Ethiopia: the Government are apparently using all means to silence the citizens under the current ‘State of Emergency’!

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The State of Emergency that came recently is a precautions move; to establish in essence the legality to oppress the regions of Amhara and Oromia under the TPLF or Ethiopia People Revolutionary Democratic Front that goes after civilians to keep the Tigray-Government in power in Addis Ababa.

Here is the main fixes to keep the stalemate and continue to violate the citizens’ rights under the oppressive behaviour of Agazi Squad; not only killing civilians, but going from houses to stop the congregations of peaceful demonstrations. That’s been going on for months that the citizens’ have demonstrated against the Central Government; something that has not gone well with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Here is the details of the State of Emergency that will last for six months to shut-down peaceful demonstrations that been gaining momentum in Oromia and Amhara.

Exchange of Messages:

“The state run media outlets on Saturday published details of the law as presented by the head of the command post secretariat in charge of the state of emergency and minister of defense, Siraj Fergessa” (…) “The emergency law prohibits the exchange of messages and information via the internet, cell phones, social media, television and radio” (ESAT, 2016).

Firstly the law now is not allowing the people to use common communication channels as modern and older technologies to spread information. This is happening as there have already shut-down the Internet, therefore the activists want the citizens to use VPN connections through MeshKit and FireChat. This is because the Central Government have even silenced the phone-lines as well, to stop the information from the area go to the people.

Holding Demonstrations:

“Publishing and distributing documents, holding demonstrations, showing protest gestures, importing and exporting published materials were also prohibited by the law” (ESAT, 2016).

Secondly publishing and distributing document together with holding demonstrations are now illegal, as much as the hand-gesture like holding fists is now banned from Central Government. The Central Government are showing really that they don’t let the people spread information or holding demonstrations. This together now with gestures or publish any materials. So these materials and documents are supposed to lead to demonstrations, therefore they are illegal because the government doesn’t want to see it. This proves that citizens are not allowed to demonstrate against a regime that is now currently not allowing the citizens to have a VOICE!

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Watching ESAT and OMN is banned:

“The law specifically mentioned  two independent media outlets abroad and banned the public from watching and listening to television and radio  programming by the Ethiopian Satellite Radio and Television (ESAT) and Oromo Media Network. The law gives power to security forces to monitor  and block messages transmitted via television, radio and movie theatres” (ESAT, 2016).

Thirdly, the Central Government who is not allowing spreading information or even gestures, that are silencing the voices of people. That the Central Government are banning two Channels directly Ethiopia Satellite Radio and Television (ESAT) and Oromo Media Network (OMN); this is the government is controlling the media and not allowing other news from being spread to the citizens. That is because they are not sending the massaged messages and statements that Government Spokesperson Getachew Reda wants to broadcast to save face for the oppressive regime.

Strikes are banned too!

“According to the law, strikes by workers as well as businesses and closing government offices in protest are illegal. The law says protests by students in universities, colleges and higher institutions of learning are also outlawed. The law gives power to security forces to take any action they deemed necessary against students who stage protest rallies” (ESAT, 2016).

Fourthly, the Workers are just to labour and not to ask about their rights, their wages or do anything about it. They are just too be happy with their place and salaries, working hours and not question the behaviour of their bosses and the labours safety. Together with the students who is not allowed to question the Central Government under the ‘State of Emergency’ as the civil society cannot spread information or watch certain channels; therefore the wages and workers are to be in the period not demonstrate for their wage or working hours; even if their wrong or not just for the labourers in Ethiopia. The #AddisTaxiStrike is not allowed to happen in the next 6 months… because of the EPRDF silence everybody who thinks about addressing the misgivings of the authoritarian regime.

Diplomates banned from travelling:

“The emergency law stipulates that diplomats cannot travel beyond 40 kms radius outside the capital without prior authorization and permission from the command post” (ESAT, 2016).

Fifth, the diplomates and dignitaries are not allowed and banned from movement, I wonder if the American Diplomates we’re to travel to Amhara or Oromia if they would be directly sent back to Addis Ababa. If not if they would end in jail like the Swedish Journalists in recent years. As the Oppressive behaviour doesn’t want Human Rights Activists and Diplomates who are connected with allies and such to travel into the regions to see the violence and oppression from the Central Government.

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Police Force intact:

“Members of the police and security forces cannot take leave of absence or resign in the duration of the state of emergency” (ESAT, 2016).

