Ethiopia: Abiy’s War Cabinet

This week Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy announced the start of military escalation on the 3rd November. Since, then the state has gone into full gear, moving soldiers and using air-strikes in Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray state. This is all deliberate act by the Federal Government to show muscle and use force against Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) who have defied the Federal Government and even held an election in September.

The Prime Minister is now using more strength and power towards the TPLF. Even trying to muster international community to understand his reasoning for going to war. The man is using the army to silence the Tigrayan people and its leadership. The Prosperity Party is already arresting, sacking and going after the ethnic Tigrayan in civil service, army and in state owned enterprises. The PP is going on total warfare against them.

That is why the Prime Minister needs to ensure he has loyal allies who he can trust. As his battling wars on several of fronts. The PM is now ensuring he has persons he can trust in his cabinet. In the new changes,

Demeke Mekonnen will both be his deputy and the Foreign Minister.

General Birhanu Jula is appointed to the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Lieutenant General Abebaw Tadesse appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army.

Gedu Andargachew appointed as the Advisor to National Security.

Temesgen Tiruneh appointed as the Head of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS)

Demelash Gebremichael appointed as the Commissioner of the Federal Police.

These are all loyalists from either OPDO or ANDM who became the PP. He has done these changes to have a better control and consolidate power even more. To people who he trusts and knows will fight his cause.

They have created this war-cabinet and done this changes. To ensure the warfare goes as planned in Tigray. Also, most likely also have the efforts to stop possible demonstrations, protests and issues appearing in Oromia. As the state is already heavily armed, use of force and stifled dissidents in the region there as well. Even if they didn’t issue war like they have in Tigray.

Abiy is issuing war and military operations. This is why he has changed his cabinet to fit the program of war. To have his closest allies. So, that they will have his back in the middle of this. Because, the toxic behaviour will have costs and implications for the PM too. They are throwing blame and trying to forge a narrative, which isn’t true. They faked a war and now they have to live with the bloodshed. They got to live with the fleeing refugees to Sudan. There will be more effects as this prolongs. Not only losing a jet fighter, but loose life as well. There is reports of casualties on the border between Amhara and Tigray. Therefore, this is just the beginning and the first week of it.

The PM is feeling the pressure. The need to address it and the need to state his “truth” which is totally fabricated. The PP and the PM knows this, but they need to sell their story. TPLF has been wrong and been tyrants in the past. However, the tyranny right now is coming from the PP and the PM. Who is ordering air-strikes on civilians and creating a war to prove his arrogance.

The PM hope to get help to solve this and have the support system to continue this by appointing these people. So, that he has allies he can trust in the middle of warfare in Tigray. Because, that is what his doing currently. It is tragic, it is pointless and it is only done for him to prove a point. Not because its legitimate or sincere. None of this is. Only hubris and lack of integrity. Peace.

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy – Putting an End to impunity: The Case for Enforcing Federal Laws in Tigray (08.11.2020)

Ethiopia: TPLF President Debretsion Gebremichael letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa (06.11.2020)

Ethiopia: The Emperor of War [who tricked the world to believe he came in peace]

Once upon a time there was a change of Prime Minister’s. As one was stepping down after humiliation and overpowering with use of force on protesters. The new man promised reforms and dialogue. The new Prime Minister wanted to talk to all opposition and shake the hands of the enemies of the state.

The Prime Minister made agreements, signed of deals with militias, rebels, political parties and everyone else who had been seen as enemies in the past. He sat down with them and he invited back leaders from exile. Freed political leaders and journalists from prison. He made peace and negotiations with neighbours. It seemed like he would bring peace and development.

Alas, it was all a mirage. A make belief, only to buy time and get the booster of his ego. The man wanted glory, he wants everyone to worship him. His the emperor and the lord of the manor. The Prime Minister is the big-man and the one everyone has to follow. You are supposed to praise him and look at his wonders.

However, the trick of peace gave him laurels, they even gave him a Nobel Peace Prize for making cease-fire and peace with Eritrea. The man looked like he could amend and ensure peace. He even made a Ministry of Peace and appointed a man to lead it.

Nevertheless, his scruples and his hunger for power has come to the surface. As he later betrayed the ideals of what gave him praise. He started to kill protesters, arrest the ones who dissent, journalist behind bars and making political prisoners. The Prime Minister made “fake coups” to install leaders friendly to him in Amhara. The PM used a fake assassination to crack-down on opposition as well. There been so many state sponsored violence towards civilians. That has been done all across the Republic. Massacres and extra judicial killings.

The only difference now. Is that it’s all deliberate action made by the Prime Minister to use air-strikes, call the opposition terrorist, take away their powers and have already ceased co-operation with them before that. The Federal Government had already cut of ties, ceased to send government funds and suspended aid to the region. Therefore, the PM had deliberately started the fight with bureaucracy against the Tigray.

