Ethiopia: TPLF accused of the Mai Kadra Massacre – was that another lie?

The government statement said the commission’s findings confirmed that forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its Samri youth group “killed hundreds of people with full intent, a plan and preparation as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population.”“The world has once again witnessed the atrocious crimes Ethiopia has to endure meted out by the TPLF criminal clique,” read the statement issued by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office” (Addis Getachew Tadesse – ‘World must condemn TPLF’s Maikadra massacre: Ethiopia’ 25.11.2020, Anadolu Agency).

The 9th November 2020 is the day of the Mai Kadra massacre or the Maikadra massacre. Where the Prosperity Party and its allies in late November 2020 have claimed a Tigrayan Youth Group named “Samri” was behind the massacre. The killings of between 600 to 700 civilians within hours with axes, machetes and other weapons.

That was what the Federal Government claimed had happened and spread the message out. However, now the witnesses from the massacre. The ones who was able to flee to Sudan has begun to speak of what they saw. Now the story is distorted and sounds more like a government supported operation, which is horrific.

The witnesses in Sudan is now claiming an Youth Group or Militia associated with the Amhara was behind the massacre. This means the “Fano” which have been very pro-active and participating in the warfare in Tigray region. The witnesses states that the Fano was attacking and killing the people while National Army was watching nearby. That is a whole other story and is tragic in itself.

If that is true. Than the government and state officials have used a state-sponsored massacre as a “smoke-screen” to blame the TPLF. Give them an further excuse to attack and go after the TPLF. This means they are willing to create a false narrative to further escalate the reasoning behind the burning of the Tigray region.

If the state is willing to lie about an massacre. What else are they willing to lie about? We know the PM has already lied about the refugees in Sudan. The PM is willing to lie about anything to look fine and dandy. Just like he said “no civilian” causality when the government took Mekelle. We all know that is a lie too. Therefore, the man in power is very conning and has no issues doing so. While he will bitch about the media and say they are spreading wrong stories. People are just supposed to eat his lies and not call him out on it.

In concern with the Mai Kadra Massacre there is a dire need for an independent investigation into the matter. Where an association or group of experts from the outside can spell it out. The PM and Federal Government is willing to lie and use that lie. It would be weird if the refugee who was a witness would lie about what he saw. A man who gotten pained by militia and ran away from it.

I just wonder. If the state could lie about this massacre. What else can it lie about in this conflict? When he PM lies about the refugees fleeing Tigray, what else is he lying about?

I don’t have the answers, but is suspect when the state first says its TPLF and Tigrayan milita. When witnesses later says it was Fano with the army in support. That is another story completely and also show a sinister side of this government. Peace.

Ethiopia-Sudan Tensions: Second round of skirmishes at the Sudanese border

On 16th December the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and Amhara Paramilitary Group (Fano) ambushed border patrol points in and around the Jabal Abutiour inside Sudanese territory. That was reported by Sudanese authorities.

There been talks since then. This was after Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok visited Addis Ababa for a few hours holding talks with Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy on the 13th December 2020.

Therefore, the new reports of shelling of border-points. On Wednesday 23rd December 2020 Ethiopian army and same Amhara paramilitary group attacked Sudanese army points in Jebel Abu Tuyor in Eastern El Gedaref.

This is the second time in the same month the Ethiopian forces are attacking the region and creating tensions. The Sudanese is at defence and have moved more soldiers to region because of it. That is public knowledge too. As after the first attack earlier in the month. Days after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) moved troops there.

The talks seems to futile… what is really staggering that the Nations agreed on the border and the disputed area back in April 2020. The Al-Fashqa region became officially Sudanese. However, with the current warfare. Maybe Addis thinks they can annex another region too?

This here is really worrying as the escalation is furthered. The prevalence of armed forces. The true usage of armed forces to prove a point. What is also striking is how you in one minute calls the Sudanese your brothers and the nano-seconds after the positive headlines. Your forces is attacking the brothers again. Not like the Sudanese has attacked Ethiopians or crossed into Ethiopian territory here. They have only fortified areas, which is theirs.

Just to prove the tragedy. Here is two excerpts from news sources on both attacks. First 16th December and then 23rd December 2020.

Sudan’s armed forces said on Wednesday that a number of its officers had been ambushed by “Ethiopian forces and militias” during a security patrol of the border region. “During the return of our forces from combing the area around Jabal Abutiour inside our territory, they were ambushed by Ethiopian forces and militias inside Sudanese territory, as a result of which lives and equipment were lost,” the army said, adding the attack took place on Tuesday” (Asharq Al-Awsat – ‘Sudan Says Officers Ambushed by Ethiopian ‘Forces and Militias’ during Patrol’ 16.12.2020).