Sixth, the Police Force and Security Forces are to be stable in the levels it is now. The Security Organizations like the Army and Agazi Force is to be there to silence the Civil Societies and the people of the regions use their forces to kill the spirit, the people and the means to silence them by any means. This means they are now occupying the regions with soldiers and artillery without any consideration of the people as they are just to work and not question the legitimacy of the Central Government in Addis Ababa.

Curfew:

“A curfew is in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time in areas where there are economic infrastructures, factories, agricultural projects and other investments. The law also authorizes security forces to take whatever measure necessary against people who violate the curfew” (ESAT, 2016).

Seventh, so the people who are just to work, not to listen or see reports or news from others than who are accepted from the Central Government of the EPRDF. So the demonstrations are not illegal, they are extending it to be indoors from after work time; if the people tries to avoid this than the Agazi Squad to detain or use any means to stop them. This leaves the people with fixed salaries and with no freedom or liberty of their movement while the ‘State of Emergency’ is in effect!

Security forces can do what they please:

“Security forces are given permission to search and arrest anyone and confiscate possessions without a court warrant, according to the law” (…) “The emergency law also give security forces the power to take any action to defend themselves from any threat or attack” (ESAT, 2016).

Eight, the Agazi Forces and Soldiers, even Police can arrest anyone as they please, they don’t need charges or any signs of illegal activity. The people are designed to be sinners or violators as the citizens are guilty before there are innocent under the current Central Government. The Ethiopian Government have made people and their illegitimate activity into a feast of oppressive behaviour. The next level is to ban work and harvest so they can just die on the side of the roads of Gonder or Mendi. I am sure by the new laws, they are not allowed to be die or be buried; as the people are just supposed to be silenced by the TPLF.

This is so sad, that the Central Government is issuing this sort of acts and activities that are done with the cookbook of oppressive behaviour. They are using any ingredient to stop the people, the citizens from being [citizen’s] and they don’t want the foreign powers to know anything about their violence towards the citizens. Therefore I am calling it not aggression, but calling it an occupation of Amhara and Oromia regions, as the Central Government do not want to accept the demonstrations against them. Peace.   

Reference:

ESAT News – ‘Ethiopian authorities release details of state of emergency’ (15.10.2016) link: http://ethsat.com/ethiopian-authorities-release-details-state-emergency/

Statement by the Spokesperson on Ethiopia’s announcement of a state of emergency (10.10.2016)

Peace Ethiopia

The government of Ethiopia announced over the weekend a state of emergency for six months.

Fundamental human rights must be respected at all times as announced by Prime Minister Hailemariam. The suspension of political and democratic rights should be avoided.

Today’s parliamentary session offers the opportunity to open the way for an inclusive dialogue in response to the grievances of the population. This should lead to a comprehensive reform package.

Violence, whichever side it comes from, has no place in this endeavour.  Now it is time for all forces, inside and outside Ethiopia, to restore calm and join in ensuring that Ethiopia can pursue the path of democracy and development.

The Ethiopian protests in the provinces end in ‘State of Emergency’ another way to oppress the Amhara and Oromo regions!

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Just as the months of demonstrations in Amhara, Oromo and Ogaden regions the Ethiopian Government under the Tigray Central Government under Prime Ministre Hailemariam Desalegne has order a State of Emergency. This happens as several foreign businesses are either pulling out of the regions or feeling the fear of being burned down by protestors. The reality is that the Government have already set in the Agazi Squad of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) under the Ethiopian People’s Revolution Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The Amhara demonstrations and Ogaden demonstrations has been in general peaceful, but with some reactions towards the government has given land to foreign companies instead of giving the needed support to the locals. 

PM Hailemariam Desalegne said on TV:

“A state of emergency  has been declared  because the situation posed a threat against the people of the country” Hailemariam said on state run tv” (Reuters, 09.10.2016).

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State of Emergency:

“The Council of Ministers has declared a state of emergency that will be effective as of Saturday evening so as to deal with anti-peace elements that have allied with foreign forces and are jeopardizing the peace and security of the country,” the state Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation announced Sunday morning” (FaroukFahima, 2016).

Breaking News: The minority and most hated regime in #Ethiopia declares state of emergency. The regime is in war against the people” (ERITREA Hadelibi, 09.10.2016).

