Opinion: Abiy’s Law Enforcement Operation have become a guerrilla war

Currently, the national defence forces and the federal forces are in a major fight on 8 fronts in the north and the west (parts of the country) with the enemies which are anti-farmers, anti-civilians and caused strife among Ethiopians and are paying a sacrifice” – Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy (03.04.2021)

On the 15th November 2020 I wrote about the Law Enforcement Operation that the Prime Minister had opened the “Pandora’s Box”. Which is now revealed all too be true. The ordered operation that was supposed to end at end of November last year. However, we know that this is on-going and a continued warfare in the region. The civil war in Tigray is continuing to this day.

It seems to have no end and that the “conventional” war with the tripartite alliance of forces isn’t able to totally counter the defensive forces. The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) and Amhara Paramilitary Group “Fano” doesn’t have it in them to beat the Tigray Defence Force (TDF)

The armed forces of the tripartite alliance is using all means to destroy, annihilate and get rid of its enemies. They have been reported of several of massacres, looting and rape. They are using all means of war. Air-strikes, shelling and other means as well. They have mechanical battalions and tanks on the fields as well. So, they have not speared the conflict any sort of advanced techniques to kill the enemy. However, we are seeing that its not bearing fruits.

The Prime Minister promised a quick operation and ending. They we’re even in the final phases. Nevertheless, it seems like he overplayed his hands and possible amount of success. The Prime Minister have been outsmarted at his own game. He went to war and has since then been stuck in a quagmire. A sort of affair, where more and more atrocities are reported. Where the international community and everyone who follows see the rising numbers of fatalities and hears about the violations of the codes of war. The PM is clearly losing this and he cannot even phantom the counter-attacks of his enemy.

The PM thought the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) wouldn’t use their advantage and know-how of their region? The PM wouldn’t consider the one attacked in their homes and villages wouldn’t use counter-attacking means? He just expected them all just to do a battle-royal on the fields and call-it-a-day. If the PM thought so… he is either blind or stupid.

The TDF is using the means of guerrilla warfare. Which is the most productive means to counter-attack such forces as the tripartite alliance. They are using the knowledge and surroundings to their advantage. They know where to hide and where to possible ambush their enemy. That is what the TDF is doing to the tripartite alliance who is invading their lands. If the PM doesn’t grasp this… he has sent these former allies and former comrades to the bush to combat him.

Now the PM and his tripartite alliance is in the midst of a guerrilla war. They are no longer in a “conventional” war… the alliance of the state has already been known for taking state buildings in towns and cities making them into barracks. Where they are stationing soldiers and using universities, schools and even hospitals as bases in the region.

Clearly, the tripartite alliance is doing its best and trying to figure out ways to combat these insurgencies and sudden attacks from its enemy. Nevertheless, this sort of warfare will not be short-lived. The enemy of the tripartite alliance will mask itself and even become the terrain if needed be. They will blend into the general public and suddenly strike as they see fit. Therefore, the 8 fronts is only in the manner the TDF can practically make the lines of attack weaker. As the tripartite alliance needs to stretch its soldiers and front-lines. They cannot focus on single targets and goals. They have to move the goal-post and not just be in area at the time. That is because the ones they are fighting is local guerrillas, that is born and raised in the region. They are fighting for their homes and rights to rule in their region. This is why they are able and can prolong it in this manner.

Prime Minister should understand this. That the Pandora’s Box that he opened in November 2020. Will be a long saga and be the blood-stain that he never gets clean his hands off. This conflict is the war that will be his legacy and mark his reign. The Law Enforcement Operation is his whole project to own and carry. That he has failed it and haven’t delivered is his fault. He promised a quick-fix, but in the end… The PM will have to manage a long-running forever war with guerrillas. Which will only give up when the invaders are leaving. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray – How many massacres are there?

The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is aware of a distressing video that has been circulating on social media over the last few weeks showing the alleged “massacre” of civilians in Mahbere Dego, Tigray. The aforementioned video is now the centre of recent reports by international media” (Embassy of Ethiopia, London – ‘Statement on the Alleged Massacre in Mahbere Dego, Tigray’ 03.04.2021).

