Ethiopia: The Oromo plight isn’t over with the limited freedom of Jawar and Bekele et. All.

Yesterday, there was a release of several of high ranking Oromo opposition leaders. This included Mohammed Jawar and Bekele Gerba. There was several of others who was released as well. However, they are skimming the top of the problem and only taking the most notable ones, which they have charged with terrorism. They have never had a proper court trial with and this amnesty can easily be revoked again.

By my calculation without any proper trial or sentencing, they kept Jawar and others close to one and half year in prison. I have little faith in the means to an end at this very point. As there is still a 1000 of political prisoners. We know also that Eskinder Nega was also released as well. Therefore, the state is showing the big names are freed, but they been kept detained as political prisoners.

This release is happening long after the elections and done in a manner of which is very calculated. I don’t believe this release is done in good faith. The FDRE and the Prosperity Party would only do this now to get some credibility and show some good faith. Alas, we know it is only done with a purpose.

You don’t keep people detained for over a year without sentencing and with political charges to release them without some plans ahead. This is either done to disfranchise the Oromo people more. As his putting the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) political leaders out, but not releasing the Oromo Liberation Front-Army (OLF-A) leaders, which is still lingering in jail. Therefore, this is only a marginalized attempt to show “mercy”.

The Prime Minster and his cabinet isn’t sincere with this. As this is done with the preparation of the National Dialogue and the House of Federation planned sessions ahead. They are doing this to buy time and try to forge a narrative of positivity. However, they are the ones that arrested these men, criminalized their activities and was behind the violence in the Oromia region. Where the state is still extra judicially killing civilians, as we speak. Therefore, I have little faith in this move. Unless, the PM hopes the diplomatic community believes in this publicity stunt.

It is positive that the leaders are released. That was about time, but this is a means to an end. The PP and PM wouldn’t do this, if they couldn’t get credit and credibility for it. They want to be praised for releasing their own political prisoners. Which is giving the authorities and the state credit for reversing their oppression.

We know the Prime Minister Abiy will be proud of this. His the one who got them into the spotlight and paid amends. While later he did get them arrested and kept them behind bars for days upon end. Plenty is still behind bars and they shall not be forgotten. Even if some of the big-shots has been released. That is important, but it cannot be the whole story…

This move will only be further scrutinized, as this might be an attempt to alter and split the Oromo people. I don’t see Abiy or his leadership doing this out of goodwill. He might use those words and try to spin it that way. However, his not the man to give them room or let them even properly represent their region. As he blocked them from the recent election and that’s says it all really. If he was sincere… he wouldn’t have used the authorities and the rule book to keep them detained for so long.

That’s why I am not celebrating or thinking this is a victory. They can so easily be detained again or house-arrested for that matter. If these gentlemen doesn’t play along to the songs of Abiy. They will suffer again and so will their parties. That is the reality of this and that is something the PP crowds will never say. Since that means they take accountability for their actions. It was an injustice to arrest them to begin with and they had no real case against them. That’s why the amnesty was easy to announce and to decree from the Prime Minister. However, we know the drill and this isn’t the end of the saga. No, this is just a new chapter and soon the reason for the release will be evident. Since, it has been done for some coins or credit. The PP and PM wouldn’t do this unless they could get something out of it. Peace.

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF/ABO) – We strongly condemn the mass killing of Oromo people in west Shewa zone, Ona Gindabarat (07.01.2022)