On Wednesday evening, Ethiopian army and militia forces shelled the site of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Jebel Abu Tuyour in eastern El Gedaref. Sudanese army forces clashed with Ethiopian reconnaissance forces near Wad Kouli” (Radio Dabanga – ‘New Ethiopian attack on Sudanese army forces in El Gedaref’ 25.12.2020).

If you see a pattern, I do. Both attacks was on a Wednesday and seems planned now. It isn’t just a coincidence that the ENDF and Fano suddenly ambush and attacks Sudanese border points. Neither is the weird outskirts of battlefields in Tigray region. No, these seems suspiciously planned. You don’t stumble on the humble a border point of a neighbouring nation.

If it was a one time thing and a boo-boo, but when you use heavy machinery and coordinate two military groups. Then it starts to seemed planned. The Sudanese better be prepared. It is like the Ethiopian authorities are testing the waters and seeing how far they can get.

While the Sudanese needs not only to fortify the area. They need to be mentally prepared. That the same folks that is hunting their own. Can easily come here for the same blood-thirst. Prime Minister Abiy isn’t a man of peace, but a warlord. That is what 2020 have told me. Peace.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Statement – Beninhangul Gumuz: Restoring Peace & Security to the Region and Situation of Persons Internally Displaced by the Attack (25.12.2020)

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – Press Release – Konzo Zone: Recurring Conflict and Human Rights Crisis (25.12.2020)

Ethiopia: Press Release by Hibir-Ethiopian Multinational Federalist Support Forces (EMFSF) – (15.12.2020)

 

Ethiopia: Abiy released his article of manipulation ahead of Christmas Day

Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy released his article “Operations to Restore Law and Order in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region: How Did We Get Here?” on the 24th December 2020 on his own webpage. Where he could write and explain again the reasons for the Tigray conflict. As he needs to white-wash the conflict and ensure he has the people on his side. As the warfare continues in Tigray. Which it has done since the 4th November 2020.

The Prime Minister begins with: “As I’ve said before, my own life has taught me that war is “the epitome of hell for all involved”. I did not come to office to take my people to hell; on the contrary, I came to office with a commitment to lead my people towards peace and prosperity” (Abiy, 2020).

This is the same Prime Minister that has issued law enforcement on civilians all across the Republic. Gone hard against the Oromo and their activists. Created fake coup d’etat’s and nothing has ever appeared since. Except the appointments of more token loyalists of him. The Prime Minister talks of hell, but has no issues ordering that on his civilians for the cause of his own hubris.

He continues: “Following their surprise attack on their own unsuspecting fellow Ethiopians, it didn’t take long for the TPLF leadership to start celebrating and gloating in public about their prowess and invincibility in war and how they have now transformed themselves, overnight, into the largest fighting force in the entire Horn of Africa” (Abiy, 2020).

What is striking about this tale about the surprise attack. Was that in advance of this. The ENDF had already transported and aired in soldiers across the borders to Eritrea. To secure the Federal Government could attack the region on more fronts than one. Therefore, the idea that it was done in total darkness and surprise seems weird to me. Especially, when the Eritrean operatives and army also have participated. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister has a story to sell and he has to push the narrative.

The PM continues: “My primary duty as prime minister and commander in chief is to protect the nation and its people from internal and external enemies. That is why the Federal Government launched and successfully executed defensive operations to restore law and order in the Tigray Region, regrettably making the use of force the only tool left in our arsenal” (Abiy, 2020).

The man who quickly said in the end of November 2020 that the 3rd Phase was over. Now, states the defensive measures are over. That shows that he shifts the goal-post and the mission objectives. Unless, his winging it and trying to make sense of the sudden changes. It is weird that its law and order when the Federal Government is killing civilians, causing pain and suffering in the name of the Constitution. That is restoring law and order. Then, I am sure people miss the days of the anarchy and outlaws. Air-strikes and missile launches, soldiers in the streets and Fano burning villages is surely not bringing constitutional order, but more havoc.

He says further: “At the same time, I also know that the Federal Government was forced to engage in this operation for existential reasons – the future of Ethiopia as a sovereign nation and the peaceful co-existence of its people was at stake. The heavy cost we incurred as a nation was necessary” (Abiy, 2020).