Since the 4th November 2020 the Law Enforcement Operation came into full effect. With every drip drop of information coming through the grapevine. The more we see the hurt and pain, the suffering and the costs of lives. That the Tripartite alliance of armed forces are putting on the region.

The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) and Amhara Paramilitary Group Fano is really assaulting and inflicting harm, which will take years to uncover and resolve. The sort of systemic destruction of a region and usage of force, which will be written about for years to come.

I have been seeing the massacres of Maikadra and Axum creating headlines. The reports and the horrific witness reports from these. However, it seems to be much worse and more atrocities that goes under the radar.

That is why I drop these words of enlightenment from Yosief Ghebrehiwet:

Despite all the efforts, the information is slowly but steadily filtering out of Tigray. Through words of mouth of witnesses, family members, relatives and images through pictures and videos, the true picture is emerging. So far, here are some of the villages, towns, cities and districts (in alphabetical order) where massacres, ranging from few individuals to dozens to over a hundred, have happened. I have compiled from social media:

Abiadi, Abraha-Atsbaha, Adiabun, Adidaero, Adigrat, Adihageray, Adihano, Adikeyih, Adinebried, Adiqeweylo, Adiaweshi Adwa, Agula’e, Ahferom, Ala’isa Alitena, Axum, Ba’eker, Beles, Bizet, Chercher, Dahwan, Dibdibo, Digum, Edagahamus, Endabaguna, Finariwa, Gebezya, Gijet, Guya, Halah, Hawzien, Hiwane, Hitsats, Humera, Koraro, Maikadra, Maitsebri, Mariam-Dengelat, Mekelle, Menji, Mekhoni, Nebelet, Negash, Rawyani, Raya, Seharti, Semema, Shire, Tembien, Tashi, Welkait, Werkamba, Wukro, Wushti-Gulti, Zalambesa, Zara, etc.

In all these areas, the massacres are being conducted by the Ethiopian army, Amhara forces, and Eritrean troops. The most horrendous massacres are being conducted by the latter two. Yet the world remains focused on Maikadra, where the consensus of the media seems to be that both parties are involved. But the latest one points the finger at Ethiopia: the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights suggests that evidence is pointing that Fano and Amhara militias conducted the massacre while the army stood by, allowing it. But even if the former happens to be true, the narrative that ‘both sides are to be blamed’ by the media is very deceptive, given that all the massacres in the rest of Tigray – amounting to thousands killed, at a minimum, and still counting – are being done by the tripartite partners. There is no sense of proportion in such reporting” (Yosief Ghebrehiwet – ‘The war in Tigray: Abiy, Isaias, and the Amhara elite’ 29.01.2021).

This shows the sinister side of the civil war in Tigray. When people calls for ethnic cleansing or genocide. They are speaking the truth. As there are now so many recorded massacres going on. It is so deliberately done and with such precision. That we cannot grasp the amounts of them and neither the amount of civilian casualties. There are so many unknown and unreported fatalities, where we don’t know or don’t have access to the full information. As it is hidden… though the amount of places and various scopes estimated killings in the massacres puts it into a huge figure of mortalities.

The atrocities and massacres have to be bloodstains on the Prime Minister Abiy’s legacy. It is a reflection of the despotic ruler Afwerki. While Fano will forever be aligned with these crimes of war. That is just the reality of it all.

What has been unleashed in Tigray is showing no bound and not stopping. The armed forces are continuing their brutality and its ending in the deaths of the innocent bystanders. The citizens who happened to be caught in the battles or be meeting the fury of vile invading troops. There is no mercy and only apparent death. They are only ensuring of more massacres and more fatalities to come.

That is what Addis Ababa and Asmara is giving Tigray at the moment. Peace.

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – On G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the situation in Tigray (03.04.2021)

Ethiopia: Security and Justice for Tigreans in Ethiopia (STJE) – Genocide Intensifies in Tigray, Ethiopia – Alarming Developments (01.04.2021)

The brutal regimes in Ethiopia and Eritrea have started fresh indiscriminate aerial bombings and use of dirty bombs (phosphorus and cluster bombs) aimed at the rural civilian population. The brutality has no parallel in wars that have been seen elsewhere in several years. We call upon the United Nations Security Council, the US government, European Union, and the African Union to stop this war of extermination using all available possible means.

