Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Briefing from the National Government of Tigray (23.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Statement from Salsay Weyane Tigay on the ongoing Genocide on Tigrayans (23.08.2021)

Opinion: Abiy’s National Dialogue is a scheme to get donor funds for the war-effort

It has now revealed that there is a plan for a National Dialogue in Ethiopia in September 2021. However, the premise and the whole scheme behind it isn’t believable. Because, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have burned all bridges with all the opposition and dissidents. He has either designated them to exile, detained indefinitely, charged with terrorism or killed them. That is what he does and this is why it’s not something to have faith in.

I have the same feeling as I had with the fake and bogus Grand National Dialogue in Cameroon of 2019. When President Paul Biya and his cadres called for a Conference and Consultations to move things ahead. Where Biya and his astute handlers all cheered and clapped for the magnificent display. However, it didn’t resolve anything or be a legit session of dialogue. As it was an one-sided affair where Biya’s men was in control and the opposition in the conflict was practically shunned.

In Burundi before this you had the Inter-Burundian Dialogue that was set-up after the General Election of 2015. When the East African Community (EAC) held an extra-ordinary summit in 2016. This lasted until May 2021, but haven’t been functioning in ages. While Pierre Nkurunziza was alive and the head of state. He muffled and assured the facilitator Benjamin Mpaka in such a way. That he was directed who could participate and when to invite the various parties in the conflict and crisis. Therefore, this was bound to fail and done so deliberately, as the CNDD-FDD wanted it this way.

That’s why when I hear the Prosperity Party and Prime Minister Abiy wants to have a “National Dialogue” now. This while the opposition is lingering in jail. Plenty of parties have been silenced. Others has been chosen and only had the option of warfare to live. While the government have used the conflict to weaponize starvation and block humanitarian access to Tigray region. This is all deliberate acts and the conference is coming, as the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and the price of the war is costing to much.

The state is running low on funds and foreign exchange. The foreign aid donors and partners has suspended programs, which is stopping the possible spending and cover funding for the expensive war. A war that was supposed to be in the final stages at the end of November 2020. Now his in the end of August 2021 and he wasn’t prepared for the conflict to turn this way. Neither was his generals or allies. They all had hubris and ideals of quick, brief and successive war after launching it early November 2020.

This is why his calling for a “dialogue” now is suspect at least. If it was sincere the Federal Government and its allies wouldn’t just “announce” it, but consult with all the other parties involved. Heck, they just want the PR and positive press. However, they have no plan of actually talking or mediating. That’s a bridge to far and a chapter already closed. This is why Abiy never accepted talks with Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) or Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Because, a real mediation or effort would have cost Abiy his pride and honour. Which his not trading away. He was the supposed victor and his enemies was supposed to bend the knee. If not they were supposed to praise him and be his loyal subjects. However, that never happened and this is why they are not at the table.

We just know the game and the Prime Minister have already played his cards. The Tigray and Oromo leaders knows this. The other regions and parties knows this as well. Not like the Ogaden or such has any say. That’s why this dialogue is only for public display, but no real answers. Because, if that was to happened, than the PM and PP have to end their own hostilities and give way. Which at this point is unnatural and out of character.

Prime Minister Abiy rather lie and deceive. Use the moments of self glory and later find a time to stop, silence or even kill his enemies. That is why this dialogue will not be the real deal. It is just a front and hopefully dupe a few friendly donors. So, that they think he will work for “peace” but in reality it’s a scheme to secure more funds for furthering the war.

That’s why this is happening, as he needs fresh recruits, funds and ability to find a new way to counter-attack his enemies on various of fronts. His not only fighting in Tigray region anymore. His soldiers are doing his bidding in Afar, Amhara and Oromia. That’s why he needs more cash and foreign exchange to buy guns, ammo and technical equipment to have a possible resurgence in the conflict. Which has spiralled for way to long and has costed way more than he anticipated. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Government of the National State of Tigray unequivocally denounces all atrocities perpetrated against civilians, calls for UN-mandated independent investigation into all alleged crimes on civilians in the Amhara regions and firmly repudiates unfound allegations published by the Telegraph (19.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Ethiopian AMISOM Peacekeepers are now redeployed to the war-effort

The continued warfare in Ethiopia continues, as the Prosperity Party and allies is scrambling all possible youth together and sends them to the front. Just as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali been visiting Turkey for more military cooperation in the conflict. As Abiy have used Turkish and other imported drones to monitor the movements of the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). Two forces who has gotten allied of late. The TDF have also been able to unite with Agew in Amhara and with Afar people in the Afar region.

