
Ethiopia: Coalition of Eritrean Canadian Communities and Organizations (CECCO) and National Council of Eritrean Americans (NCEA) – Press Release – Sensantionalized Reporting Costing Lives in Ethiopia (08.03.2021)



It is to be recalled that the leadership of the OLF returned to Ethiopia’s capital, Finfinne, in September 2018 after the party ended decades-long hostilities with the Ethiopian state in August 2018 with the main goal of addressing the next chapter of the quest of the Oromo people for democracy and self-determination through peaceful political struggle. At that point in time, our people hoped that the culmination of the two years transitional process that the country had entered since April 2018 will be the conduct of a free and fair election for the first time in the country’s history.
However, it did not take too long for these hopes to begin to wane, and ultimately dashed. After a cheap political victory is reaped by the ruling group under the banner of ‘allowing opposition political parties to enter the country’, the regime wasted no time. Propaganda campaigns on both social and conventional media against the OLF began within a few days of its arrival in Finifinne on 15 September 2018.
At the peak of these propaganda attack and disinformation campaign, and despite concerted efforts by the OLF to give precedence for dialogue, the regime entered into an open military campaign in the western and southern parts of Oromia. In hindsight, it is now clear that the regime never wanted the end of hostilities and reintegration of freedom fighters into the police and security apparatus of the state as had been agreed upon in the ‘Asmara Covenant’ in August 2018. In lieu of integrating freedom fighters into the society and effectively ending armed aggressions, the regime chose to conveniently use the continued presence of hostilities as a pretext to push the OLF out of the peaceful political struggle by citing a nonexistent link with armed insurgents.
The Covid-19 pandemic came in the midst of a continued crackdown in Oromia to weaken the opposition before the anticipated August 2020 election. While the pandemic has given rise to various objective conditions that render holding meaningful nation-wide elections difficult, the process that led to the postponement of the elections, however, was mired by questionable legal and political processes. Legally speaking, since the constitution left no room for extension of parliamentary term limits, postponement of the election required a new political settlement with the exiting political forces which the regime rejected with little to no doubts.
As the opposition and disapproval to this illegal extension of power intensified from all directions, the regime used the assassination of one of our brightest sons—artist Hacaaluu Hundeessaa—to further continue its crackdown including, now, at the higher echelons of every formidable political opposition—left, right and center. To this day, the assassination of Hacaaluu and many other high profile political killings remains uninvestigated by an independent third party.
Having done such a heavy-handed crackdown against all forces that espouse regional autonomy and self-determination in the country’s southern half, the ruling party is now prosecuting the same war, a war waged on political differences instead of political negotiations and dialogue, in Tigray as an extension to its crackdown in Oromia and the wider south. It is a matter of public record that the OLF is no friend of the TPLF. Together with our allies, we are the leading political organization in the fight against the TPLF-led, now defunct EPRDF government. However, on principle, we recognize that the current war in Tigray is an war extended from the suppression in Oromia.
After a major diplomatic blunder by the ruling party in which it agreed to a US mediated settlement on the GERD, Ethiopia has lost Sudan as an ally, and we are now on the verge of a full-blown military confrontation with another neighboring state.
We live in a country in which members of genuine opposition including high-ranking political leadership are arrested on the whim of the ruling party arbitrarily; kept in appalling conditions including when they were fully acquitted by courts, or even by the state prosecution in some cases. We live in a country where offices of the opposition—beginning from their headquarters—are raided and controlled by the ruling party at will.
It is within this general context that the country is now ‘preparing’ for a nation-wide general election. We would like to remind the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and every concerned stakeholder that elections are not merely about the day of casting ballots. The most important aspect of an election is the process that leads to Election Day. The credibility of elections, the cornerstone in democratization process, is much more dependent on all the pre-election processes and activities, in which the presence of even playing field for the contesting political parties. It is well known that Elections are judged by the totality of the processes that lead to the casting of secret ballots. It is largely based on the process that elections are arbitrated to have been free, fair, and impartial. This process needs to be one that allows space for all political parties with impartiality to operate freely, independent media that serves all without bias to flourish, an election board and judiciary that is capable of functioning independently.
Much less to be fair, free, and credible, this is an election the result of which is already predetermined. For a rational observer, this is a non-election that should not be conducted in such conditions. The only reason the ruling group is hellbent on going through with the election is to create the impression that it is an elected government. Otherwise, there is no reason to conduct such an expensive election to be financed from donors and the coffers of a poor country in which millions of its people are starving today.
