Ethiopia: Reports of Issa-Somali militia skirmishes in the Afar region…

Armed militia from the Afar region of Ethiopia attacked the town of Andhufo killing 20 civilians on Sunday. This event took place on 08/14/2022 at the following location: Afar Region, Ethiopia” (Geopolitical Report – ‘Afar region militia kill 20 civilians in Andhufo’ 14.08.2022).

Great news – the last occupied Issa Somali town, Unda Fo’o in Afar just fallen to Afar!! – the Awash Road from Samara now opens for the first time in 3 years!! At last Afar/ truck drivers can live without the terror of Issa raiding and roadside contraband is over” (Afar APDA, 12.08.2022).

This week the Issa-Somali Militia and it’s also reported from other sources that Liyu Police of the Somali (Ogaden) Region has attacked the Afar region. It is sadly not new and the Issa-Somali militia has attacked Afar before and seemingly continue to do so.

What is striking this week is that parts of the reports said the skirmishes was happening in the Sitti Zone of the Somali (Ogaden) region. While in reality these attacks was in Gabi or Zone 3 of the Afar region. It is tragic that people are selling the annexation and the planned efforts of taking territories from Afar. That’s why they are trying to distort old deals and agreements to besiege them with force.

The Issa-Somali militia got support from Djibouti and the authorities there. While we cannot today be sure of it the leadership or the leaders in Somali (Ogaden) region is also involved. We know that the Vice-President of Ogaden has previously been involved in sponsoring conflict. So, we don’t know if this is the case this time.

We can certainly be sure that the Afar Pastoralist and the Afar Regional Special Forces are behind the defence and the reason why the Issa-Somali militia didn’t get further into the territory. While it is really tragic that this is occurring and the amounts of lives lost.

There are reports that in Gawani town in Zone 3. That the forces are on high alert, as they are expecting counter attacks from the Issa Somali. This is what is reported from the area today.

This means we should sadly expect more the coming days. Most likely not yet peace, but more defensive operations for the Afar forces. Peace.

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Ethiopia: State of Emergency structures [Command Posts] in Oromia and Ogaden regions

A command post is a committee of military personnel that actually holds power in an area under a state of emergency. In addition to command posts, the army also controls areas on many interregional borders” (Netherlands – ‘Country of Origin Information Report Ethiopia’ February 2021).

Today the National Security Council released a statement after holding a meeting. This meeting and statement is revelling the rising insecurity across the Republic. The authorities and the republic’s forces are stretched, apparently. Since there aren’t anywhere to hide or seek relief. The state is also claiming to catch “terrorists” on the regular, but that could also just mean “dissidents” or “opposition”. Since the Federal Government have hang of arresting vocal activists, journalists or anyone who dares to oppose it. Therefore, the definition of “terrorist” in Ethiopia in 2022 can be a bit “blurry” to put it mildly.

However, there was too very revealing things in the release from the National Security Council and even in the government press. The Command Post isn’t a new thing and was part of the former State of Emergencies that the previous Prime Minister and his political allies used to target dissidents. That’s why reading about them now and without declared “state of emergencies” it is clearly a tool of oppression and use of excessive force. Not that it’s shocking, since the army is used against civilians and not to defend the territories of Ethiopia against invaders. Alas, here is one of the problems. While the same government uses Command Post and goes after civilians while competing with rebellions. It surely is losing grounds and moral high-ground. Since, the population see the usage of force and cannot see the possible difference between a “terrorist” and a “government agent” except for the badge or label on their uniform.

Just read here from Government Friendly Press:

According to the statement, to fully destroy the OLF-Shene terrorist group, command posts of Shewa, Wollega and Guji have been formed in Oromia Region. The national Defence Force, Oromia Region leadership and security forces are undertaking coordinated deployment to this end. Statement indicates that 3,280 militants of Shene have been captured, and others refused to surrender to the government forces have been destroyed” (Fana BC, 08.08.2022).

