Ethiopia: The Emperor of War [who tricked the world to believe he came in peace]

Once upon a time there was a change of Prime Minister’s. As one was stepping down after humiliation and overpowering with use of force on protesters. The new man promised reforms and dialogue. The new Prime Minister wanted to talk to all opposition and shake the hands of the enemies of the state.

The Prime Minister made agreements, signed of deals with militias, rebels, political parties and everyone else who had been seen as enemies in the past. He sat down with them and he invited back leaders from exile. Freed political leaders and journalists from prison. He made peace and negotiations with neighbours. It seemed like he would bring peace and development.

Alas, it was all a mirage. A make belief, only to buy time and get the booster of his ego. The man wanted glory, he wants everyone to worship him. His the emperor and the lord of the manor. The Prime Minister is the big-man and the one everyone has to follow. You are supposed to praise him and look at his wonders.

However, the trick of peace gave him laurels, they even gave him a Nobel Peace Prize for making cease-fire and peace with Eritrea. The man looked like he could amend and ensure peace. He even made a Ministry of Peace and appointed a man to lead it.

Nevertheless, his scruples and his hunger for power has come to the surface. As he later betrayed the ideals of what gave him praise. He started to kill protesters, arrest the ones who dissent, journalist behind bars and making political prisoners. The Prime Minister made “fake coups” to install leaders friendly to him in Amhara. The PM used a fake assassination to crack-down on opposition as well. There been so many state sponsored violence towards civilians. That has been done all across the Republic. Massacres and extra judicial killings.

The only difference now. Is that it’s all deliberate action made by the Prime Minister to use air-strikes, call the opposition terrorist, take away their powers and have already ceased co-operation with them before that. The Federal Government had already cut of ties, ceased to send government funds and suspended aid to the region. Therefore, the PM had deliberately started the fight with bureaucracy against the Tigray.

Now, he has ordered the troops and the Federal Government have taken over with an interim government of the state too. Taking over everything and dismissing the regional election in September by force, which is a further escalation. As well, as the state is going after everyone with the Tigrayan people from all parts of society. If they are in the army, police or any state affiliated organization. They will be sacked and put on leave, if not arrested. The state has gone to total war.

This is why over 3500 Tigrayan refugees has fled to Sudan within this week. The armed forces attack on the region has caused this uproar so people flee their homes. This the sort of man came in peace, but is issuing war.

Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy is a war-lord. Everything he does is a retaliation, because the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) wouldn’t follow his orders and his word. Instead, they wanted to reign on their own terms. That wasn’t acceptable. This is why he issues orders of arms, soldiers and tanks. His not seeking mediation and uses all pre-texts, even making up issues to send troops. That is the sort of man the Prime Minister is.

He prefers war, the man prefer conflict and destruction. He might build beautiful parks in Addis, but elsewhere is making schools into prisons and making fields into graveyards. With the blood of the civilians his supposed to represent. The people that he should trust and keep safe. The PM is supposed to be there for them, but instead he comes with force and take their freedoms away.

Before it was Oromia and the Oromo who was feeling the blunt force of the PM. They we’re not only getting their leaders behind bars and their activists dying in the streets. Now, the same PM is trying to bury the TPLF and the Tigrayan people.

The Emperor made it seem like he came in peace, but in reality he came in war. He wanted the idea of being a mediator, but in reality his just another war-lord. Peace.

Ethiopia: IGAD Is Concerned By Recent Development In Ethiopia (07.11.2020)

7 November 2020 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD expresses its concern on the recent development in Ethiopia, specifically the situation in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia which IGAD is following closely.

IGAD calls the Government of Ethiopia and concerned parties to show restraint, work on de-escalating the tensions and resolve their differences through dialogue and reconciliation.

IGAD and the world community are counting on the perspicacity and wisdom of the Government of Ethiopia and concerned parties to come together and make a final peaceful solution.

IGAD believes that Ethiopia has been a beacon of stability and economic development in the region and a pillar for peace and Security. Finally, IGAD is looking forward to a return of normalcy of the Country soon and will keep on following the development.

