Ethiopia-Sudan Tensions: Continued clashes on Sudanese territory

It started with new skirmishes in December 2020. When there was two times skirmishes between the Sudanese and Ethiopian troops. There was even Amhara Para-Military (Fano) involved in attacks on Sudanese soil. Therefore, it seemed deliberate from the Ethiopian side to attack border-points and venture into the Al-Fashaqa region.

Now, the last 48 hours there been reported of two more incidents. First yesterday on the 9th February 2021 one more Ethiopian Soldier died inside Sudanese territory. Today on the 10th February 2021 there been reports of 5 Ethiopian Soldiers killed and one Sudanese Soldiers on Sudanese territory. It seems more like a steady planned attacks from the Ethiopian side. As the Sudanese has re-established and sent brigades to control this border towards the Tigray Region.

They have now been doing this since the 13th December 2020. It isn’t one rare incident where one soldier went astray and got lost on a adventure close to the Sudanese border. No, this has happened on a steady occurrence since then. That should strike a warning. It should also make you wonder why they are trespassing and using violent means across the borders. If the Ethiopian state have plan or even a military operation to be extended from the Law Enforcement Operation, which it started on the 4th November 2020. Since they already moved several of forces to the Northern Ethiopia for that reason alone.

That is why you can start to imagine that the leaders, the commanders-in-chief had the idea of taking more land to be greater and more powerful by doing it to someone who wasn’t prepared for the invasion. The Sudanese in transition after Al-Bashir and having erratic protests would be a fitting target for a foreign invasion. That is maybe why Prime Minister Abiy saw a reason to get back the Al-Fashaqa Region from Sudan. So, that he could access and annex a valuable farmland.

We should wonder why they are doing this and ordering such skirmishes. You can also ask yourself what it is to gain to do this. The Ethiopian government already asked to calm down and stop their operation in Tigray. While they are escalating here, which is creating a bigger international crisis. As they making enemies of their neighbours, which they are so supposed to be negotiating agreements in concern of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Yes, Ethiopia is a sovereign, but needs allies to get best deal as possible in concern to share the Nile water. Therefore, making neighbours in combat-mode. They are most likely not friendly or sharing of things with mutual interests. As they are remembering who shot at them last and it just happened to Ethiopian army.

If Abiy and his Prosperity Party thinks this is the way to get more friends. I hate to say, but you make more enemies. As you attack and try to invade other people’s land. That will end hostile and will be fatal. Just like the recent two days has proven. This sort of play will end up in no good and there is no positive silver lining. There is only death. Just like all wars, but that is what a war-lord is promoting.

A warlord that is happy to create more havoc and political crisis. Maybe he will invite Prime Minister Hamdok for another short meeting in Addis Ababa before sending him packing without any solution. Also, order a new group to attack Sudan after that meeting. Because that happened in December and could easily happened again.

It seems like this will not be over soon. The Republic’s have already started and the war-drums are hit. However, we still have to hope that peace will conquer this. Nevertheless, the warlord of Addis seems to be striking the drums, again and again. Peace.

Ethiopia: After visiting Tigray, IFRC President calls for increased humanitarian response (10.02.2021)

Addis Ababa/Nairobi/Geneva, 10 February 2021 – The President of the world’s largest humanitarian network has ended a visit to Ethiopia’s Mekele city in Tigray region with a plea for increased humanitarian response to better meet the needs of people affected by recent fighting.

Speaking at the end of his five day visit to Ethiopia, Francesco Rocca, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said:

I am very concerned about the conditions that I saw during my visit, including people internally displaced by the fighting, especially children, their mothers and the elderly. It was clear to me that people in Tigray need much more support than they are currently receiving.

While there have been positive announcements by a small number of aid organizations in recent days in this regard, it is my hope that more aid can begin to arrive consistently. We need to scale up humanitarian operations. We need to do much more to bring help to those who desperately need it.”

In particular, President Rocca raised concerns about the impact of the fighting on medical services, noting that hospitals he visited were lacking even basic medical supplies. He also shared serious concerns relayed by local health officials about rising levels of serious malnutrition.

An assessment by the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, found that more than 2.6 million people in Tigray and the adjacent regions of Amhara, Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz and SNNPR need humanitarian assistance. According to the Ethiopian Red Cross, primary needs among affected people in Tigray include food and basic relief items, water and sanitation, medical supplies and technical assistance for mobile clinics.

Mr Rocca also spoke of the compounding impact that the Tigray crisis has had on other vulnerabilities in Ethiopia, as well as in neighbouring countries. By the end of January 2021, an estimated 200,000 people had been internally displaced in Ethiopia alongside 60,000 people who have fled into Sudan. In addition, there are at least 230 Ethiopian refugees in Djibouti.

