Ethiopia: State of Wolaita – Department of Special Forces – An Open Letter to the Tigrai Defense Force and OLA Chief of Staff (10.11.2021)

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Response to Amnesty International’s Report on Sexual Violence in Amhara Region (10.11.2021)

Ethiopia: Sudan and Somalia worried about the state affairs in Addis Ababa…

“Khartoum, Nov 10 (SUNA) –Sudan’s embassy in Addis Ababa has warned the Sudanese citizens resident in Ethiopia to be vigilant, and carry identification papers when moving, avoid gathering and travelling outside Addis Ababa, in light of the declaration of the state of emergency in Ethiopia since the Nov 2 for a period of six months. The embassy the Sudanese community members and their families to take the necessary arrangements to leave Addis Ababa voluntarily through the available commercial flights If there are no inevitable circumstances that require their presence at the present time, referring to the recent developments in Ethiopia” (Sudan News Agency – SUNA – ‘Sudanese community warned over situations in Ethiopia’ 10.11.2021).

“Somalia’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdirizak says the Federal Government of Somalia is deeply concerned about the war in Ethiopia that if the Government collapses, the weapons could fall into the hands of civilians, which he said may destabilize Somalia and the entire region” (Garowe Online, 10.11.2021).

Today’s news from Khartoum and Mogadishu says it all about what is at stake in Addis Ababa. When the neighbours are doing this. There was already news days ago that the Kenyan Authorities closed its borders to Ethiopia. Now, the others have done so as well. There were also reports that the Djibouti Police and Authorities had gotten memo’s last week of being more vigilant in concern with the affairs happening inside Ethiopia.

Therefore, all neighbours have reacted to it now. The Western Embassies and Diplomatic Missions has already sent their envoys and non-essential staff home. Now, the Sudanese is following the Zambian mission too. It is more and more dire, when even the coup-makers of Khartoum smell trouble. When the Somali who has internal squabbles and in-fighting all the time is worried about Addis. Then you know there is not only smoke, but fire…

The Horn of Africa is reacting to what is happening. Clearly, the uncertainty and the conflict are spiralling out of control for the Prime Minister. That’s why Sudan and Somalia are even concerned and worried. Somalian Foreign Minister even speaks of a total collapse and that says it all. The Sudanese is just asking everyone to leave like others have done. This is not a sign of strength, but of weakness.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali must feel this and surely feel betrayed by the Somali FM who is throwing him under the bus. However, this all his own making and his hubris, which have led to this. It wasn’t an overnight affair, but a prolonged war, which his losing at the very moment. That’s why people are worried, things are becoming dire and foreign envoys have fled the scene. They know what is coming, but Abiy don’t want to see it. Because that means the end of his reign.

I wouldn’t think in my lifetime that a Somali FM would be able to state this about a neighbour. That seemed like fiction, but this is our timeline and what is happening right now. That says it all about the activity and actions of the current leadership in Ethiopia. Peace.

Ethiopia: Unconfirmed reports that OLA is attacking Sebeta

Today on the 9th November 2021 there are speculations and reports that “rebels” are attacking Sebeta, which is under 1 hour away from the capital, Addis Abeba. However, that’s not reported yet and official news of yet.

If this is happening, then that is done by Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) which have had brigades on that part of the Republic. As they are closing in on the capital. There was some reports about this last night, but very few are stating so. At this very moment it is hard to know and the Ethiopia National Defence Force (ENDF) and neither any relevant sources from the FDRE Government Communication Service. While that would also differ from the “survival campaign” and the current reporting of the state at this very moment.

We cannot know if the OLA is able to come this close to the capital and take a town of 50,000 citizens. If they achieve this. Then they are getting dangerously close and would try to encircle the capital from at least two fronts, as there is reports yesterday of advancing closer to Debre Berhan. Therefore, it would be strategic to have troops on both sides of the capital and possibly shock the remaining soldiers, republican guards and loyal troops of the government there.

However, the reports are far from verified and proven at this very moment. This is blurry and the closeness to Addis Abeba says it all. We know there been pockets outside of the capital the OLA have controlled in the Oromia region. Nevertheless, it has never been this close to their target. Which the OLA leaders said they would soon reach. If they are there already. It is becoming quick and at a speed that the state cannot contain.

We have to wait and see, since this isn’t from credible sources, but it still says a lot. When there is reports of this yesterday and it’s getting amplified tonight. Peace.

Opinion: Abiy don’t want any friends…

Well, when you are in the trenches and gets abounded by everyone. You can either try to reach people with an olive branch and bring hope to the table. If not you can shoot- or go all offensive. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the Prosperity Party decided to go out swinging. They have decided to use their authority and massively undermine the few allies they have.

Yes, diplomatic missions have evacuated their staff and non-essential staff from Addis Ababa. This has been everyone from Israel, United Kingdom, United States of America and also other Western powers well. The only African state who has done this and announced their departure from Addis was Zambia today. Therefore, plenty of diplomatic staff and envoys has now left Ethiopia temporary.

As the missions have emptied their staff. There is now reports of six released United Nation’s personnel and another 16 UN personnel are still detained by the authorities. This is a clear message of the state. To arrest UN staff and personnel shows how low his willing to sink his government.