Therefore, the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) and Amhara forces (Regional Special Forces and Para-Military “Fano”). These are now in such dire straights, that the one part of the peacekeeping effort in Somalia has been taken away. Peacekeeping missions have been a huge incentive and revenue for any given state. The AMISOM mission would pay the ENDF and the Federal Government of Ethiopia for it’s services.

Now, that several of the troops is pulled out of Somalia. That means the state is willing to give away the pay-check of the United Nations and African Union joint mission in Somalia, which these troops would add revenue to the state. Because, the UN-AU will not pay for non-service delivered and not participating to the extent it has promised.

There are reports of 40 buses filled with ENDF soldiers in Jigjiga in the Ogaden (Somali Region) that is on the way to the front. That just shows the dire needs and how the current TDF is exposing and has destroyed the current ENDF troops at the frontline. They are sending untrained youth with barely training to beat seasoned soldiers by now.

That’s why the current warfare is a detriment to the fall of Abiy and his Tripartite Alliance. They have gone with full hubris and promised a brief campaign to get rid of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF). They promised to end this by the end of November 2020 and follow up the finalization of the “Operation Law Enforcement”. Now, as the Regional Special Forces has failed on multiple front and the untrained youths has lost their lives. The ENDF is now sending peacekeepers from Somalia to save the state from being overrun by the TDF.

That’s how things are looking. The EDF is still in Western Tigray and so is “Fano”. Fano which is promoted and supported by the Amhara regional state. They are promoting it and stating their will of dying on the battlefield. This is why they are using all means to support and say that people should take up arms.

We knows things are bad when peacekeepers are redeployed from Somalia. That just says it all and about the current pain and struggles of the Federal Government are. When they are lacking brigades and troops. So, that they have to take actual peacekeepers. Who happens to be on a mission and send them to the frontline. That says it all. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigray Scholars (GSTS) – Call for Turkey to Stand with the People of Tigray – The Land of the First Hirja (19.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Tigray Independence Party (TIP) – Press Release (18.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Abiy’s message yesterday was loud and clear Part II

Context to the ‘Statement on Current Affairs and a National Call Issued by PMO on 10 August 2021 – THREAD

As terrorist TPLF’s aggressions continue unabated, Federal Government and the people of Ethiopia are being forced to employ all means to defend their communities. The statement pertains to saving a nation from the overt declaration by TPLF to disintegrate the country. The ENDF, Special Forces and Regional Militias have been instructed to halt the destruction by TPLF. The call is to eligible Ethiopians to join ENDF, while others are being called upon to organize at every level and protect their communities from neighborhoods to cities. This call is also to members of the large Diaspora community that Ethiopia has globally, to do their part in continuing the expose the terrorist organization for what it is and to mobilize all forms of support in maintaining the sovereignty and continuity of Ethiopia. Despite the continued international media mischaracterization of the statement alluding that this call is against the Tigray region, such divisive narrative formations point more to irresponsibility of other actors than it does of the intention and spirit of the call” (Office of the Prime Minister, 13.08.2021).

These are the days when the Prime Minister and his war-cry is following backlash. It is just like the man cannot take accountability for his actions and orders. The PM and Prosperity Party should be held accountable and be transparent about it too. It is not like the international media and outlets took it out of context. The warfare has been steady since November 2020. While the PM and PP had a long time quarrel with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The dismissal and blockade of the Tigray region happened long before the November 2020. The central government had already retaliated and tried to use commandos to annihilate TPLF leadership. However, that was stopped in the nick-of-time. That was happening because the TPLF didn’t become one “wing” or “regional state party” like other previous parties who became the PP. That hurt the pride of Abiy and he sought out military means instead of using dialogue or mediation between the parties. Just like he does now and has done over the last year.

The call from the Prime Minister on the 10th August 2021 was clear. It was no ifs or buts about the issue. The PM statement to the general public wasn’t a peaceful text, but a cry for help. A message to ask everyone to follow the call and take to arms. Let everyone who has a pulse of eligible age to conscript either for the army, regional special forces or militias even. That is with intention, as the state needs all troops and guns it can to be able to win at this point.