Sudan Situation Update #1: Refugee response in Sudan on alert following developments in Ethiopia (6 November 2020)

Ethiopia: The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy – Press Release on the Resumption of the Tripartite Negotiation on the GERD (04.11.2020)

Ethiopia: The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy – Press Release on the Resumption of the Tripartite Negotiation on the GERD (01.11.2020)

Ethiopia: The United States of Africa – Re: United of States of Africa Rebukes Trumps Remarks on GERD (24.10.2020)

IGAD: IGAD Encorages Dialogue and Compromise in GERD Issue (25.10.2020)

Opinion: Trump is al-Sisi’s puppet…

It’s a very dangerous situation because Egypt is not going to be able to live that way. They’ll end up blowing up the dam. And I said it and I say it loud and clear — they’ll blow up that dam. And they have to do something, they should have stopped it long before it started”Donald J. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office with leaders of Sudan and Israel on speakerphone on Friday 23rd October 2020.

For some strange reason the United States President is like a whipped man in favour of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. All through the term of Trump he has praise the man. His so positive to the Egyptian leader, that its weird. He even called him favourite dictator at a G-7 Meeting during his term. That is the sort of man Trump is and who wants to be associated with.

Al-Sisi can get whatever he wants because of his favours with the US. That is why the US President is speaking favourable of Egypt and their power. Defending their rights without respecting the Ethiopian counterparts. It is like the President has his heart in Cairo and couldn’t careless about Addis Ababa. That is why he has suspended aid to Ethiopia too over the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations.

Instead of getting all parties to negotiate and even find a middle ground. Where everyone is respected and talking about grievances. Trump wants to create war between nations over their rights of the river Nile. Where the President is initially showing his means and his support military behind Egypt.

I wouldn’t be shocked, if President Trump was neo-colonial mindset and wants the Ethiopian state to accept agreements made in colonial over the usage of river Nile. That doesn’t make sense and only would do so. Since, Trump needs al-Sisi as an ally to Nethanyahu and Israel. That is all to work for the interests of Israel, which is his major achievements in foreign affairs. If it wasn’t for that. It would be abysmal to say the least.

This is why his defending the Egyptian stance. That is why he even goes far over his mandate. Showing he has no interests to a bilateral or third-party. He could just be in bed and make out with al-Sisi. Because, he has no interest or understanding over the consequences for Ethiopia in this regard. That comes second or third for him. He rather amp up a phony war to be friendly with Cairo. Than actually talk of peace and negotiate the GERD dam and the shared water.

However, Egypt should remember that they have the United States backing them with Trump. Who knows what would happen if Biden gets into office. There might not be as shared interests or the same support. The ones in Cairo better believe there is uncertain tomorrow. What Trump did is showing blind loyalty and not considering the implications of what he did. Just like he always does and hoping someone in his team bails him out.

The Ethiopian came with a honourable stance and press release after the Trump remarks reached Addis. They are righteous in their claim. The US cannot been seen a third-party. When they are embedded with the Egyptians. It doesn’t matter what the Sudanese or Ethiopians would say. It is only the Egyptians that matters to Trump. That is clearly his politicking in this matter.

It is now proven that Trump is in the pocket of al-Sisi and their needs. That because he needs to a cordial friendship. Since that is important to his allies in Israel. This is why he ditches and disrespects the Ethiopians. That shows how lack of senses does to you and also what sort of man Trump is.

The man clearly doesn’t have any care or understanding of the matter. Only acting like a fool and hoping his allies wins. This is the sort of diplomatic dispute get taken out of proportions and doesn’t get settled. However, at this point. The US better step out the negotiation table and get another supposed “third party” in. Since, the US is the puppet of Cairo. Peace.

Sudan: The Sovereign Council accepted to pay U.S. Ransom [to get off the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorist List]

The Sovereign Council have paid the $335m USD in ransom to be removed from the U.S. State Sponsor of Terrorism List. The Sudanese Government have accepted the agreement with United States, after U.S. President Donald J. Trump would delete Sudan from the list, if they paid up the 335 million dollars into an escrow account.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamadok and President Abdel-Fatah al-Burhan have accepted this deal. Being pushed to pay a huge amount of money to “clean their name”. That is why this was practically a ransom. They were bushwhacked by the Americans.

To be able to “clean their name” and get away from the history during the Al-Bashir reign. The usage of militias, weapons-trade and create insecurity in regions of Sudan and elsewhere. This is just deleted over a transaction of money. The state sponsored militias who was killing for years. The ones causing a civil war, which led to the cession of South Sudan. All of this is just erased over a payment of some cash.

This payment is coming from an economy and state, which needs funds to cover the troubles of COVID-19, floods and whatnot. There has already been aftermath of the revolution, which let to the fall of Al-Bashir. The one who was in-charge when the bombing happen to the U.S. Embassy in 1998.

In my mind, this isn’t a fair diplomatic exchange between to grieving parties. No, this is one imperial move in 2020. How else can you describe this?