Consequently, the OLF believes that:
Therefore, the OLF regrettably pronounces that its participation in the upcoming general election is completely prevented because the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) intentionally ignored and has given deaf ear with an intent of securing undue advantages for itself and its allies in the election, and hindered the satisfaction of the bellow mentioned conditions; addressing the following legitimate demands of not only of opposition political parties, but also of the society at large that, if heeded and responded to positively, help the democratization process of the country.
Victory to the Masses!
Oromo Liberation Front
March 8, 2021








“Sudanese military sources said that the Ethiopian government provided logistical support to Joseph Touka’s forces in Blue Nile, including weapons, ammunition and combat equipment. The sources indicated that the support arrived in the Yabous region on February 27, 2021 AD, and the support was received by Commander Joseph Touka and some of his forces’ commanders” (…) “The sources emphasized that the Ethiopian government aims to use Commander Joseph Touka to occupy the city of Kurmuk with the support of Ethiopian artillery, with the aim of dispersing the efforts of the Sudanese army on the eastern front” (Sudan Plus, 07.03.2021)
Who is Commander Touka? Well, his Commander Joseph Touka Ali, First Deputy Chairman of the SPLM and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army – North. So, his not a nobody and a high ranking commander in the SPLM-N.
The SPLM-N killed Sudanese soldiers in early January 2021 in Malkan, Blue Nile State. So, these rebels are still active and it is suspicious that the Ethiopian government is supporting and supplying them with arms. That is a deliberate act to destabilize and strengthening one rebel outfit or militia. I am sure the Ethiopian government would be happy, if the Sudanese suddenly begun to give Samri or the TPLF abundantly arms as well. They would be crying out loud and call it interference in their “internal affairs”.
This is a devious act of Addis Ababa to weaken Khartoum leadership in one of their states. Not only have the skirmishes and battles in the Al-Fashaqa region. They want to intervene and use other proxies in the Blue Nile State.
Since December 2020 … the Ethiopian army have entered into Sudan. They have gone together with the Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” and tried to take control of border posts there. They have later been beaten back and the Sudanese have taken control of the region again. Therefore, they would maybe prefer having battles on various of fronts. This to weaken the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). However, they were able to intercept the ploy, but this is worrying.
The worry is that the Ethiopian counterparts are willing to do this. As the Sudanese was doing the opposite when the conflict in Tigray started in November 2020. At that point, the Sudanese intercepted weapons going for the TPLF. They stopped it and confiscated it. While the Ethiopians are doing the opposite. That says it all of their objectives.
This isn’t a sign of brotherhood, but using optional proxy to weaken an enemy. As the Ethiopian army and Fano has already been attacking the Sudanese … so now they are trying to find other ways too.
The Ethiopian government supporting SPLM-N just says it all. They are not coming in peace, but seeking for more bloodshed. Their motivation is maybe revenge of the humiliation at the border in Al-Fashaqa region. They want to annex more land and the Prime Minister Abiy wants to be biggest warlord on the Horn of Africa, apparently. Peace.


“I ask you today that by keeping your ears, your hearts and your minds sane, you must take pride in sacrificing yourself in honour of your country and be a source of hope for the younger generation. The national army and the federal police are seeking young Ethiopians to join them. You must know there are forces from near and far that want to destroy Ethiopia and we need to build our strength urgently” – Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy (06.03.2021).
The endless suffering, atrocities and horrific stories are coming out from Tigray region. Where the state and allies are continuing warfare against their outlawed enemy. This is a continued conflict, which seems to be his forever war. Where the National Army, Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” and Eritrean Army is all going after the Samri and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The state wants its own narratives and stories out. While always dismissing any other reporting. However, here its straight out of the horses-mouth yesterday. Where the Prime Minister told youths who was done with first part of Service Training at the Friendship Park in Addis Ababa. That they should prepare the sacrifice themselves for the nation. They are the ones who are being sent to the slaughter for his mission and his end-game. That is the reality of this all.
He says all of that, while dismissing social media as a platform for activism. Because, a true patriot and a youth aspiring to stand up for nation is doing it with the guns either for the or the police force.