The Tigray Defence Force (TDF) together with allies is advancing. The state is losing grounds not only in Tigray, but in Amhara, Afar and in Oromia as well. It is not like the TDF is the only enemy of the state. There are other Liberation Movements who goes against the PP and the PM. That’s why the PM and PP has failed the state and it’s citizens. This battle for supreme power and total control has backfired.

The PM knows that his house is burning and he got no current team to beat the flames. This because he risked everything and thought his Generals would save his cause. That’s why the PM and his allies ordered the war, as they anticipated a brief and quick war against the TPLF/TDF. They had the brigades and the war-machine circulating around the region before the attack on the Northern Command. The PM and Eritrean President in coordination with the Amhara Regional State leadership was all prepared and could easily send in troops into the region. This is why the PM was so proud and mighty in the end of November 2020. Which was the supposed end of “Law Enforcement Operation”… and he still had to call for arms in August 2021. That says it all about the cause, the effect and the current will to go to war from Addis Ababa. Peace.

Ethiopia: The newest OCHA Situation Reports is showing little to no progress in Tigray region …

The warfare and escalation of conflicts across the Ethiopian republic is costing the civilians and the citizens. As the state is has recently issued for every individual citizen of eligible age to participate and conscript to the army, special forces and even militias to beat the Tigray Defence Force (TDF).

The state is clearly not winning or doing well on the battlefield. The OCHA Ethiopia is showing no signs of betterment, as it is still 5,2 millions in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Tigray Region alone. That is not counting the people internally displaced in Amhara region or in Afar region as well. As there is also army movements within Oromia region by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).

What is striking and says a lot about the current time in the region is this: “The situation in Tigray, and the spillover of the conflict to neighboring Afar and Amhara regions, is very dynamic and

unpredictable. While humanitarian access within Tigray has significantly improved, with an estimated 75 per cent of the area now accessible, humanitarian actors are unable to fully capitalize on this due to the limited flow and availability of humanitarian supplies and enablers to support the response” (OCHA, 13.08.2021).

It shows some progress, as the accessible areas is becoming greater. Still, the authorities are making it hectic and worse for the humanitarian organizations. Since the last OCHA situation report, the authorities has already suspended several of organizations from operating the Republic. Therefore, it is not like with accessibility enough within the region. It is also the outside pressure on them before arriving in Tigray.

Which is stated here: “Physical access into Tigray via the only road access through Afar Region (Semera-Abala corridor) is partially restricted due to insecurity, extended delays with clearances by concerned authorities, and intense search procedures at checkpoints” (OCHA, 13.08.2021).

As it stands, the humanitarian organizations are working directly with the Regional Government of Tigray, as it states here: “The de-facto authorities are engaging with partners to rapidly scale up response to address the dire humanitarian needs in the region. However, stock levels are currently low, and there are still huge challenges to bring in supplies from outside the region” (OCHA, 13.08.2021).

This statement will bring fire to the Addis Ababa and the Prosperity Party regime under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. As no one is supposed to associate with the “enemy” which it wants to “weed” out. Therefore, this sort of sentence can bring fire to the flame and the UN Organizations will be targeted by the authorities and their messaging like they have done with the suspended organizations and Amnesty Internation during the conflict.

So, we can easily see there are hurdles and the man-made famine isn’t resolved. The authorities are blocking, checkpoints and excessive searches of the convoys going into Tigray. Plus the parts of regions, which it doesn’t have access to is… because the front-lines of war and constraining communications and barriers to entry there like in Northern Tigray and around the surrounding areas of Tekeze river. Therefore, the total estimations and amount of humanitarian needs are not known.

We just have to wonder how many innocent civilians who has been casualties and touched by the this conflict. As there are so many unknown and armies combatting in it. The Tripartite Alliance and the state have to take responsibility for their invasion and amounts of massacres. In combination with the weaponization of the famine. Which only hurt more livess in the region. Peace.

Ethiopia: Security and Justice for Tigrayans (SJT) – Ethiopian’s Court-Martial Decision Part of Ongoing Genocide Against Ethnic Tigrayans (10.08.2021)