself and maybe the PP needs to rethink its strategy. Since the Prime Minister and all his Yes-Men will not get monetary support for self-destruction. Even if that seems to be a deal Abiy takes every day of the week. Peace.