As he said this as well:
“There are many young people who prefer to fight in the Facebook. You can’t safeguard our independence via Facebook. Unless you are ready to pay a price and sacrifice yourselves, you can’t protect Ethiopia’s Independence and ensure its continuity through mere writing and saying things in Facebook. You have to join the army and the police force and show our enemies that they cannot mess up with Ethiopia” (Abiy, 06.03.2021).
That he says it this way, as the warfare is prolonged and his goal-post is ever moving. At one point he will create new enemies and ensure more of his opponents are behind bars. That is just how things goes ahead of the polls. This Prime Minister will leave nothing to chance and use the whole state machinery to get his way. He will bury the ones in his way and if not detain them.
This is why speeches like this isn’t showing strength or resolve. It is showing that he wants the next generation to fight his battles and die for him. The Prime Minister wants more youths as soldiers and police officers to enforce his will all across the Republic. That is what he wants and he hopes they can fulfil his mission of total control and be crowned King.
Abiy wants to be the Emperor so badly. The Prime Minister wants to be the one who conquers and overcomes everyone. This is why he needs the next generation and the to be his sacrificial lambs. They are doing it for Ethiopia, but initially it is for his causes. These young Ethiopians will risk their lives so he can reign supreme. That is the end-game here.
It is tragic that it has come to this. A warlord asking the youth to conscript to the army or joint the police force. He clearly doesn’t plan for peace, but for more conflict. As he needs more battalions and more soldiers to fight his battles. Peace.

“There are some that say we are adding more debt to the country’s already high debt. But borrowing from the IMF and the World Bank is like borrowing from one’s mother” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (December 2020).
The Law Enforcement Operation in the Tigray Region is clearly undermining the positive results of the past. The current Addis Ababa leadership is working against all the financial and economic progress the state has had. The Prosperity Party and Prime Minister Abiy is clearly not doing the World Bank any favours as well.
When the World Bank wrote this yesterday:
“Ethiopia is currently facing challenging times and the World Bank Group is keenly following the latest developments in the country. The unrest in Ethiopia is unfortunate and of great concern. Such events undermine all the encouraging economic and social development outcomes the country has achieved in recent years” (World Bank, 05.03.2021).
They are calling the warfare in Tigray and atrocities elsewhere as unrest. As they are subtle about the waging war in Tigray. Also the assault on freedom, political affiliation and liberty in Oromia. The World Bank doesn’t want to say it directly, as they are not seeing stating the efforts to undermine people in the various reasons from the state. This being in Ogaden, Afar, Benshangul-Gumuz, Oromia and Tigray. All these are under fire for various of reasons and with the helping hand of the central government.
That is initially worrying the World Bank as it see the economic and financial sphere being decapitated and depleted, because of the “social unrest” and assault on its own citizens. This is what it really says, as the regions are in conflict with its own government.
“Over the past decade, our interventions have helped Ethiopia to make significant progress in key human development indicators: primary school enrollments have quadrupled, child mortality has been cut in half, and the number of people with access to clean water has more than doubled. Notwithstanding these notable accomplishments, Ethiopia still faces many challenges and will need continued support to reach its development objectives to improve the living conditions of its expanding population, which is currently estimated to be in excess of 112 million” (World Bank, 05.03.2021).
Those challenges alone will not cease, when the government is continuing and worsening its internal conflicts like in Tigray. Where they are having direct warfare with its own population in combination of Eritrean soldiers, Amhara Para-Military Forces and the National Army all going after one enemy. While also assaulting the whole region in its efforts. Therefore, whatever achievements that has been done in the past. Might be destroyed to rubble and has to be rebuilt, as the shelling, burning villages and internally displaced people’s needs stability and a new home. Also, the loss of people in the massacres, killings and as a result of the war. There are so many tragedies and the costs will come to the surface when the Law Enforcement Operation ceases to exist.
The Ethiopian government have created new problems and will have prolonged aftermath after all these months in Tigray. They got to rebuild, build trust and ensure the safety of all citizens. That isn’t an overnight act, but a systemic effort. Where the state have to be able to secure the passages, the logistics and everything that is needed. An that is just to that one region alone.
The Prosperity Party isn’t bringing prosperity ironically, but its bringing tragedy instead. Also, in just a short time in office. Prime Minister Abiy have made his “mother” concerned and also being told that he has destroyed the previous achievements of his predecessors. That got to hurt his pride and his ego. Peace.