The war of annihilation is still going on without respite. According to some international observers and members of the current provisional administrator’s report, over 50 thousand unarmed youth, elders, women, and children have lost their lives in this war of attrition. People all over the world have been shocked by the brutality of the war on their television screens. Words simply cannot express the agony of women gang raped by Amhara militias, Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers.

We would like to bring to your attention the renewed pogrom by Amhara militias. The Federal Army assisted by the Eritrean brutal forces are forcing ethnic Tigrians from their villages and driving them to wilderness. According to Reuters News that has been able to write a story on the subject, about 200,000 Tigrayans have been forced to leave their homes in the last few weeks alone. This is in addition to the 60,000 refugees that are now sheltered in Sudan. Government affiliated sources indicate over 130 billion Birr (33 billion dollars) worth of properties have been destroyed.

Although the US government and European Union unequivocally called for the withdrawal of the Eritrean Army and the Amhara Militia from Tigray, these belligerent forces have defied the calls and intensified their attacks on the people and are instead moving more troops from Eritrea.

Thus, it has become apparent that the unelected government of Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia and the brutal dictator of Eritrea must be personally held accountable for the crimes against humanity and genocide that they have unleashed on Tigray. It will be a grave mistake to allow any more time and expect the dictators to abide by the rules of the civilized world. The Biden administration through its Secretary of State and the special envoy including the European Union have asked the Abiy government to remove the Eritrean forces and the Amhara land grabbers from Tigray immediately and start a political dialogue to resolve their differences. So far, the Ethiopian and Eritrean dictators have refused to heed and implement any of the recommendations and what we see on the ground is the arrival of tens of thousands of Eritrean troops from Eritrea.

It is, therefore, imperative that that the following measures be taken immediately to stop the continuing tragedy:

1. Force the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Eritrean Army and the Amhara militia from Tigray. The withdrawal should be supervised and verified by independent observers.

2. Allow humanitarian access all over Tigray so that the over 4.5 million people who need food aid can be reached without any blockage or interference of the Eritrean and Ethiopian armies.

3. Stop the indiscriminate shelling and bombing of civilians by imposing “No Fly Zone” all over Tigray for the protection of the civilian populations in rural and urban areas.

4. Reinstate the legitimate government of Tigray and start a dialogue that involves all parties. The provisional administration in Tigray that was appointed recently by PM Abiy is crumbling and cannot reach 80% of Tigray.

5. The immediate release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia including military personnel and UN Peacekeepers of Tigray origin (about 22,000) and more than 90,000 civilians who have been fired from their jobs and detained all over Ethiopia in military camps and prisons.

6. Recommend the investigation of all human rights violations to start immediately after the withdrawal of the Eritrean Army and Amhara militia by independent international team as these two forces cannot allow witnesses and victims to come forward and freely tell their stories without any fear and danger to their lives.

7. After the immediate withdrawal of the Eritrean and Amhara forces, immediately begin the safe passage and return of all the 2.2 million internally displaced people (scattered all over Tigray in squalid and congested conditions with high risk to COVI-19) to their ancestral lands, villages and towns before the rainy season comes with the assistance of the UN. This action will serve as a solution to the humanitarian disaster and robust precondition for the impartial UN-led human rights violations and war crimes investigation including for the healing process in Ethiopia.

Although, it is different in magnitude, purpose, and atrocity, the Abiy government has unleashed terror all over Ethiopia. Peace in Ethiopia demands that all political forces of the country indulge in constructive political dialogue for any prospect of peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia.

Respectfully,

Dr. Teka Neguse

SJTE Chairman

Tel: 443-537-3910, Email: sjte.info@gmail.com

Opinion: Abiy isn’t the saviour but the villain

On this day in 2018 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali took over power in Ethiopia. Now it has gone three years and his still unelected. He got appointed by the Council of Ministers as the Prime Minister, but his never been elected by universal suffrage. He postponed the elections last year in 2020 and has scheduled to hold it this year finally.

However, the term of his non-election is what will seal his fate and legacy. No, that is all his other actions and in-actions. The manner which his reign is filled with conflicts, propaganda and lazing everything with poison.

