Ethiopia: Joint Press Release by Tigray Nationalist Parties (27.12.2021)

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Press Statement on the latest atrocities against Tigrayans at Abala, Afar (30.12.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front/Army (OLF-OLA) – Sustainable Peace can never be achieved through Terrorism and Misinformation! (29.12.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA) – OLLAA Condems Attacks against Civilians in Wollo Zone and Reports of Extrajudicial Executions and Arbitrary Detentions throughout Oromia (27.12.2021)

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – GSTS Position Statement on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) – (23.12.2021)

A look into Prime Minister Abiy’s “Christmas Message”

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali published a statement called ‘Our decisions are based on long term benefits not shortsighted’. I will look into what his saying and comment on what I see as interesting takes, as the warfare isn’t over in the Tigray region or anywhere else in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Therefore, this text is a pretext for the continued war in Tigray and towards of the rest of enemies of the Prime Minister.

Abiy begins with “”‘National Unity in Diversity’ campaign has achieved its goal by eradicating the TPLF terrorist group from Amhara and Afar regions. The government has given an order to the ENDF to remain at the places it has liberated. We have decided this based on long term benefits rather than being shortsighted. A strategy that will not lead to Ethiopia’s victory will only embolden our enemies; it will be a lifeline to the terrorist groups. A military decision that is shortsighted will only immerse us in a long war with no end” (Abiy, 24.12.2021).

We are now seeing a clear intent of keeping all territory and not leave like the other parties did. This shows the intent of continuing the war. He speaks of victories, but he ended the “Law Enforcement Operation” and was finalizing that in end of November 2020. So, now in late December 2021 his ending another campaign called “National Unity in Diversity”. This just shows how early he proclaims victory and we can wonder how long he will prolong the agony.

Our people know that the problem in the north came as a result of the changes that were being seen. It was after the changes began to be seen that the TPLF started to use its region as a fort to cause problems because it believes in the idea that “the Ethiopia it can’t rule must be destroyed”. In order to avoid the loss of human lives, to avoid damages on properties, to avoid insecurity and strain on the economy, many attempts were made to peacefully resolve the problems. But the TPLF terrorist group could not see a peaceful path but instead was focused on the path of destruction” (Abiy, 24.12.2021).

The Prime Minister does like everyone else in this conflict project it on it’s enemies without any proof and alleged all war-crimes on others. That’s what he has done all along and this here is showing it yet again. It isn’t the TPLF who ordered the war, but the ENDF and allies who was ready to attack the region and encircle it. Therefore, Abiy tries to rewrite this fact and his Amhara allies had move troops, para-military militia and others to invade the Tigray region ahead of November 2020. So, this storyline is the state manufacturing history to benefit itself.

Our army has remained in Tigray for eight months. It has sacrificed itself so that the economic, political and social services could be carried out smoothly. It has tried all its best to facilitate the rehabilitation of infrastructure, reinstating of public services and the accessibility of humanitarian services. While doing this our army was paying the ultimate sacrifice in two ways. First, it undeservedly received a bad name by the enemies and its media supporters’ propaganda. Second, it was backstabbed by the region’s community which was also a victim of propaganda” (Abiy, 24.12.2021).

Here the Prime Minister claims the state has cared for humanitarian assistance and the infrastructure of the Tigray region, alas, we know that is far from the case. The state have blocked humanitarian assistance and has air-striked infrastructure in the region. The ENDF and allies haven’t cared about this and not even tried to make clear corridors for humanitarian assistance to the ones in need. The state has continued blocking of needed assistance and continued blockage of utilities as well. So, it is striking that the PM speaks of propaganda. When his FDRE creates lots of it and here the PM tries to create his own narrative too. While claiming to be the saviour of Tigray while his forces has violated it since early November 2020.

The government is prepared in all battlefronts to face this existential threat which is multifaceted. The place where we can defend our existence and our sovereignty is not only at the ground level battle. There are many other fronts other than the military where we must fight. The decision the government makes is not shortsighted but takes into consideration all battlefronts. Our first objective was to eliminate the terrorist group from Amhara and Afar. And we have achieved this almost one hundred percent. And we have posted our army at strategic locations to oversee the movement of the enemy” (Abiy, 24.12.2021).

If you believes that the Prime Minister cares about peace or talks. Just read these sentences and you know his expecting more warfare. This man doesn’t care about the conflicts or the concern of the war. He will continue the war on all the fronts and he will ensure all of his enemies are silenced. The PM will use his power and office to get rid of the ones standing in his path. That’s why the conflict isn’t only in Tigray or the other regions, which the PM has mentioned, but it is also happening in Oromia where the state has targeted civilians and leaders there. Therefore, we know his going to make the ones standing in his path suffer.