ABO is condemning the killing they did on Oromo civilians in west Shewa zone, Ona Gindabarati. As we know from our source, on January 1, 2022 there is genocide on Oromo people in west Shewa zone, Ona Gindabara. The army of Bilxigina Party led by Dr Abiy Ahmed has cut off the contacts of this place and killed 39 people. This killing also took place in three places. And they are :
1. Gurra kebele Jarjartu killed 17 civilians in one place.
2. Seconnd time they killed 15 civilians in one place in Faji kebele.
3.In Batile kebele killed 7 civilians in one place. In total, they killed 39 civilians in one day in Ona Gindabarati.
We wish strength for their relatives, and all Oromo people.
The killing of Oromo is continuing endlessly and is leading to the destruction that the country can’t get out of. In all Oromia, the killing campaign by Bilixigina government is increasing. At this time, the Amhara special forces and Eritrea soldiers are on the whole Oromia. This force is also committing terrorism on the people in different levels. Robbing people’s property, beating and imprisonment has become worse.
It is clear that killing in private, as family and as a whole continues to be genocide by the way the ruling group is doing. The force of Bilxigina group has entered into a problem that can’t get out of it. This is also the responsibility of genocide (genocide) to stop from this.
In this current genocide, we have to warn that Oromo should stand together and defend themselves. At this time, it is better to understand that Oromo has no other solution than fighting. For this reason, Oromo understands each other from the border and is trying to destroy the enemy, it is the responsibility of all Oromia citizens.
A victory for the people at large!
Oromo Liberation Front
January 7, 2022
Finfine

Ethiopia: Security and Justice for Tigrayans (SJT) – A Call for Peaceful Resolution: An Open Letter to the African Union and the United Nations (06.01.2022)

Ethiopia: FDRE Government Communication Service – The key to lasting unity is dialogue. Ethiopia will make any sacrifices to this end (07.01.2022)

Ethiopia: Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA) – Ethiopian Government releases Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, and Other Leaders of Opposition Movements (07.01.2022)

Ethiopia: Abiy’s victory lap [and heroic people of warfare]

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have published a text called: “Heroic people – victorious in his right hand, forgiving and merciful in his left hand!” on the 7th January 2022. This after starting a war in November 2020 and the last phase of that was starting in the end of November 2020. We are now in January 2022 and the war isn’t over. As drones and air-strikes are continuing in Tigray Region. There are reports of murders and mass-killings by state affiliates or part of the Tripartite Alliance. Therefore, the thirst for blood isn’t over and the text revels that.

One of the challenges that our country’s journey often faces is not properly completing its chapters and ending. As a result, the victories in the process are scattered throughout each chapter; Or they may not be able to achieve the desired results. Any national action must be measured by the process and the outcome. The process and the result must be at the right level and produce the right result. Ever since we started the national revolution, we have said, “Our path is inclusive, our goal is prosperity.” We have shown that peace, forgiveness and love are our core values for the path to total prosperity. Only pursuing a peaceful political path to national peace; Forgiveness of past fragments; And the way forward is for us to strengthen our national unity based on the love of the people. Let’s have a national consultation on our major differences from the beginning; It is because of this principle that our differences are not resolved through war, but through dialogue” (Abiy, 07.01.2022).

Here is trying to sell peace, which is disgraceful at this point of time. He speaks of dialogue, when his people and government is acting indifference and with no intention of talking to all parties. The Prosperity Party and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia government will not make it possible for talks or anything in association with the stakeholders, which is it’s enemies. That has been deliberate and therefore, the dialogue under Abiy will be as fruitful as the Biya Grand National Dialogue a few years ago. The warfare will continue… and civilians will die, because the Tripartite Alliance are only interested in annihilation of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Oromo Liberation Front-Army (OLF-A). So, at this stage and time it’s hard to believe from a man who has ordered and worked so tirelessly to consolidate all power. Therefore, these words are not trustworthy.

For the past three years, they have chosen violence and hatred over love; By following the path of war instead of peace; Instead of apologizing, we are plagued by forces that want to use existing fragments for political gain. Still, we chose the peaceful way to solve these problems. But these non-existent elements, apart from hatred and war, strife and division, did not choose the peaceful way. They have bitten the hand of peace that we have stretched out. When we approach them halfway through the principle of forgiveness, they flee, doubling their differences and entering a village of strife. For more than a year, our country has been at war with the terrorist TPLF and the guerrillas. The government’s first choice is always to solve problems in a civilized way. While peaceful roads may seem tedious and tedious, they greatly reduce human and material damage. It also enriches the manpower and budget needed for war. But peace is not just a matter of personal preference. No matter how much we persevere, no matter how hard we try for peace, the enemy’s heart is hardened” (Abiy, 07.01.2022).