Nobody forced him to do this. He can claim so now. However, the planned enterprise is clear. The TPLF might played along with it. As you knew perfectly well what would happen and you would eat in glory if they were all fallen by now. However, you haven’t been able to crack the TPLF leadership or their Executive Committee. Therefore, the “Law Enforcement Operation” haven’t worked perfectly. Alas, you have caused pain and suffering on innocent civilians. He speaks of that, but nobody force anyone to order soldiers on your own civilians. That is blatant lie. The PM could have chosen another path and if he believed so. Abiy could have talked and have dialogue with the one party that didn’t dissolve into the Prosperity Party. So, how its existential to annihilate one party is beyond me. Unless, he wants to become a proper “one-party” state?

In the end he says: “At the same time, the peace and security we have restored at so much cost remain fragile. That is why we are determined to ensure our next elections, scheduled to take place in mid-2021, are fair, free, and inclusive, and that the people of Tigray, like all other Ethiopians, shall soon be led by a regional government of their free own choice” (Abiy, 2020).

When the state is all one-sided and only for one-party. Well, it is a lie that they will be free and fair. These elections are rigged long before they even are scheduled. As the main opponents are either labelled “terrorist” like TPLF or behind bars like the Oromo leadership is. Therefore, the up-coming election is a affair in favour of PP and their “yes-men”. Another election made to secure the “status-quo” and the one man victor. There will be no free and fair elections. Not during the tenure of Abiy.

He will force the results and pre-fix it in a manner, which has been usually during the days of EPRDF. There will be no difference with him. The PM might thinks his words and his publicity stunts will change that. However, the mere actions done by the PM is disconnect from his words. That is why it’s impossible to get free and fair elections. When the Oromo is in jail and the Tigray is burning.

That is why this is trying to manipulate and manufacture a story. When he lies this easily and writes like this. It is evident his not even trying to tell the truth. Just like he did with other stories to in connection to the warfare in Tigray. Sooner or later someone with a bigger platform than mine will address it and undermine his stories. Peace.

Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – Call on Anti-War organizations, Think Tanks, Movements and the International Community to Urge the Federal Government of Ethiopia to Stop the War and Open Unfettered Humanitarian Access in Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia (15.12.2020)

Ethiopia: 53 Political Parties have lost their licences in 2020

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) have been pre-occupied with preparing for elections for a long time now. As the House of Federation have postponed the General Elections, which is slated now for 2021. Because of that the NEBE have twice run through the procedures and gathering information, documents and signatures of the parties. To check if they are viable or are working accordingly to the law.

With this in mind ahead of the elections. The NEBE have two times year revoked parties licenses. First in May 2020 and now in December 2020. They are clearly doing it with a iron-fist. As they are really targeting plenty of parties here. The NEBE had a base of requirements and all of these parties didn’t cut it.

It is a massive load of parties. Today alone 26 parties lost their licences to operate and in May 2020 it was 27 more. That is an total of 53 parties that has lost their licences just this year. On this is list isn’t Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) which are now a “terrorist organization” and enemies of the state. This was a political party until the conflict in November 2020. However, that party was neither listed nor in the discussion of NEBE at this point.

Here are the two lists.

26 cancelled parties of 22nd December 2020:

The Existence of Amhara for Ethiopian Unity

Oromo Unity and Democracy Federal Peace Change Party

Oromo Abo Liberation Front

Oromo Independence Unity Front

United Oromo Liberation Front

Oromo Liberation Democratic Front

Oromia Liberation Democratic Party

Ethiopian Democratic Party

Dube and Degeni National Democratic Party

Agwo Democratic Party

Oromo Democratic Union

All Ethiopian National Movement

Oromo National Congress

Oromia Independence National Party

Union for Democracy and Freedom

Somali Patriotic Party

Afar Revolutionary Party

Somali Regional Democratic Union

Consultation for Unity and Democracy Party

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Ethiopian Peace and Democratic Party (EPDP)

Unity for Democracy and Justice Party:

Ethiopian People’s National Movement

Nezberake Amhara Organization

Unity of the People of Finfine for Justice and Democracy

Harari Revival Movement

There was a list from 15th May 2020 too with another list of parties that was revoked their licenses. Therefore this is second big drive of cutting away parties and taking away their licenses to operate. The previous list of parties was these:

Full list of parties whose licenses have been revoked:

1. Ethiopian Democratic Unity Movement

2. Geda System Advancement Party

3. Yem Nation Democratic Movement

4. Denta Dubamo Kechinchila People Democratic Organization

5. Ethiopian National Unity Congress

6. Tigre Worji Nationality Democratic Organization

7. All Amhara People’s Organization

8. Ethiopian Unity Democratic Organization

9. All Amhara People’s party

10. Ethiopians National Movement

11. Southern Ethiopia Democratic Congress

12. Sheko and Regional People Democratic Organization

13. Freedom and Peace for Ethiopia Unity Party

14. Ethiopian Visionary Party

15. All Ethiopian Democratic Party

16. Kambata People’s Congress

17. Hadiya Nation Democratic Organization

18. Omo People’s Democratic Union

19. Dil Webi People’s Democratic Movement

20. Bench people’s Democratic Organization

21. Silte People’s Democratic Party

22. Afar People’s Liberation Party

23. Somali Unity Party

24. Freedom for Unity and for Justice Party

25. South-West Ethiopia People Union

26. National Renaissance for Peace and Development

27. Gambella Regional Movement” (FANABC – ‘NEBE cancels licenses of 27 political parties’ 15.05.2020).

We are clearly seeing direct act of the government towards these parties. They are really taking out as many as possible. So there is less choices. Some of these parties was most like partly defunct and some was “brief-case parties” but others we cannot know. However, the reactions to the revoked licenses should say something.

If there is no reaction or no dismay over the deregistering of them. Then they didn’t have a purpose or a platform to begin with. They were only an entity on paper for someone who had an idea, but never made it happen. NEBE is issued to this and check their registries, but doing it at this big of scale. Speaks volumes of their actions and we can wonder what they really want to achieve.

That is for another day. Peace.

Ethiopia: If we can’t speak up for the dead [than we can’t speak at all]

This warfare that is being done in the Tigray Regional State, the Law Enforcement Operation launched on the 3rd November 2020. That the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Eritrean Army and Amhara Para-Military (Fano) all deliberately acting on behalf of the central government and their agenda to end Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Prime Minister Abiy and his Prosperity Party is going hostile towards all its enemies. Political or anything else. Silencing anyone who reports other stories than the ones the state accepts. The state controls the media houses and their opportunities. The state blocks all venues of communication and orders law enforcement on the ones that dares to challenging it. This being either Oromo organizations or political parties. This being TPLF and the people of Tigray itself. They are all under attack. Arrested, political prisoners and extra judicial killings. This is what the state does..

That is what is worrying. This one-sided mannerism the state of infuriating pains and suffering, which is unknown. Only fragments of witnesses that is fleeing Tigray gets to tell their stories to reporters and humanitarians in Sudan. Therefore, the knowledge we do have is “old” and not fresh actions. Not the newest operations or mission within the region. It is hard to know what extent or what the government does. The voices are silenced and only a few small headlines passes through.

What we need to do. Is to get independent investigations into the conflict. To ensure that victims gets answers and their kin too. So, that the brutal conflict can get an end and justice to the ones that died by either association, unluck or just because they happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. There are so many people dying in a conflict with no name or no history. They are just bystanders and citizens who happens to be living close to a battlefield or a strategic village. These are burned, destroyed and met a hostile force retaliating against their enemy. While these citizens just happen to live there and wasn’t even entertaining the conflict itself. Still, these lives matters, because they could be us. We could be those citizens one day… and we don’t want to die over nothing and that it didn’t matter to anyone.

There are so many loved ones scorned in a conflict. So, many families who has lost their loved ones. Not only soldiers, militias and Tigrayans. No, Oromo have lost plenty over the years and it continues. There are other conflicts happening too.

Soldiers will be remembered and be written in books. However, citizens of smaller villages will only be remembered by a chosen few. Still, these people mattered in their community and within their sphere. These folks deserves to remembered and not forgotten. They have lost their lives because big-men fight. Big men want the glory and the honour. The big man want all the power and bravery to his name. A big man want to consolidate all power and get rid of the ones in his way.

That is why PM Abiy acts like he does. He does it to prove a point. The burning villages and destroyed families is a saga he doesn’t want told. However, he wants the glory of victory and winning battles. Even if he battling his own ego and his own spirit. As he fights to keep himself ahead while haunting after the next enemy and the next battle he needs to overcome.

So, there will be more fatalities and this will not stop. When it was so easy to order war on one part of the Republic. He can easily do it to another. That if he deems them as enemies they will burn too.

This is why we needs to speak up for the dead. The dead cannot speak and they have already left this realm. However, to not forget their lives. We will mention their names and stories. Remind ourselves about what happened and hope for justice. Hope that their life wasn’t taken in vein, but for a grander purpose. So, that we can become better people and create a better tomorrow. Because, nobody should die for nothing, but be remembered for something. These lives shouldn’t be silenced and forgotten. These folk deserves better and death shouldn’t be the final end. However, it should be second life and the ones taking their lives should answer for it. These folks should justify and give reasons to why they did what they did. There should be inquiries and investigations into every bullet taking a life. Every life taken by the air-strikes and drones. The state should answer for it. Especially, since its a “Law Enforcement Operation” and Law Enforcement should address the reason for why they used fire and lifted their cannon. The Law Enforcement should explain the usage of force and reason behind it.