Now, he has ordered the troops and the Federal Government have taken over with an interim government of the state too. Taking over everything and dismissing the regional election in September by force, which is a further escalation. As well, as the state is going after everyone with the Tigrayan people from all parts of society. If they are in the army, police or any state affiliated organization. They will be sacked and put on leave, if not arrested. The state has gone to total war.

This is why over 3500 Tigrayan refugees has fled to Sudan within this week. The armed forces attack on the region has caused this uproar so people flee their homes. This the sort of man came in peace, but is issuing war.

Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy is a war-lord. Everything he does is a retaliation, because the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) wouldn’t follow his orders and his word. Instead, they wanted to reign on their own terms. That wasn’t acceptable. This is why he issues orders of arms, soldiers and tanks. His not seeking mediation and uses all pre-texts, even making up issues to send troops. That is the sort of man the Prime Minister is.

He prefers war, the man prefer conflict and destruction. He might build beautiful parks in Addis, but elsewhere is making schools into prisons and making fields into graveyards. With the blood of the civilians his supposed to represent. The people that he should trust and keep safe. The PM is supposed to be there for them, but instead he comes with force and take their freedoms away.

Before it was Oromia and the Oromo who was feeling the blunt force of the PM. They we’re not only getting their leaders behind bars and their activists dying in the streets. Now, the same PM is trying to bury the TPLF and the Tigrayan people.

The Emperor made it seem like he came in peace, but in reality he came in war. He wanted the idea of being a mediator, but in reality his just another war-lord. Peace.

Ethiopia: IGAD Is Concerned By Recent Development In Ethiopia (07.11.2020)

7 November 2020 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD expresses its concern on the recent development in Ethiopia, specifically the situation in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia which IGAD is following closely.

IGAD calls the Government of Ethiopia and concerned parties to show restraint, work on de-escalating the tensions and resolve their differences through dialogue and reconciliation.

IGAD and the world community are counting on the perspicacity and wisdom of the Government of Ethiopia and concerned parties to come together and make a final peaceful solution.

IGAD believes that Ethiopia has been a beacon of stability and economic development in the region and a pillar for peace and Security. Finally, IGAD is looking forward to a return of normalcy of the Country soon and will keep on following the development.

Sudan Situation Update #1: Refugee response in Sudan on alert following developments in Ethiopia (6 November 2020)

Ethiopia: Bachelet calls for de-escalation amid alarming developments in Tigray and Oromo regions (06.11.2020)

GENEVA – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday called on all relevant actors to de-escalate the volatile situation in the Ethiopian region of Tigray and to engage in an inclusive dialogue aimed at resolving grievances without resorting to violence.

“Over the past week, we have seen alarming violence erupt in the Oromia region as well as in Tigray. I urge all sides to halt the violence, to avoid additional loss of life, mass displacement and further destabilization,” Bachelet said.

“I call on all actors to engage in a genuine, inclusive and credible dialogue to solve any differences through peaceful means.”

Heavy clashes reportedly broke out on Wednesday in the northern region of Tigray between federal and regional troops, and the Federal Council declared a six-month state of emergency. The Government announced that this was in response to an alleged attack by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front on a military base. This came after months of tensions between the federal Government and the Tigray Regional State’s authorities.

The High Commissioner expressed concern about the restrictions imposed on people of Tigray, including on the rights to freedom of movement and freedom of expression. Internet connections and telephone lines have been cut since 3 November, hampering the local population’s ability to communicate and receive vital information, including about the fast-unfolding situation in their region.

“Cutting off communication has severely hampered the ability to monitor the situation on the ground, particularly the impact of the clashes in the local population,” Bachelet said. “I call on the national authorities to re-establish all basic services, including Internet and telephone connections. The right of all people to be informed and to access information is particularly vital in a crisis situation.”

Bachelet also expressed concern at reports indicating that a group of armed assailants assaulted members of the Amhara ethnic group in Wollega zone, Oromia region, on Sunday, 1 November. According to the Government, the attack resulted in the killing of 32 people. Other sources have reported that the number of casualties could be much higher.

“Unaddressed, such violence only leaves desolation, feeds revenge and leads to further intercommunal clashes and to more casualties and displacement in the country,” she said.

“I call for prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into all of these incidents and for the Government to ensure those responsible are held accountable. I also call on the federal and regional authorities to ensure protection of the population and to establish across the country the necessary social, economic, security and political measures to break the cycle of violence and foster trust among communities,” the UN High Commissioner said.

“I am confident that Ethiopians can succeed on the path to social inclusion and economic and social development with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. They can count on the support of my Office.”

Ethiopia: Office of the Prime Minister – Updates on the unfolding developments in Ethiopia (06.11.2020)

Ethiopia: Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) – press release regarding the current war in Tigray (04.11.2020)

Ethiopa: Security and Justice for Tigreans in Ethiopia – Abiy Ahmed and Esayas Afwerki Planned and Started a Joint War against the Innocent People of Tigrai (04.11.2020)