Here is the lies of the administration. As it projects everything and all ills on the enemies of the state. Alas, the state did block humanitarian aid and assistance. The FDRE didn’t give budgeted funds to Regional State of Tigray. The FDRE sent commandos in 2018 to assassinate the TPLF leadership. Therefore, the state retaliated against Tigray long before November 2020. As the TPLF didn’t comply or accept to be part of the Prosperity Party, as Abiy and his allies incorporated all other EPRDF parties into the fold.

They are also using the cease-fire of last year, which was bogus. As the blockade continued, Western Tigray has been controlled by Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) and Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano”. They have continued to use violence and kill civilians there. So, the call out of against peace is foolish from the PM. As we are supposed to believe the man that uses drones to kill civilians as we speak. Therefore, his not the peaceful or caring about harm his war has towards others. Nevertheless, he will project all of that on the enemy, which he does so openly.

Brave people do not hate humility and forgiveness, but bow down to oppression. Winner – Conqueror, humble and merciful. Our people believe that “war is for man, victory is for the Creator.” It is good that we conclude our victory with the three values of Ethiopian victory. Victory, humility, and mercy. We must keep the door open so that we do not lose sight of the fact that we have won. With Ethiopian humility, we will end the war peacefully. On the one hand, we are showing the victorious Ethiopian arm, and on the other hand, we are showing the humble heart of Ethiopians. We hope that our victorious Ethiopian arm will not rise above our soil. With a humble heart of Ethiopia, we say our pride and pride are still open to peace today. We went to war because we could not bring peace by any other means. War is the last resort of peace. It is the ultimate force to bring to the table those who have not been able to come to war. In our culture, the end of conflict is reconciliation and forgiveness. We are a people of values, even to the point of marrying bloodthirsty warriors” (Abiy, 07.01.2022).

Here his praising the path to victory, as we know the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) did strategically retreat. While the ENDF and allies have used the sky to its advantage. As the TDF and OLA was getting closer and had closed in to Debre Birhan, which it was doing in the end of November 2021. Alas, the Prime Minister will not talk of the National Emergency and Martial Law as an effective means to gain control.

He speaks of humility, but his allies and high ranking officials is demonizing and using rhetoric, which resembles genocide and ethnic cleansing. The PP officials and aides has come out with words, which doesn’t speak of humility or any care of heart. They have come out with the blessing of massacres and getting rid of Tigrayan. If not wanting to empty the lake of all youths of Omoro. So, when PM Abiy speaks of concern or humility, I don’t believe it and it isn’t his ways. Neither is that shown by the state … which is clear with how it acts in concern with all the needs and necessities it has blocked to the Tigray region for months upon end. That is far from showing forgiveness or mercy.

Ethiopian victory also knows Mercy. We pardoned the Italian soldiers captured during the Battle of Adwa. The Italians themselves marveled and marched in praise. That is the great Ethiopian value. Today, Ethiopia is on the verge of victory. We will help Ethiopia win by working together for justice. On the one hand, we must follow the path of mercy, while at the other hand looking at injustice and destruction in the path of justice, and on the other hand giving room for correction and forgiveness” (Abiy, 07.01.2022).

Speaking of justice, how come Tigrayan war-criminals are executed, but the TDF has even sent people back to the Tripartite Alliance after keeping them captive for a while. Who is the one showing mercy and care for the enemies? Not the ENDF and allies, no they kill and arrests civilians of an ethnic group, because the state believes everyone of that sort can be a terrorist. So, it’s hard to see any mercy or humility in the acts of the FDRE under Abiy. His using historical battles to envision himself in the same lane, as he wants so dearly to be the 7th King of Abyssinia. That is very clear here. Using words of unity, but that is only for the anointed ones, as the ones in his way is getting touched or silenced. That is so clear and neither is there any signals of talks with anyone who is a stakeholder on the other side. This is why he couldn’t even care or have time to talk with PM Hamdok to settle grievances with the Sudanese Government last year. That’s the sort of fella Abiy is…

With victory, mercy and humility, we will make Ethiopia a lasting and lasting winner.
May Ethiopia be ashamed and honored by the efforts of her children and live forever !!
God bless Ethiopia and its people!”
(Abiy, 07.01.2022).