The Somali Regional leadership mobilizing and involving the people took an exemplary measure against the enemy, the Council said. Saying that a command post including the national army is established, the council indicated that 813 Al-Shabab militants were killed while 79 others captured in a join operation” (Fana BC, 08.08.2022).

Yes, the OLF has targeted just like Querro did in the past. This is a continuation of that and the OLF has only been more vigilant as they are operating in what seems like war. That has been done for months and the state has promised to do the “final operation” and finish them. However, they never seem to be able or have the capacity to do so.

The attacks of Al-Shabaab is different and is foreign terrorist organization attacking Ethiopian soil. That is understandable and within reason of what a National Army should do. What I am more worried about is the establishment of Command Posts, which has been reflected as a means of “State of Emergency” and been used as a tool to silence the citizens of any given region, which we have seen before in Ethiopia. That’s why the Command Post usage both place can be questioned. Because, this tool has been used in the EPRDF time and now under PP.

This isn’t a sign of peace, but utter insecurity when the army has to control parts of regions under Command Posts. It shows that things are dire and not in good place. Also, shows how far reaching the troubles are now. As it is burning wherever you turn. Especially, if you read the statement of National Security Council. There wasn’t corner where the authorities needed to be vigilant or acts with suspicious. That is just saying something and how things really are. Peace.

Reference:

Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘Council Praises Positive Steps Taken To Reduce Internal Vulnerability, National Security’ 08.08.2022

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Ethiopia: Will there be a future Wolaita referendum?

Professor Assefa Wodajo, an activist working for separate Wolaita regional state, has been arrested in Sodo. Yesterday a protest was held in Sodo against ruling PP party’s proposal to create a new regional state comprising 10 zones and 6 districts (including Wolaita) of SNNPR” (The Oromia Daily Post, 07.08.2022).

The authorities and leadership of Addis Ababa should listen to the pleas and the will of the people of Wolaita Zone. By the 2020 population of the region is about 5,385,000 people. With this in mind, the wil land want for a Regional State makes sense.

When the Prosperity Party let the Sidama have a referendum and transformed the Sidama zone(s) into a regional state in 2020. In 2021 after another referendum the Prosperity Party also made the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region (SWEPR), which means two regions has come out of the SNNPR under the reign of the Prime Minister Abiy.

The same sort of thing would make sense for the Wolaita Zone as well. We know the state is busy scheming “clusters” in the SNNPR, instead of offering the historical zone a possibility to get recognition.

The Kingdom of Wolaita lasted from 1251 to 1896. So the area has had an historical impact, which led to 42 dynasties and respect the seat of Kawo. After the fall of the Kingdom the new rulers let appointed governors rule over the Wolaita until the DeWrg changed the government structure and put Wolaita together with Sidamo. This lasted until 1991 when Wolaita became a zone in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR).

Because of the act of making Sidama a Regional State. There are others who wants that for themselves. They want to see their Zone and their place in the same light as the neighbour. That’s because of the current government system and the benefits of being a state. There will be elevated infrastructure and security organizations with that. Which isn’t made in a cluster or such.

So, with the knowledge of two referendums and the two new regional states. The people of Wolaita has even a greater cause for their will and want. This has been created by the creation of Sidama and SWEPR. The door has been opened up for others and now the ones left behind asking for their turn.

The arrest of the Professor isn’t helping the cause, but instead only giving it credibility. As the people are demonstrating and protesting for their rights to a state. Who can blame them?

They have already seen two regions carved out of the SNNPR and easily could see a third. With the knowledge of the size of the SNNPR and the amount of population. The Wolaita Zone would take around of it and make the SNNPR really small in population size. However, it would still be bigger than Sidama and SWEPR, which has already been created.

This is a sort of play that the Prosperity Party has ushered in themselves with the establishment of new regional states surrounding the Wolaita zone. As well, as the knowledge and self-believe of ability to create hegemony on their own. Which isn’t hart to believe knowing how the current regime is running the nation. Surely, the Wolaita would prefer some more established boundaries, than what they have today.

So, is Wolaita next? Peace.

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