You will stay on a “Sponsoring Terrorist List” unless you pay us damages! That is the message here and the Sudanese complied as the “minor” partner in this. A way to clear themselves and get more acknowledge in the International Community.

Instead of fixing internal issues with militias and regional proxies. The Sudanese are paying some money and the sins are forgiven. To a state, which had a revolution and had a crisis of inflation. An inflation that made it impossible for many to buy bread. Therefore, asking from money here is ice-cold and insane.

That is why this is a ransom. The US isn’t changing things on the ground. Yes, Khartoum have moved in a positive step in Darfur and Blue Nile. However, the stalemate in Abyei continues and without a new peaceful means.

The US have cleared the Sudanese without having any significant changes other than with positive headlines. The Sudan has paid some money, but they are needing to change their behaviour. The ones in charge in the Sovereign Council can act like status quo. They are being cleaned up and all it took was paying some money. That is the mere reality here.

Not making policy changes. Not stopping militias or communal conflicts. No, the Sudanese can do whatever they feel, as long as they pay the fees put on them. This is how it looks. The Sudanese is accepting being taken hostage for circumstances before their reign. Some were in the hierarchy of Al-Bashir. Still, they are the ones paying up now for the sins of the past. Instead, of fixing the reasons for why happen in the first place.

That is what is striking here. The US should look into the reasons for why it happened, instead they are accepting a blank check and all grins. That is how morally bankrupt this administration is. Peace.

Sudan: Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, at a media briefing in Khartoum, Sudan: “There is an urgent need for justice in Sudan; sustainable peace and reconciliation are built on the stabilizing pillar of justice” (21.10.2020)

The victims in Darfur have waited far too long to have justice.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, October 21, 2020 – Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for being here today at this media briefing. I am grateful for this opportunity to reach out, through you, to the people of Sudan.

My name is Fatou Bensouda, and I am Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) (www.ICC-CPI.int).

The victims in Darfur have waited far too long to have justice. Through this historic visit, we hope to mark a new era of cooperation between my Office and Sudan towards greater accountability for atrocity crimes. The ICC was established as an independent and impartial international court to deal with atrocity crimes, namely: war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.

My role as Prosecutor is to bring to justice those responsible for atrocity crimes, and by doing so, to seek accountability and hope to prevent future crimes.

The ICC is at the heart of what we call the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice. The ICC is a court of last resort. This means that national justice systems have the primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute individuals who commit such crimes. If this does not happen, then the ICC is there as a fail-safe judicial mechanism.

In this way, my Office conducts investigations and prosecutions into atrocity crimes around the world. Politics do not influence any of my independent and impartial decisions. All my actions are based on the law – the Rome Statute of the ICC – and the objective evidence collected by my investigators. I will go wherever the law provides me with the power to go and follow the evidence wherever it leads me in the pursuit of justice for the victims. Thus, the goal of the ICC is to contribute to ending impunity – in other words, to make sure that no one, irrespective of status or rank, can avoid accountability for atrocity crimes, no matter how long it may take.

This is how international justice can contribute to protecting future generations from the scourge of lawless wars and conflict, and prevent human suffering.

My Office has been investigating the Situation in Darfur, Sudan since 2005, when the United Nations Security Council through Resolution 1593 (2005), triggered our jurisdiction by referring the situation to the Prosecutor of the ICC.

Much has happened since then. As we continue our investigations today, it is important for our work at the ICC, and especially the affected communities of Darfur, that the Sudanese authorities extend their full, sustained and tangible cooperation to my Office.

In Khartoum this week, I have engaged in productive meetings with the highest officials of the Government of Sudan and other important stakeholders. My programme included notably, meetings with H.E. Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok (https://bit.ly/3jdn1vT); H.E. Mr Omer Gamaruddeen Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs (https://bit.ly/3jfQohd); H.E. Mr Nasredeen Abdelbari, Minister of Justice; and Prosecutor General of Sudan, Mr Tag el-Sir el-Hibir (https://bit.ly/2TcStzR), and representatives of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Lt. General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan (https://bit.ly/3mccF19) and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as well as and Mr Mohamed Hassan Altaishi (https://bit.ly/31uzOnT).

I also held fruitful discussions with representatives of civil society organisations, international bodies, and diplomatic corps in Khartoum (https://bit.ly/31uxqgG). Through you, the media, I am pleased to also address the public and affected communities.

These meetings have enabled me and my team to explain ICC proceedings, and the status of our cases in connection with the Situation in Darfur, Sudan and to chart a course for effective cooperation to bring the suspects against whom ICC warrants have already been issued to justice.