Mr Rocca further mentioned the heavy humanitarian caseload that was already confronting Ethiopia and surrounding countries, and the subsequent need for coordinated and comprehensive action by aid organizations:

The Horn of Africa is facing chronic multiple crises, including widespread and severe food insecurity, and massive locust swarms that have contributed to further crop losses.

The region is also grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic which, among other impacts, has led to the closure of schools. More than 6.4 million children are now without school meals and this has worsened malnutrition considerably.”

In response to the situation in Ethiopia and surrounding countries, the IFRC, the Ethiopian Red Cross, the Sudanese Red Crescent and the Red Crescent Society of Djibouti are jointly appealing for 27 million Swiss francs. This funding will allow Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff to assist 660,000 people, including the Ethiopians who are internally displaced and those who have fled into Sudan and Djibouti.

The operation will focus on supporting families to maintain their livelihoods and meet basic needs, the provision of clean water and improved sanitation facilities, the delivery of health and psychosocial support services, and efforts to strengthen local Red Cross and Red Crescent capacities to prepare for and respond to future emergencies.

Ethiopia: (Written By Kedir Bulo) Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team – Latest Development About Oromo Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike (10.02.2021)

Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, Hamza Borana and other Oromo political prisoners are on their 14th day of hunger strike in Kaliti prison.
As a result, Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba and Hamza Borana are very weak and can barely talk. Their health is in critical condition.
Journalist Melese Diribsa, Jawar’s former security guard Beshir and others are on their 8th day of hunger strike. They are also in critical condition.
Previously, prisoners like Bona Tibile, Arafat Abubaker, Shemsudin Taha, Dejene Tafa were all admitted to the hospital because of their deteriorated health condition following their prolonged hunger strike. In addition, this moring Soboka Kako, Alemayehu Geleta, were admitted to the hospital because of the same hunger strike related health complications. Prisoner Gutu Mulisa is also in critical condition but has not been admitted to the hospital.
The prisoners asserted that they started this hunger strike because of the worsening political condition and the derailed transition to democracy.
To list some of their grievances:
1. The population of political prisoners in Kaliti Federal Prison alone is around 5,000 and majority of them are Oromos and others who struggled and paid sacrifice to bring the recent political changes.
2. Their families and supporters are being harassed and denied access to court proceedings becuse of the yellow outfit they wear in support of the prisoners in yellow uniform.
3. A calculated move to systematically disfranchise Oromos and their demands from the upcoming election is taking place. Several Oromo Political parties are illegally cancelled from registration.
4. Oromo medias, TV station offices are closed and license suspended. Two Oromo political parties (OLF & OFC) who survived from cancellation are systematically weakened by detention of their leaders, members and supporters; closure of their offices, and restriction of movement to freely present their political programs to the public.
5. Oromo being the largest nation in Ethiopia are being denied representation in the upcoming election. Disenfranchising this group from political participation will have a very serious consequence for the political stability of the country and the horn of Africa.
Accordingly, the political prisoners put their demands as follow:
1. Release all prisoners of conscience languishing in Ethiopian jails and prisons.
2. Reverse the decision to cancel license of opposition political parties. Open opposition political parties offices (OLF, OFC and others) and allow them to operate.
3. Stop the alienation and systematic disenfranchisement of Oromo Nation from political participation in the country.
4. Opening up and widening the political space and bringing the derailed transition back to track, so that all who have vision for the betterment of Ethiopia could participate in a free and fair election.
—–
By Kedir Bulo (One of the Political Prisoners Defense Lawyer)

Ethiopia: USCRI Statement Calling for an Independent United Nations Investigation into the Disappearance of Refugees from the Tigray Region of Ethiopia (10.02.2021)

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is an international non-governmental organization that has advocated for the human rights of refugees and immigrants for 110 years. USCRI is gravely concerned about the United Nations’ report that 20,000 Eritrean refugees from the refugee camps in the Tigray region of Ethiopia have disappeared and cannot be found. There is strong evidence that some of the missing have been detained, killed, or forcibly repatriated to Eritrea in violation of international refugee law. USCRI calls for an immediate independent United Nations investigation into these disappearances.

Until November of 2020, the Hitsats and Shimelba refugee camps in northern Tigray were home to over 25,000 refugees from Eritrea. After the Ethiopian government launched a military offensive against the Tigray Regional Government in November, about 4,000 of these refugees fled to other camps in southern Tigray. The rest— over 20,000 people— are unaccounted for, and the UN believes they are dispersed in areas to which it does not have access. Credible accounts indicate that at least some of the missing are in critical danger, as refugees have reported that armed actors infiltrated the camps, killed, raped and abducted people, and Eritrean troops have forced some of the refugees back to Eritrea.