The Prime Minister came in with promise of reforms and peace. Nevertheless, the reforms have been shallow and a power consolidation of a kind. The PM has been more concerned with getting aligned in his image. Than initially getting dialogue, talks and general peace. He has either buried his enemies or detained them. The Prime Minister is serving the Republic in the worst way possible.

It is not only Tigray Region that is burning as a result of his ego. Oromia is the main leadership behind bars. In Ogaden the leadership is monitored and the citizens are starving. The Prime Minister have done damage everywhere and his not resolving anything.

He made peace with Eritrea and is now a close ally with Asmara. They are an axis who are willing to whatever it takes to destroy their common enemy in the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). They want to annihilate and end the former rulers, once and for all. The Tigrayan Defence Force (TDF) is now going against ENDF, EDF and Fano. That says it all after the conflict started in early November last year.

The Prime Minister still oversee and let government troops massacre people in other zones and regions. The PM has no reasons to stop people fighting in Afar Region or Benishangul-Gumuz Region. Even the Liyu Police extra judicial killings in Ogaden region. All of this is happening during his reign, but never ceasing.

The PM has used his power and his tenure to assault, destroy and get rid of his enemies. While thinking everyone wants to follow him and believes his words. A man who first discussed with his opponents to later detain them. That is why the next elections will be sham one. As everyone who is really challenging him is behind bars and his party will “win” with amazing numbers.

Abiy promised prosperity but currently only delivering destruction. There is nothing his really building. Except for his own ego, which is soon higher up than Mount Everest. Clearly his first book ‘Medemer’ and Nobel Peace Prize made it seems like he was going somewhere substantial. The peace agreement with Eritrea made it seem so as well. However, at home he has buried anyone and detained everyone else. That is what he does and he uses his office to control and silence anyone who could challenge or question him.

Even the men who helped him become Prime Minister have lost their relevance. The PM only cares about himself and the image his possesses. There is nothing he will not promise of greatness. If it is sending things into space, controlling the rain or speaking of peace. While his most consistent results is burying his own citizens and putting his opponents in prison.

He came in acting like the saviour and the man who change things. However, what he has done? Is using all his powers to take it all and stop anyone else come close to him. The PM will not let go now. We can expect more tragic endeavours and state sanctioned violence in the way of innocent citizens. As long as the state can import and have foreign currency to trade the goods to do so. The public is the future cannon-fodder and awaiting their turn. This PM doesn’t care and will use whatever narrative that he see fit.

The PM has now had three years in office. Still, he will not be remembered for peace, but for a brutal civil war. The PM will be remembered how he used all parts of the state to muffle his critics. The PM will be remembered for all the citizens who has fallen in his term. All the fatalities and murders done his watch. Especially, the extra judicial killings done by his orders. The PM will be remembered for all of this and no one will care about his Ministry for Peace. No, that Ministry is used for his war-effort and to white-wash his conflicts.

That is the saddest thing about this. The PM seemed like someone who would deliver hope and be different. However, his just another warlord and a emperor who lives by the gun and will die by the gun too. He will not die because he made peace. No, he will live with the wars he has created and pray to the almighty that he let him conquer. Because, if he loses … the enemies might bury him too. Peace.

Ethiopia: Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association – OLLAA Condemns Recent Violence in Wollo and Wollega (01.04.2021)

Ethiopia: Special Envoy and Ambassador to the U.S. Fitsum Arega letter to Rep. Meeks & Rep. McCaul – Re: Your Letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Ethiopia (31.03.2021)

Ethiopia: Bayto Yiakl USA – Ambassador Dina Mufti’s Statement: Lies and Flour get lighter by the day (31.03.2021)

Ethiopia: Tigray – Law Enforcement Operation has displaced over 730,000 people

There been focus on the refugees of the war, which has crossed from the Tigray Region into Sudan since the start of the civil-war in early November 2020. Now, we are in the end of March and nearly into April 2021. The months has gone by and now the ripple effect is happening.

All the three armies aim at one region and one common enemy has born some results. Maybe not the outcome that was anticipated, as this was supposed to be short war and proclaimed in final stages in the end of November 2020. Which by all means is far from to this day. As there are reports that more trucks of Eritrean Defence Force have been fighting inside Tigray. As Amhara Paramilitary Group Fano has been used and so has Ethiopian National Defence Force. All of these armies have targeted Tigray Defence Force and Samri.