My meetings with the authorities have laid the foundation for cooperation between the ICC and the Sudanese national authorities.

This first historic visit to Khartoum after more than a decade provided an opportunity for Sudan’s Transitional Government to demonstrate its commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law.

I am encouraged by the frank, open and constructive exchanges we have had. I particularly welcome the assurances of support and cooperation expressed to me by the authorities during this visit, including from H.E. Prime Minister Hamdok, committing Sudan to achieve justice for atrocity crimes, and to fully collaborate with my Office for this purpose (https://bit.ly/37re7sz).

We must now follow through and build on the promising discussions of this past week with concrete action. A Memorandum of Understanding on the modalities of cooperation, technical visits, and immediate access to Sudan by our investigators, amongst other action points were discussed, and we look forward to making timely progress on all of these items.

We count on Sudan’s tangible and timely cooperation as well as continued constructive engagement with my Office.

We stand ready to assist Sudan towards the goal of achieving accountability for atrocity crimes committed in Darfur.

I want to seize this opportunity to assure the people of Darfur that my Office continues to work hard on the Darfur situation. I solemnly call upon all affected Darfuri communities and those who have dedicated themselves to the cause of these communities, to come forward and contact my Office with the accounts of their sufferings, with the stories of what they have witnessed and what they have endured. With their evidence, we can contribute to bringing the long awaited justice to the victims in Darfur. My Office, together with colleagues in the Registry of the Court will soon embark on outreach activities to further explain the work of the ICC and its processes.

I wish to also add that I welcome the Juba Peace Agreement, officially signed on the 3rd of October 2020 between the Sovereignty Council and the Sudan Revolutionary Front and other movements, with a view to bring justice to the victims of atrocities that have occurred in Darfur and to build sustainable peace in Sudan. I also welcome the importance the Peace Agreement affords to the ICC, and the emphasis placed on cooperation between Sudan and the Court in relation to the five ICC suspects.  I am encouraged by the assurances given by the authorities that full effect will be given to these references, and that justice will play a central role in Sudan’s transition and the particular importance of the ICC in this ongoing process.

The focus of my investigation is on crimes allegedly committed by these five ICC suspects between 2003 and 2004, 2007, and as far as Mr Al Bashir is concerned up to 2008.

In June of this year, the alleged militia leader, Mr Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman aka Ali Kushayb was transferred to the Court following his voluntary surrender. The ICC has outstanding arrest warrants against Messrs Omar Al Bashir, Ahmad Harun, Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein, and Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain. These suspects are still wanted for the atrocity crimes listed in their ICC warrants of arrest. They must all face justice without further delay. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the Sudanese authorities to ensure we make progress on these cases with full respect for our respective roles and mandates and the principle of complementarity.

The opportunity to prosecute other alleged suspects in the Darfur situation at the national level is possible through the Darfur Special Court, as provided for in the Juba Peace Agreement. This would be a positive step in terms of burden-sharing between the ICC and the Sudanese courts.

Now that the channels of communication are open and a spirit of cooperation guides our discussions with the Sudanese authorities, we are open to exploring the possibilities in full compliance with our obligations under the Rome Statute, and guided by our unflinching commitment to achieving justice for the victims in Darfur.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Sudanese people, the Government of Sudan and other stakeholders for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation during this visit. I am also grateful for the logistical support and the security arrangements put in place in connection with this visit.

Fighting against impunity for the atrocity crimes committed against the people of Darfur is a joint responsibility. There is an urgent need for justice in Sudan. Sustainable peace and reconciliation are built on the stabilizing pillar of justice.

I thank you for your attention. I look forward to answering your questions and to address any comments you may have.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC conducts independent and impartial preliminary examinations, investigations and prosecutions of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. Since 2003, the Office has been conducting investigations in multiple situations within the ICC’s jurisdiction, namely in Uganda; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; the Central African Republic (two distinct situations); Kenya; Libya; Côte d’Ivoire; Mali; Georgia, Burundi Bangladesh/Myanmar and Afghanistan (subject to a pending article 18 deferral request). The Office is also currently conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Bolivia; Colombia; Guinea; Iraq/UK; the Philippines; Nigeria; Ukraine; and Venezuela (I and II), while the situation in Palestine is pending a judicial ruling.

For further details on “preliminary examinations” and “situations and cases” before the Court, click here (https://bit.ly/2HjtZCq), and here (https://bit.ly/2IUrbN3).