There has also been reported on Friday that both Dutch Flowering companies working in Oromia and Amhara are planning to shut-down production in the area. This being Esmeralda Farms, Africa Juice and other 11 companies has been or trying to close their operation in Ethiopia. Other businesses have been burned down by the demonstrators as they are feeding the government with tax monies and do it weakening the authorities. This company has also been reported being behind the land-grabs in the regions, something that are escalating the anger towards the Central Government and their policies towards the citizens.

Zewya Prison have been set a blazed by demonstrators as the government are using their army. There been heard of gun shootings as well.

There been reported that the TPLF are keeping their loyal henchman in Amhara, as the regional president Hon. Ato Gedu Andargachew are to stay in power. Even with all the problems and demonstrations he is still trusted by the Addis Ababa government.

The army and Agazi Sqaud have been reported being responsible for the killings amounting up to 700 people, because the #OromoProtests are violating the control and insecurity of the Central Government. The Oromo people are fighting for their justice as the Central Government are keeping them under control now with surveillance, army and curfew in the region. Since November 2015, the amount of fallen people during the Oromo Protest has been calculated to 2500. That is extreme numbers to die under protests in peace-time.

That is happening as the Army has also sent brigades to the Amhara region where towns has been attacked and taken over by the Agazi squad. They have had assassins on the roof tops of Bahar Dir and Gonder/Gondar.

There also been reports that the TPLF and the EPRDF has moved all ammunitions and heavy artillery to the Tigray district. As they have sent major armies that we’re reported a month ago or so to be in the levels of 25,000 soldiers to Amhara alone. That is not setting the levels of army presence in the Oromo region.

In Addis Ababa the roads are now blocked by the government as the locals and demonstrations are throwing rocks at the cars moving in the area.

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This here proves the vital problems of the State of Emergency created by the Central Government as they are trying to kill their way into silencing the Amhara, Oromo and Ogaden, this is happening the same week as the Government supposed to celebrate a feet of having a new railway between Addis Ababa and Djibouti where the Chinese are operating and training Ethiopians to run it.

The Central Government are now using excessive force as they are not even happy with the martial laws set in regions, therefore added their repressive behaviour and killing squads of the Agazi Squad of the ENDF. The ENDF are there to stop the burning of foreign businesses, because that hurt the pocket of the controlling TPLF government.

There will be more, when the reports are coming, this is a worry and the world should care that the country that has the African Union and seemingly are in-charge of the  Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). So with that in mind the Government should care more for their citizens as their responsibility to be a example is now far-gone because of the ways the silencing and killings of their citizens are happening in Oromo and Amhara regions. They are continuing as the government are not only having issues in Ogaden, as they are acting questionable in Somali Region as well. Peace.

Reference:

Faroukfahima – ‘Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency’ (09.10.2016) link: http://www.forumspotz.ng/ethiopia-declares-state-of-emergency/

Ethiopia: MUSTWATCH:#irreechamassacre: Soldiers were armed (Youtube-Clip)

Ethiopia Opposition Calls for Inquiry After Fatal Stampede (Youtube-Clip)

Stampede at Ethiopia Protest Kills 52 (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI_yA6ut8FQ

Ethiopia -The Irreecha 2016 stampede & bloodshed: This is how it all stated! (Youtube-Clip)

Ethiopia: Meskel Celebration reports isn’t all holy as the Government muster fake support and kills in Amhara and Oromia!

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The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) with the Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne has sent his TPLF and Agazi Force to Amhara and Oromia to silence the demonstrations of the oppressive behaviour of the Government. They continue to oppress the people and even use their force and armies to demonstrate against other regions in “solidarity” with Central Government, because the government doesn’t have the legitimacy to do this with their own in Addis or anywhere else; so they take the Somali Region of Ethiopia and use them as pawns. Here are the reports from recent days in Ethiopia and the continuation of the oppression form EPRDF.

As this is happening the Ethiopian government has sent 2,000 Liyu Police Militia to wear ENDF to Amhara and Oromia on the 25th September.

Also the Government have organized demonstrations in the Somali region to counter the militarized regions where they now occupy their own country. Something that should shock the world and show the violent extent that the Ethiopian Government goes to.

Ethiopian Broadcasting Company wrote today:

“Ethiopia’s Somali region led the nation on May 7 and OLF yet their confidence in the forces opposing the movement to tear down the federal system today Jimma town part of their peaceful demonstrations” (EBC, 27.09.2016).