Here is his final words and he continues, as he bashes himself in glory of the recent gains. Since his in Alamata in Tigray. The other troops is in Western Tigray. While the border region of Afar Regional State is sealed off for now. While there is no signs of changes in Northern Wollo or such. Therefore, he thinks of victory and that he has secured victory. However, he has no re-entered Mekelle and neither invaded all of the region, as he did so briefly and quickly in November 2020. When he went and spent time at the Mekelle Airport with his puppet government allies, which some of them he has assassinated later. Therefore, we know the drill and this man is spiteful.

That’s why this text is for the ones that believes in the man and still praises his every move. Alas, his a liar and a warlord. This man doesn’t breath in peace or cares for making dialogue. No, he wants total control and get rid of the ones standing in his way. Peace.

Ethiopia: News Comment by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on attack that hit Mai Aini refugee camp in Tigray (06.01.2022)

I am deeply saddened to learn that three Eritrean refugees, two of them children, were killed yesterday, in an airstrike that hit the Mai Aini refugee camp in northern Ethiopia.

My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of those lost in this attack.

According to the information we received, four other refugees were injured. Thankfully, their lives are not at risk. UNHCR is assisting them to receive medical care.

Refugees are not and should never be a target.

While UNHCR continues to gather and corroborate details on the events, I reiterate UNHCR’s call on all parties to the conflict to respect the rights of all civilians, including refugees. Refugee settlements must always be protected, in line with their international legal obligations.

Ethiopia: Agew Liberation Front – Press Release (05.01.2022)

Agew Liberation Front has been taking a clear stand on the situation of the country’s political situation and the movement will continue; even though the fascist takes responsibility for the death and anger of the peaceful citizens in different countries, it is still disturbing the responsibility of the citizens, because I will not accept the peaceful solution that was done repeatedly for the sake of the people I’m going to be a The country is moving in the circle of pride. The terrorist fascist is spreading the poison of hate and destroying the country with the senders to disintegrate.
The Agew Liberation Front has announced that this act is not fully accepted; the one that our organization has put it as a solution has presented the following.
1/ Our political movement especially the previous region (three) should be fully implemented as a new one and 85% of the Agaw people should be governed by the right age of Agaw.
2/ For the terrorist to think about prosperity and to correct the country, so that the question the people have to answer.
3 / For everyone who is being imprisoned for no reason in the country should be respected
4/: The Agew Liberation Front is worried that it is an emergency to change the politics of the people to negative politics.
Victory for the great people of Agew!!
Agew Liberation Front (ALF)

Ethiopia: «Hoping Against Hope!» – Position Statement of Doctors and other health professionals of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital – College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University (04.01.2022)

Jan. 4/ 2022: Position Statement of Doctors and other health professionals of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital – College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University

We, the Doctors and other health professionals of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital – College of Health Sciences, at Mekelle University, hear and experience firsthand the daily suffering our patients are enduring. As we had solemnly sworn an oath to protect and save our patients from suffering, the least we could do on difficult days like these ones is to become their voice and ventilate their sufferings for the world to hear.