The government is already in a violent and vicious war, which the PM and his army will answer to later. The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) have used horrific means and been parts of serious atrocities. The state together with Amhara allies and Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) have used massacres and besieged the Tigray region. Therefore, lives doesn’t matter to this administration and only keeping power matters.

Abiy is a bloodthirsty leader and he has no scruples. He can bomb, use drone and attack civilian targets to get his will done. The Prime Minister just shows how far the government goes to get his way.

That Abiy arrests UN Personnel isn’t shocking. This state has done this to any sort of dissident and people who are independent of the government. The PM expects people just to follow him and be his “yes-men”. Abiy has arrested opposition or killed them. That is what he does… and been doing. The leadership of Oromo and elsewhere has seen that. The war waged at TPLF is just one out of plenty. Against the ones who are defiant to the Prosperity Party and the Federal Government. Therefore, Abiy has shown his “reformist” side.

Abiy is clearly not getting more friends or allies by arresting UN Personnel. Instead, people are seeing his vicious side and it gets exposed for it. Not only arresting Tigrayan civilians because of their ethnicity. Therefore, Abiy has shown his heart or lack thereof. Now, it is just amplified for the world to see. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – Stong Condemnation and Call to Stop Extrajudicial killings and Mass Arrests of Tigray Scholars/Professionals in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia (09.11.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – The Government of Abiy Ahmed Must Stop the Harassment, Mass Arrest and Detention of Oromos and Targeting Civilian Structure (09.11.2021)

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – Call to Ethiopian Scholars and Civil Society Organzations to Intervene and Facilitate All-Inclusive National Dialogue and Peaceful Political Process in Ethiopia (09.11.2021)

Ethiopia: TDF-OLA continues to advance [towards Debre Birhan]

The Tigray Defence Force (TDF) and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) is speculated to have achieved plenty of miles and territory, as they closing in on the strategical town of Debre Birhan, as that is only 132,7 kilo-meters away from Addis Ababa or Finfinne.

In the second front in Afar Region there is reports that the TDF is fighting remaining Ethiopia National Defence Force and Afar Regional Special Forces aroundn the town of Mille, which is the main road to Djibouti. While the Debre Birhan is closing off another feeder road and vital route to the capital. This will be besieging the capital, in manners of which the state has done the Tigray region for months. With this in mind, the TDF-OLA is directly blocking the A1/A2. That something the Republic cannot afford in the long run.

The ENDF and the government can still get supplies by air and to Bole International Airport. However, it is closing in as pockets of territories are taken not only in Oromia, but in other regions as well. On the 7th November the TDF already took control of Mekane Selam and by doing so. They cut off the Dessie – Bahir Dar route. Therefore, the routes are becoming closed in and the Republic is feeling the damage.

We should expect the government and ENDF to be in panic mode, if this happens. There is already reports of possible internet blockade. It is reported that social media is being slowed down. The state is excusing leaks of a national exams, but this is happening as the TDF-OLA alliance is moving forward.

This will hurt the Prosperity Party and their allies, which isn’t able to stagnate the momentum. Neither, the international community or the African Union Envoy who just visited Mekelle to talk peace with Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). These talks are clearly not enough. The U.S. Department asking for the TDF-OLA to ceasefire isn’t listened to either. Not strange that these hasn’t adhered to that, as the siege of Tigray haven’t ceased and neither has state given any positive signals in concerns with it’s hostilities within Oromia. Therefore, both parties had no grounds to trust the government or it’s allies in this matter.

What is striking is that the TDF-OLA alliance, tactics and strategy is working. Even when the ENDF is importing equipment on the daily. Have weapons specialists flown in the to the Republic. Also, the extravagant purchases of drones and other military equipment. The ENDF has even been forced to force conscription and taking away youths from areas, which the government still controls. In the middle of the night filling up buses to send youths to the front. The state is sending anyone and able bodies to the front.

If these strategic movements and these territories falls into the hands of TDF-OLA. Than the capital is closer to be encircled. The ENDF and the current government would feel the pressure. The battles and the front-line isn’t just somewhere far up north. Neither is it far away with the usage of Amhara regional special forces or the para-military group “Fano”. No, it coming close to home and where power resides.

This should be a warning to Abiy, as the shelling and artillery is over Debre Birhan anytime soon. It is just speculated and rumours of the arrival of the TDF-OLA. That wouldn’t be shocking anymore. As these two collectively is striking at targets from more than one angle. This gives them an advantage and also more flexible usage of their troops. Therefore, expect news to come and that this is soon under control of these armies.

When that happens… know that the ENDF and other Regional Special Forces might retreat or even join the TDF-OLA. Just like there been reports of Oromo Special Regional Forces leaving the Republic to fight with them.

If that happens… the fall of Addis Ababa will happen even quicker. Time will tell and if this is all true. We know the state comes with propaganda … and want the enemies to look weak. They want to look like they have control, but that is hard to believe, as the TDF-OLA is advancing. That’s why we have to follow and see what next move the armies does in the coming days. Peace.

Ethiopia: A Joint Press Release by Salsay Weyane Tigray (SaWeT), National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytona) and Tigray Independence Party (TIP) regarding the joint report by EHRC and OHCHR (08.11.2021)