At this point, the devestation and the total damage of the conflict is uncertain. That is done deliberately as the state has kept people in the dark. The state have downplayed and debunked any reporting done. There been campaigns to undermine reports and later verify things partly. Just like the Eritrean Foreign Ministry does as well. They are working in tandem doing this work and shading the lights on the crisis, one report at the time. No matter what is written and by whatever media house… they will in the end dismiss it and call it “fake”. Even if all the things said in it is later verified by state authorities or quoted by state officials.

What these has never targeted is the stats that United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have delivered to the public. The numbers I am now dropping and the horrific reports are coming from their latest report called: “Humanitarian Bulletin

Ethiopia – Issue #4 15– 28 March 2021”. Published today on the 31st March 2021.

What it states is this:

Reports from the Regional Early Warning and Response Directorate and humanitarian partners on the ground reveal that the number of displaced people has steadily increased in the region. Currently, more than 140,000 people have been displaced from western Tigray to Shire and Adwa, bringing the cumulative number of displaced people in Tigray to more than 730,000 (according to the Regional Bureau of Labor and Social Affairs – BoLSA and the Early Warning Bureau). An assessment conducted by the ES/NFI Cluster and OCHA between 11-14 March in Shire, Aksum, and Adwa found a dire humanitarian situation in these areas” (OCHA, 31.03.2021).

We know the conflict has affected plenty when over 700,000 people have been directly touched and had to move. These is internally displaced within the region because of the massacres, open warfare, door-to-door raids and other atrocities happening. They are seeing armies invading their homes, villages and towns. Where the only reasonable choice is to flee and seek refugee somewhere else. Just like the ones who fled to Sudan and is in camps there.

The Law Enforcement Operation of Addis Ababa and Asmara is clearly not only hitting its intended enemies, but also causing a lot harm to bystanders. The conflict is creating a dangerous state and at such a level, which will take years to fix. The amount of people up-rooted and taken away from their homes is outrageous. It will take more than a quick fix to make up for the damage done in these months.

Abiy will be remembered for all this harm and hurt. It happened in his watch and he ordered it to happen together with his ally Afwerki. They are responsible as Heads of State and Warlords. These folks burned villages, extra-judicial killings and slaughtered citizens to prove a point. They did it annihilate TPLF. But is it worth scaring over 700,000 people away from their homesteads? How can leaders like this sleep at night?

When Abiy started the war in November 2020 he opened a Pandora’s box… and this is now one of the outcomes. We have no idea about how many who has died. We have now idea about how many soldiers, paramilitary or armed personnel on both sides who has lost their lives either. No idea about casualties in general. Neither, is there any sort of reporting on the starvation or the struggle to survive in the region either. Therefore, there is a lot of numbers missing.

But… the tally of IDPs says how reaching and what sort of impact it has. As people decide to leave their homes and find shelter elsewhere. That is not done with ease, but for fear of losing their lives if they stays. Therefore, by this alone. We know that this conflict is horrific and atrocities are occurs with the knowledge of the outside world. That is tragic, but sadly true. As we can only know what the eyes, witnesses and the bold reporters are telling. Which is limited and not it all. Therefore, this sort of Humanitarian Bulletin says more than any article would. It states what people are doing, as a last ditch resort to save themselves from the “hell” they used to call home. Peace.

Ethiopia: Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team – The officials of ABO Mr. Lemmi Benya and Mr. Dawit Abdata were arrested today after being released in court, they were returned (29.03.2021)

The general court of Oromia has arrested Mr. Lemma Benna and Dawit Abdata to free them from the bad situation, and they can go back to their house and break the order by force.
These political prisoners have announced that they have been arrested by the commander of the court, Mr. Gedu’s political attorney has been released by Oromia’s special force. Police brought them to his side, I gave a comment on the stone ′′ since I signed and brought them back to Mojo. Even though they asked ′′ let them be released there, since the court was taken to court without the order, these accusers were directed to the point of the ruling of their lawyers Mr. Gudane.
As Mr. Gudane said, the general court of Oromia was expected to respond today, the commissioner of Oromia police commission, Ararsa Mardasa has not been respected, the commission has been closed to the court order for the third time.