Satellite imagery from the Hitsats and Shimelba camps indicates that the camps were systematically destroyed by military forces over a two-month period, although it is unclear whether the destruction was caused by Eritrea’s military or Ethiopia’s. The Ethiopian government has denied the presence of Eritrean forces in Tigray, despite reports that they are “everywhere” in the region. In addition to forced repatriations by Eritrea, in December the Ethiopian government began returning fleeing Eritrean refugees back to the camps in Tigray, causing international concern for their safety.

The Ethiopian government has also prohibited journalists and humanitarian actors, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), from accessing the Hitsats and Shimelba refugee camps to investigate the situation or provide humanitarian aid. This has led to grave concerns for the wellbeing of the refugees still living in the camps. When Ethiopia finally granted access to the Mai-Aini and Adi-Harush refugee camps in southern Tigray in January, UNHCR found refugees in need of food and other necessities.

Ethiopia is a party to both the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (Refugee Convention) and the 1967 UN Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. Article 33 of the Convention requires that states adhere to the principle of “non-refoulement,” that no state “shall expel or return… a refugee against his or her will, in any manner whatsoever, to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.” Ethiopia must prevent the forced repatriation of Eritrean refugees from Ethiopia. The government must also commit to not returning refugees to the camps in Tigray, where they will be susceptible to abduction and forced repatriation.

Article 35 of the Refugee Convention and Article II of the Protocol require states to cooperate with UNHCR to allow it to respond to refugee crises. The Ethiopian government has clearly violated this provision by withholding access to Tigray. USCRI calls on the Ethiopian government to provide immediate and unfettered access to Tigray for UNHCR, other humanitarian aid and human rights organizations, and journalists.

“USCRI demands accountability of the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments for the lives of the 20,000 disappeared refugees. Both countries must commit to upholding the rights of refugees under the Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. As such, USCRI urges the United Nations to immediately open an independent investigation into these disappearances,” said Eskinder Negash, president and CEO of USCRI.

Eritrea: Embassy of the State of Eritrea to the United States of America – Sloppy Journalism at its Worst (08.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Government approves ‘first step’ towards Tigray emergency assistance (09.02.2021)

Around 60 more humanitarian workers from the UN and non governmental organizations are awaiting approval in the capital Addis Ababa for deployment to Tigray.

NEW YORK, United States of America, February 9, 2021 – UN agencies have received approval from the Ethiopian Government for 25 international staff to provide humanitarian assistance inside the country’s conflict-torn Tigray region, the UN Spokesperson said on Monday.

“This clearance is a first step towards ensuring that aid workers in Tigray can deliver and ramp up the response given the rapidly rising needs in the region”, Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the daily press briefing.

He recalled a number of positive engagements between the Government and senior UN officials, including with Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Gilles Michaud chief of UN Safety and Security and most recently, David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

“Mr. Beasley has just wrapped up a trip to Ethiopia and he says that WFP has accepted the Government’s request to help authorities and aid partners transport aid into and within Tigray”, informed Mr. Dujarric.

Moreover, WFP has also agreed to provide emergency food aid for up to one million people in Tigray.

The conflict between the Government and regional forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) began in early November, when the Prime Minister ordered a military offensive after rebels attacked a federal army base. Government forces reported that the region had been secured at the end of November, but TPLF resistance has continued amid accusations of extrajudicial killings and rights abuses.

Escalating humanitarian needs 

Meanwhile, around 60 more humanitarian workers from the UN and non-governmental organizations are awaiting approval in the capital Addis Ababa for deployment to Tigray.

They also look forward to rapid authorizations for any further requests put forward.

“While we welcome these clearances, we remain deeply concerned about the significant escalation in humanitarian needs in Tigray, where people have endured more than three months of conflict with extremely limited assistance”, said the UN spokesperson.

He also expressed unease over continued reports of grave violations against civilians.

“We reiterate our call for the full resumption of free and unconditional access for humanitarian supplies and personnel to the Tigray region”, Mr. Dujarric said, adding that it should include “blanket clearances” for organizations operating in the area, “so that we can immediately reach all the people in need with all the assistance they urgently require”.

Opinion: Abiy is in a sea of trouble

It is just like there is no end to the troubles of Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy. In the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia there is no peaceful corner. Where-ever you go, there is someone scheming to create instability. There is no peace and no mercy. Just a bunch of crisis upon crisis, and it never ends.