So the Ethiopian Government are using their oppressive behavior to muster up support for their violence in another region to try cover over with their own created demonstrations. This so the Addis government can look like somebody who respects the will of the people, while they are suppressing other regions.

During recent days in Oromia three people have killed there by soldiers in Nekemte, Mendi and Shashamene. Today on the 27th September there are reported that 5 people we’re killed by soldier in Oromia.

Also reported: “Two Agazi soldiers were also killed today near Gaara Harree located on Boarder of Shashamanne and Shalla districts, West Arsi. They were there to disarm farmers” (Jawar Mohammed, 27.09.2016).

There reports that the Government are still shutting down internet connections, therefore if possible the people in the regions should connected through FireChat and MeshKit.

Gondar/Gonder in 19th September 2016
Gondar/Gonder in 19th September 2016

Even reports from outside of Addis:

“According to eyewitnesses, four miles from the center of Addis Ababa, the seat of the ruling party location, the atmosphere seems to be worse. Shooting was heard in the area of communication also states that at the palace. Heard a tremendous noise of the device is turned on, in part, Addis Ababa, said eyewitnesses told: The place internet been cut off”.

There been reports of gunfire around Oromiya Culture and Tourism Centre as the Meskel and Erecha celebration around the National Stadium in Addis.

Reports from ESAT:

Gondar Meskel Celebration:

Since the month of July, the city of Gondar is located on the ongoing public protests on Tuesday announced the nationwide celebrations of the Meskel Holy Cross Celebration;

On the New Year’s residents of the city lacks of discipline Yechibo turn spoken eyewitnesses, many residents have expressed the sentiment that the opposition gathered during the malicious messages. Information and video information gets burned bodies reached the current cross celebrations ever seen was more than physical tension and instability. The festival refers to information from the local implementation of the same alien environment in Addis Ababa and other regional cities” (ESAT, 27.09.2016).

So the Celebration has been weaken in the region as the Ethiopian Orthodox Celebration hasn’t been as big as it usually can be, as much as the silence of the people where at the New Year’s celebration. This is another way of showing dissidents.

Gonder/Gondar on the 27th September 2016
Gonder/Gondar on the 27th September 2016

Other reports:

In his interview,  CDO Debretsion addressed a number of issues including the  recent “disturbance” (uprising) in Gonder:

“The people who live in the particular area (Gonder) are Amhara people. We know they are defending others  (non-Amharas) so they do not suffer damage. There are many actions (criminal) that have been committed. A limited number of people have sought to inflict damage on the properties of Tigreans (in Gonder). Therefore (these actions) are not related with the people (of Gonder at large).  There is no mobilization against Tigreans anywhere. But we know there are a limited number of people involved (in committing crimes against Tigreans). We know they (few individuals) have committed specific (criminal) acts against Tigreans. We know it is the action of a few. There is a movement with own aims. The government and killil (government) are following up on this. But this is not the question that needs to be asked. As you have seen the analysis, the solution cannot be found only by focusing on the conflict (confrontation). We need to look at the broader situation, problems in the (local) leadership, denying proper governance to the people, answering questions in a timely manner, (failure) to recognize there are problems like this.  And there are mobilizations around this. This has itself created problems, and as we solve problems around it, we solve other problems as well. Other administrative problems, development questions. And it is possible to entertain and solve political questions (as well). That is what we see. The conflict (in Gonder) is a limited issue. It does not reveal  the (the whole)  situation. The (Ethiopian) society is very sad about the kind of discussion being conducted in different forums. This is not something EPRDF brought about. People (of Tigray and Gonder) have been living together (for a long time). Not only living together, but also married to each other and lived as one family… But there are few whose aim is to trigger people-to-people conflict (ethnic conflict).  It is improper. There has been damage… That is what the recent discussions have been about” (Mariam, Alemayehu G. – ‘Disinformation in T-TPLF Land of Living Lies: Pinocchio Preaches Truth Against Perception in Ethiopia? Link: http://ecadforum.com/2016/09/25/disinformation-in-t-tplf-land-of-living-lies-pinocchio-preaches-truth-against-perception-in-ethiopia/#sthash.M6QpAxfK.dpuf).

This here proves the miscommunications and lies from the Central government of Ethiopia. EPRDF has gone too far with sending the ENDF or the army doesn’t come in peace with artillery and 25,000 soldiers, especially when they send the Agazi Squad to the Amhara and the Oromia.