The statement below, therefore, is the collective voice of all of us working in the hospital and the college to echoing our patients’ plea that we hear every day for the last six months.
We have no doubt that anyone listening or reading this position statement will be cognizant of the fact that meeting the health needs of a community in low-resource settings such as ours is a very daunting endeavor, even in times of peace and stability.
To substantiate this, we wish to put some historical milestones of our college into perspective:

• We, the Doctors and other Health Professionals of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital – College of Health Sciences, remember our humble beginnings 14 years ago. We remember that, back then, our 500 – bed hospital had stood empty and idle for nearly a decade because of the severe shortage of health professionals, medical instruments, and financial resources.
• We also remember how this once empty hospital had grown fast through the hard work and perseverance of all of us, the unwavering support of our university, national and international partners.

A hospital that was barely better than a countryside health post in the early days of its establishment, grew to be a specialized referral center a decade later serving a catchment area of 9 million people from Tigray, neighboring districts of the Afar and Amhara regions.
It won’t be forgotten that our hospital had been also serving Eritrean refugees staying in the camps in Northern Ethiopia for quite a while. It is also to be well remembered that patients from Eritrea were well taken care of in our hospital during the brief period of border normalization between our two countries in 2018.

Our hospital’s annual patient visit had risen to nearly 300,000 and thousands of major surgeries, deliveries, and a wide variety of interventions and treatments used to be given.
We all took those positive developments for granted and it was customary for us to focus on future progress rather than dwell on past achievements.

However, while mentally unprepared, we have found ourselves, in such a short period of time, in a situation that we would never ever have considered possible in our wildest imaginations. How could we ever have expected to cancel surgeries for lack of intravenous fluids, anesthesia drugs, or tell patients or their relatives to find intravenous fluids somewhere in the city while the patient needed quick support?

But, we have been forced to work in a hospital without intravenous fluids, gloves, even the most commonly used antibiotics, anti-pain medications, drugs vital for women undergoing labor and delivery, drugs for various kinds of mental illnesses, basic laboratory tests, and a lot more other essential drugs.

• The availability of essential drugs, which was 79.3% a couple of years ago and 82% a year ago has now gone down to 17.5%.
• The availability of laboratory tests which was 93.7%, a couple of years ago and 84.2% a year ago, has now gone down to 42.1%.

The numbers are going down rapidly every week. The oxygen supply to our hospital has become very unreliable and resulted in the death of patients because of the frequent breaking down of the machines that could have been easily repaired if we got spare parts from the manufacturer through Addis Ababa to Mekelle which is now completely impossible.

To make matters worse, electricity blackouts have become more common and prolonged for days at times. There is no means of communication within the hospital and beyond. Thus, we have to walk and find the person we need, even to do something trivial.
We, the staff of the hospital and the college haven’t lost hope despite the huge psychological burden that we have to deal with as a result of witnessing what is happening to our patients on a daily basis.

As you might all be aware of:

• We haven’t been paid our well-deserved salaries for the last seven months, our extra–time payments for nearly 13 months,
• We are unable to withdraw whatever amount of money we have had in governmental and private banks because of the complete shutdown of banking service
• We have nothing to feed our families and ourselves

Against all odds, however, we have continued to serve our patients with whatever supplies are at our disposal!

We have:
• tried to produce fluids locally to clean infected wounds,
• beg business people or residents in the city to give us detergents, soap, bed sheets, and other linen for free or on credit to be able to keep the hospital running.

We have used and are still using expired drugs when that is the only option left. We have tried to give care to those in the most urgent need and ask others to wait to know that those who are waiting are also getting closer to hapless conditions.

Our neurosurgery team has decided to operate on patients with problems in the brain just based on clinical examinations, without having the support of CT scan and/or MRI images which have both been not functional for many months because spare parts could not reach our city due to the complete blockage.

Supplies that we used to get for free from donors and partners, as well as business counterparts, have not reached our hospital for the last six months.

As a result, children who needed shunt surgeries are left to die, those with treatable cancers are denied their rights and those with fractures are forced to wait while being immobilized.

Those who could easily have been saved with hemodialysis are dying. Patients who have had dialysis for years at our hospital are forced to die just because the supplies that could have been brought are not allowed to reach us.

The world is tested with COVID19. Add a large-scale, full-fledged War on it. Then add a siege on it. Imagine this three combined in a poor region that struggles for survival even in times of peace and stability.