I doubt this will ever happen. However, nobody should be killed, become a fatality without answers. That is devaluing life and endangering the rule of law. That is injustice and impunity, which shouldn’t be promoted by a so-called constitutional government. A constitutional government should secure the well-being and value life. Not only take life and expect people not to address the despair of all the ones dying in the hands of government sponsored law enforcement. Peace.

Ethiopia: Provide unhindered access to whole of Tigray to protect civilians, Bachelet urges Ethiopia (22.12.2020)

Geneva (22 December 2020) – Seven weeks after the conflict began in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the continuing lack of overall humanitarian access, coupled with an ongoing communications blackout in many areas, raises increasing concerns about the situation of civilians, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned on Tuesday.

“While we welcome the Ethiopian Government’s statement that there would be unimpeded humanitarian access, in line with the agreement with the UN signed on 29 November, this needs to be to all areas of Tigray where civilians have been affected by the fighting,” Bachelet said, noting that two humanitarian assessment missions were able to enter Tigray on Monday.

“We have received allegations concerning violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including artillery strikes on populated areas, the deliberate targeting of civilians, extrajudicial killings and widespread looting,” said the High Commissioner.

“These reports point to failure by the parties to the conflict to protect civilians. This is all the more concerning given that fighting is said to be continuing, particularly in some areas of north, central and southern Tigray,” she said. Tens of thousands of civilians have already been displaced or have fled across the border to Sudan. Bachelet also echoed the concern expressed by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, for the safety and wellbeing of some 96,000 Eritrean refugees registered in four camps in Tigray when fighting started.

Given the current restrictions, the UN Human Rights Office is not in a position to verify reports on the ground but it has received consistent information pointing to violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law by all parties to the conflict.

Among the accounts, witnesses described artillery strikes on the town of Humera on the border with Eritrea between 9 and 11 November. The UN Human Rights Office interviewed several people from the town who alleged that shells launched from Eritrea had hit residential areas and the hospital. The Ethiopian army and regional Amhara forces and militia then reportedly took control of Humera, allegedly killing civilians and looting the hospital, banks, businesses, supermarkets and private houses.

Artillery strikes against the town of Adigrat in early November reportedly forced many families to flee to the mountains, where they were then trapped by heavy fighting between 20 and 24 November, with many people reported to have been killed.

One of the most shocking incidents reported to date was the alleged mass killing of several hundred people, mainly Amharans, in Mai Kadra, on 9 November.

“If civilians were deliberately killed by a party or parties to the conflict, these killings would amount to war crimes and there needs to be, as I have stressed previously, independent, impartial, thorough and transparent investigations to establish accountability and ensure justice,” Bachelet said.

“I urge the authorities to build on the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission’s preliminary findings into what happened in Mai Kadra. It is essential that there are investigations into allegations of human rights violations there against both Amharans and Tigrayans,” she said.

Based on multiple accounts, the Amhara “Fano” militia has reportedly committed human rights abuses, including killing civilians and carrying out looting. The UN Human Rights Office has also received information, which it has not been able to verify, concerning the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray, their involvement in the hostilities and related serious violations of international law.

While telephone lines are beginning to be restored in some areas, the communications blackout that began on 4 November and restrictions on access raise significant concerns that the human rights and humanitarian situation is even more dire than feared. These reported allegations are likely only the tip of the iceberg regarding the extent and seriousness of the violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by all parties to the conflict.

For instance, while the Government of Ethiopia has repeatedly alleged that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces have been involved in violations of international law, without access it remains challenging to verify these allegations.

“This underscores the need for independent human rights monitors to be given access to Tigray to adequately assess the human suffering resulting from the conflict, verify allegations and to help ensure accountability for violations,” Bachelet said.

“What has happened in Tigray over these past seven weeks is as heart-breaking as it is appalling. Despite the Ethiopian Government’s initial efforts to provide humanitarian aid in some areas, it is vital that life-saving assistance is delivered to all civilian populations in need without further delay,” the High Commissioner said.

“To avoid continued conflict and loss of life, Ethiopia should address its longstanding ethnic divides through accountability, inclusive dialogue, reconciliation and respect for human rights,” she stressed.