There we’re reports yesterday that the Government even had jammed the VOA Amharic channel to silence opposition news to the people in the country.

This here what has been reported in the recent days… and it is not good news that TV-Channels, soldiers die and civilians of regions while the Ethiopian Government uses the people of Somalia Region to be loyal to Central Government as the Agazi Squad and Soldiers are killing and harassing the Amhara and Oromia people.

Something that should be sanctioned and also not accepted as the people are suppressed by their own government with their army; while the Government even does whatever it can to rhetorical defend their actions as they are telling the world the demonstrations have become silent. What they are not telling is that they have occupied their own country with a battalions and soldiers. That is the reason the Gondar didn’t even celebrate the Meskel; the same celebration became violent even in the capital.  We can understand that the Ethiopian Government does not want the world to know, as they still try to silent social media and spread information online. Peace.

Ethiopian government rejects calls for an independent investigation (Youtube-Clip)

On the International Day of Democracy, UNPO Vice-President Delivers a Statement at the Human Rights Council (15.09.2016)

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Each year on the 15 September, the world celebrates the International Day of Democracy, highlighting the global importance of maintaining democratic values for nations and peoples. As one of its fundamental principles, UNPO is committed to advocating and supporting democracy around the world. Democracy is a form of government by and for the people, where freedom of expression, protection of human rights and the rule of law ensure that all its citizens are treated equally.  For many nations and peoples, however, autocratic governments not only fail to uphold democratic values but also are the very perpetrators of gross human rights violations. On this day, the international community turns its attention to victims of undemocratic governments and reflect on what can be done to promote inclusive, participatory, representative, accountable and transparent political systems. 

On this year’s International Day of Democracy, UNPO would like to draw particular attention to the case of Ethiopia. Despite its complete lack of democratic setup, the country is generally hailed as an African democratic role model and a beacon of stability in an otherwise troubled region. Aiming to raise awareness of the human rights abuses in Ethiopia committed by the authoritarian Tigray-dominated regime, Mr Abdirahman Mahdi, the leading representative of the Ogaden People’s Rights Organization and UNPO Vice-President, spoke today [15 September 2016] at the 33rd United Nations Human Rights Council on behalf of the Nonradical Party, Transnational and Transparty.

In his speech, Mr. Mahdi highlighted that “while Ethiopia, in theory, has a federalist constitution that guarantees wide-ranging autonomy for the nations-based federal states and equal participation in national politics – in practice almost all the nations have no real say in political, economic and military affairs, instead these fall under the sole control of a Tigray-dominated elite, who does not shy away from using excessive violence”.

Ethiopia is but one case of many governments that adopt features to portray itself as democratic to the international community when, in reality, the complete opposite is true. The Ethiopian government has denied its people all the fundamental democratic rights promulgated in its constitution. Elections are consistently rigged and external observers are banned from coming to Ethiopia to monitor them. Armed and security forces extend their reach through all levels all society while trying to showcase to the world that a federal system has ensured the right to self-determination to its ethnic groups, as stated in the constitution.

However, 500 people were killed since November 2015 in various protests, including the most recent protests outside of Qilinti jail against the detention of Oromo politicians and activists which, according to Mr. Mahdi, is “the latest evidence of the readiness of the government to exert brute force against civilians”. Systematic use of rape as a weapon by the Ethiopian army and paramilitary forces as a way to exercise total control through fear and violence was also highlighted by Mr Mahdi in his speech at the HRC. In addition to systematic persecution, the victims of the Ethiopian regime are silenced due to the criminalization of free speech, impeding the news of their plight to be widespread throughout the international community. Journalists from abroad are banned access and local journalists are jailed, while NGOs on the ground are forbidden to report the facts.

Against this background, recently the Oromo athlete Feyisa Lilesa’s powerful gesture of resistance at the 2016 Rio Olympics brought much-needed media attention to the plight of the Oromos and the other ethnic groups in Ethiopia. Concomitantly, the European Commission’s decision not to send money from its Emergency Fund to Ethiopia in consideration of the serious violations of freedom of speech and right to protest in Ethiopia contributed to drawing the international community’s attention to the lack of democracy in the country. On the International Day of Democracy, UNPO reaffirms its commitment to its core values and will continue to raise awareness of violations committed by states which, in many cases, claim to be “young democracies” to conceal its appalling human rights records and dictatorial structure.