We earnestly believe that there are very good people out there in Ethiopia, the horn of Arica, Africa, and the rest of the world who could be the advocates of our patients, our health professionals, and our people. We wonder how the world lets this man-made crisis continue unabated while it has all the capacity and the means it needs to stop it.

We, therefore, humbly and respectfully request all health professionals in Ethiopia, Africa, and the world to be the voice of our patients and stand with us in our effort to end the crisis. We also request the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, different UN and other international organizations, all the other local partners, NGOs as well as international partners to intervene and bring the misery of several months to an end.

Whatever the cause of the war is, it cannot be right or ethical to deny patients lifesaving health care. Neither can it be justified to completely withhold a hospital budget for several months as if it is never the responsibility of the government of Ethiopia to let a hospital carry on its activities and deliver health to innocent civilians in urgent need of care.

We, people in the world, live on a tiny planet and our destinies are intertwined. It would be very heartbreaking to see those with the power and capacity do nothing except viciously say that they are “concerned”, “very concerned”, and “gravely concerned.”

It is already very late but those national, continental, and global authorities in health, as well as governments and organizations responsible for solving such problems, can still avert a catastrophe.
We have seen the world do that before and we, your fellow brothers and sisters, believe and hope against hope that you will do the same this time around as well.

Truly yours,

Doctors and other Health Professionals of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital – College of Health Sciences, at Mekelle University

Ethiopia: NaMA calls for complete elimination of the TPLF

Today like any other day, the allies of the Tripartite Alliance shows their true face to the world to see. There is already discussion of national dialogue, which anyone who follows knows it’s only a smokescreen. Alas, the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) who has a Minister in the Cabinet and is “opposition” party. Now, shows their loyalty to the warfare and is practically an new edition of Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), which Demeke Mekonnen comes from before the EPRDF became Prosperity Party.

Belete Mola really shows his loyalty to Abiy and his war. That is very clear and there is no indication of stopping. As the hatred and the will to annihilate is the clear intention. That’s what the allies of Abiy wants and what Amhara nationalists wants as well. This is very clear to anyone to see.

Just read what a bad translation says:

The Tigray People’s Liberation Army (TPLA) led by the TPLF has discussed in detail the humanitarian and material damage it has inflicted on our country, Ethiopia, particularly the Amhara and Afar regions, as well as the possible attacks and threats posed by the invading forces. The people of our country, our brave National Defense Forces, our Amhara and Afar Special Forces, the Fano and the Joint Security Forces, and Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian descent around the world, have strongly evaluated our struggle and record of victory. We have assessed the strengths and weaknesses of our movement in its struggle for survival and set directions, and we have identified the direction to be taken until the threat posed by the invading forces to the group is completely eliminated. On this occasion, he called on the people of our country, especially the Amhara and Afar Movement, to continue their struggle until the threat posed by the invading forces is completely eradicated” (National Movement of Amhara, 03.01.2021).

The NaMA party is talking and directing all ills on the Tigray and the TPLF. This is done in common fashion by the government supporting party. Which could be just a second edition of the ADP. Belete Mola and his party clearly don’t want a peaceful resolution, but want a total destruction of Tigray. The NaMA wants to eliminate and eradicate… this is the vision of the opposition party.

What is striking the NaMA is calling for more war until the Tigay is ended. That shows it all really and there is no peaceful end in sight. We know the Minister is an ally of the Prime Minister and that is very obvious. As the hate-speech and the assessment of the press release/statement published today shows.

This is just more Amhara elitist preparing for more war. That’s the message and annihilation as well. Therefore, don’t expect much of the allies of Abiy. They are not there to bring peace, but support the war and the efforts of total destruction of the Tigray region. That’s where we are in 2022 and there is no end in sight. Only more bloodshed, massacres and starvation. No positive message or hope, since the ones in power only seeks prolonged vengeance and agony upon Tigray. Peace.