Ethiopia: Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF) – Press Release (24.08.2021)

Ethiopia: Tigray – Eritrean General is the first to be sanctioned and Shabait refutes it

We have wondered when this would arrive and it’s finally here. The U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Department of State has reacted and done something in reaction to the spiralling conflict in Tigray region of Ethiopia. It has been ongoing since November 2020 and no one has been touched or moved. This is the first individual who is targeted and its a Eritrean General. Which is striking, as they are one of the alliance members, but not alone.

The U.S. has taken the “invading” entity and the “foreign advisory” to the conflict. While not taking the Generals from the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Amhara Regional Special Forces, Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” or any high ranking official within the ruling party Prosperity Party. That says it all, but it is also a signal… that for the U.S. anyone is fair game, but it is striking never the less.

The U.S. is now validating what many has said, but both the Ethiopian and Eritrean agencies has blatantly denied. They have both retorted and said it didn’t happen. While testimonies from witnesses and refugees has told what happened in the months of the terror and these stories will not be forgotten. Now, they are carved in stone and they are issued in orders. Which are damning to not only Eritrea, but Ethiopian allies who has done this in collaboration with the EDF in Tigray region.

Here is what U.S. Department of Treasury says:

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned General Filipos Woldeyohannes (Filipos), the Chief of Staff of the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF), for being a leader or official of an entity that is engaged in serious human rights abuse committed during the ongoing conflict in Tigray” (…) “General Filipos is the Chief of Staff of the EDF. In this role, he commands all of the EDF forces that have been operating in Ethiopia. The EDF are responsible for massacres, looting, and sexual assaults. EDF troops have raped, tortured, and executed civilians; they have also destroyed property and ransacked businesses. The EDF have purposely shot civilians in the street and carried out systematic house-to-house searches, executing men and boys, and have forcibly evicted Tigrayan families from their residences and taken over their houses and property” (U.S. Department of the Treasury – ‘Treasury Sanctions Eritrean Military Leader in Connection with Serious Human Rights Abuse in Tigray’ 23.08.2021).

Shabait answer:

The US Administration has leveled unacceptable accusations against Eritrea announcing associated measures that it will take against the Chief of Staff of Eritrea’s Defense Forces under what it terms the “Global Magnitsky Act”. The Government of Eritrea rejects, both in letter and spirit, the utterly baseless allegations and blackmail directed against it” (…) “In the face of the repetitive and unwarranted accusations, Eritrea cannot remain silent. In the circumstances, Eritrea calls on the US Administration to bring the case to an independent adjudication if it indeed has facts to prove its false allegations” (Shabait – ‘Eritrea deplores US unlawful Acts’ 23.08.2021).

As usual the Shabait is calling things baseless, but not answering with any proof or explaining why its so. That is what it normally does with everything. They blackball and name-call, but never proves anything. While the U.S. is coming with substantial claims, which can easily be linked to reports, articles and videos online. These can prove the allegations, which the Shabait will not accept.

That’s why we know the Eritrean government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Shabait) is playing a victim. A victim who is always targeted and an outcast of the USA. That is just what they does, because they have nothing substantial to bring to the table. They don’t want to prove their innocence and reveal the truth. The truth and the insufferable acts made in Tigray. Is something the EDF and the Eritrean government cannot run away from. Neither can anyone else of the Tripartite Alliance who invaded and launched the “Medemer Terror” upon civilians and citizens of Tigray. While they targeted the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) and says everyone could possibly be a “terrorist”.

That is what the EDF has participated in and these crimes needs to be answered. The massacres, he rapes and the injustice served on innocent civilians. That one Eritrean General is sanctioned by the US is good. However, that will not stop the warfare or the current state of the conflict. Only be a signal of what is possibly to come.

The Shabait, anyone else in-charge in Asmara or for that matter in Addis Ababa will not like this. The Prosperity Party and the ENDF should be prepared. Because, this is just the first of many. Since, they will find more evidence and pin more on several of military commanders involved in it. The Tigray conflict have the Tripartite Alliance and the EDF is only one part of it. There will be others to implicate there. Also, the ones who has done harm and done ills from the Tigray Defence Force (TDF). Therefore, the U.S. Department of Treasury is only beginning.

However, this is a sign to come. We have awaited this to happen and the day is finally here. Peace.

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

Ethiopia: Security and Justice for Tigrayans (SJT) – Lalibela and the Protection of Religons/UNESCO Sites (10.08.2021)