There are many reasons that led us to this conclusion. First, when there is a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, the ENDF has the constitutional right and responsibility to take measures by moving into Tigray at any time or any moment. Second, we do not wish to enter into the traps that the TPLF and its supporters prepared to accuse the government and the army. The mothers of Tigray must ask the terrorists who have brought all this mayhem upon them and who have forced them to sacrifice their children in vain. Third, Ethiopians have removed this terrorist from their back with a bitter battle. The people of Tigray also have the will and capacity to remove this terrorist through a struggle. Ethiopians and the government are ready to support the people of the region if needed” (Abiy, 24.12.2021).

That the PM speaks of the constitutional order, when his regime didn’t have an issue to postpone and have an illegal sixth year without an election. So, when he uses words like these I question them, as he uses the law to his advantage and his benefits. Just as the state media has demonized the mothers of Tigray and he uses them in his statement too. While his supposed to care for the children of Tigray. The ones his been starving and neglecting through the whole conflict. We are clearly seeing the PM will “free” the region again and we know what that will mean.

The last piece of his statement says this: “Our principle is to ensure Ethiopia’s holistic victory, ensure territorial integrity and sustainable victory of Ethiopia in each of our decisions. From now on the terrorist forces will no more threaten us as they wish. We won’t say they won’t try but as long as we keep our unity Ethiopia will be victorious. Ethiopia’s victory is based not on the weakness of the enemy but on the strength of our unity and collaboration. We must maintain our unity more than ever.”” (Abiy, 24.12.2021).

The unity the PM speaks of …. is a bit far-fetched, when his administration and government works against it. When the PM speaks of unity it seems like a lie. As the PM cannot be sincere, as it is only for his Amhara allies and not the rest of Federal Republic. The Prosperity Party and PM isn’t making things better and the victory isn’t all that.

The unity he speaks of… isn’t what it seems and the people should know that. Just like his ‘medemer’ mission and the terror he has unleashed on the public. That will seemingly not stop and his actions speak of itself. He can use nice words, but the decisions he has made has thwarted all of these words. Therefore, these sorts of statement is only for the blind believers of the PM. Peace.

Ethiopia: FDRE Government Communication Service – Statement (24.12.2021)

Ethiopia: Mufti wants fair reporting after the state created a media blackout

December 23/2021/ENA/ The silence of some Western media indicates their unwillingness to report the reality in Ethiopia and their vested interest to rescue the defeated terrorist TPLF, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Briefing the media today, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dina Mufti said Ethiopia is dismayed by the usual practices of these media as they do not want to cover the right thing at the right time. He noted that the media outlets did not show any interest in reporting the devastations caused by the TPLF in the Amhara and Afar regions” (Ethiopian News Agency – ‘Some Western Media Unwilling to Report TPLF Defeat, Reality in Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 23.12.2021).

The Prosperity Party and the Federal Government feels the tensions with the western hemisphere. They are supposed to be an giddy state, as the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) has strategically retreated from Afar region and Amhara region. Alas, the Tripartite Alliance wants more favourable reporting.

However, that is hard to get when you have blocked access, stopped and shunned the international media houses. For months the state agencies and the Office of the Prime Minister have distorted and dismissed reports from the conflict.

The Addis-Asmara axis now wanted a favourable treatment and be celebrated. Nevertheless, it is hard to give good news, when people are starving, internally displaced and massacres are reported from Oromia to Tigray region. Not like the smoking guns are stopping. Neither is the human rights violations or the crimes against humanity.

So, Mufti who has been operating and helping a government to create a media blackout, communication blackout and stopping information from coming from the front. Now, wants international media to speak nice and kindly about the invasion of Alamata, if not about the Eritrean Defence Forces continued agony in Western Tigray. It is really magical to see this Christmas season.

It is like the deportation, the expelling and the arrests of journalists had effects. Not to talk about enforcing all leaking of military movements on social media, except from the official sources by the last “State of Emergency” had it’s results. Since now the only things coming is from official sources. Therefore, this is their own making.

If you want free and fair reporting, then you open the gates for both favourable and critical reports, alas, the Prosperity Party and it’s allies isn’t accepting that. They just want news that vilifies their enemies and make praises to the overlords for the rest. Since, that is what it wants and not getting.

Mufti must forget cardinal rules and how things work. You follow the money, you follow the tracks of the culprits and then you report. You find shortcomings and also the credible victories. Now, the Federal Government misses out. While the same state hasn’t open the humanitarian blockade or giving way to humanitarian organizations to operate in the regions who are hurt or damaged by the war. Therefore, who will bring the good news? Borkena or Fana? Because everyone else will see through this gibberish. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – GSTS Position Statement on the Peaceful Resolution on the On-Going War on Tigray and the Rest of Ethiopia (23.12.2021)

Ethiopia: Tigray Center for Information and Communication – Statement on Political Overtures for Peace (23.12.2021)