The Prime Minister have had his troubles in Oromia. Where he has arrested the Oromo Leadership. The Opposition leaders are starving and in critical condition in the prisons. As they are still awaiting trails after months of delay and waiting. The courts are just keeping them hostage as Political Prisoners with no end. The state is killing activists in the region and arresting them too. The state is also using all means to stop demonstrations and use force against them. That is something that has been done deliberately through the reign of Abiy. It just escalated when the Hachalu Hundessa was assassinated and the true colours of the state came to play. Since Abiy took power there been over 1800 fatalities done by the government on his watch. These are the remains and the deaths, which can all be attributed to his reign and their demise was in his hands as the head of state.

Just like there where fake-coups in Amhara. Where suddenly high ranking officials was taken out. In such a manner, that the Prime Minister could install his leadership and his men in power there. To ensure smooth sailing and have co-operative leadership there.

In the meantime there been conflict and usage of fatal force in Ogaden Region. The Somali region of the Ethiopia. Where the authorities have brutally gone after the opposition party Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). Where the party is now struggling to convene and be able to select candidates ahead of the elections. As the central government of the state is going after it and stopping them from holding meetings. Even arresting high ranking officials who is working on the matter. Just like in Oromia, the state wants to control the candidates of the Ogaden.

If you would think this was to bad. No there is inter-communal skirmishes between the Ogaden and Afar region too. There is so much blood between the tribes. They are fighting between them and the state cannot settle it. They are letting these force fight between them and not stopping the bloodshed. It is just easing and seeing the destruction coming to pass.

Benishangul-Gumuz region have also been a region who been hard hit by Amhara militia and the army. Where several of massacres and escalating killings sprees been going-on. It is like a prolonged agony besides the biggest conflict in Ethiopia. There are now over 200,000 internally displaced people in the region and over 3,000 refugees who has fled to Sudan from here.

I have now mentioned several of regions, but not the one where the Law Enforcement Operations, which has been going on since early November 2020. Where the state and Eritrea claims Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) started, but still they had pre-planned movement of troops both on the Amhara borders and across into Eritrea. It seems like foul play to me…

While the state also wants to shutdown all reporting, media and communications in the region. Therefore, little access to information, while the state wants to hold media accountable. In the end, only wanting their propaganda out and dismiss other sources. There is no verified account of the possible range of fatalities. However, we do know that there been reports of up to 50,000 people have died since beginning of November. While over 60,000 people have fled the region to get to safe-haven in Sudan. There also been bombing and shelling of Mekelle. As well, as unknown amount of foreign troops (Eritrean and Somali) in Tigray.

Already before all of these recent escalated and rouge conflicts within the Republic. The WHO stated in March 2019 that it was close to reach a 1,000,000 IDPs inside Ethiopia. After what has happened in Afar, Oromia, Ogaden, Benishangul-Gumuz and Tigray. The numbers have surely soared up and gotten worse.

There is so much trouble for Abiy. So much of it is self-inflicted and because of self-interest to rule supreme. Get rid of all enemies and be crowned king. The man who was praised for peace, but is a bona fide War-Lord. That is who Abiy is and all the conflicts within his term proves it. All the fatalities and use of force on his own citizens.

Prime Minister Abiy needs to be accountable for all of this. He clearly tries to show power and strength. However, the only thing his creating is more casualties and fatalities within his term. There is just more death and destruction. So many people are hurt and in danger, because his army and allies are using military means to settle civilian matters. Peace.

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Release on Recent Statements of the European Union Regarding the Humanitarian Assistance Efforts of the FDR of Ethiopia in the Tigray Region (09.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Advocacy for Justice for the Oromo People – Tumsa Haqa Saba Oromo – Press Release (07.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Political Prisoners in Critical Conditions after 12 days of Hunger Strike

There is again terrible news in Kaliti prison in Ethiopia. That is where several of high ranking leaders from Oromia is lingering in jail. These opposition leaders are behind bars because they are a threat to the position of the Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy. The Ethiopian government is striking hard down, but has no evidence in their cases or with their charges.

The Oromo leadership is targeted to control the region and the political sphere ahead of the elections. That is why these leaders are behind bars. They are not there because of their work or criminal conspiracy. Their only crime is being popular opposition leaders. Now we are seeing the costs of protesting within the prison.

Here is the current report:

1. Jawar Mohammed has lost a lot of weight, become extremely weak and can barely talk. His legs have swelled and doctors fear that this could be because of damage to his kidneys.

2. Bekele Gerba has lost a lot of weight.

He can barely talk or keep his eyes open.

He is in critical condition.

3. Hamza Borana has also lost a lot of weight. He is also in critical condition.

4. Dajane Tafa was one of the 4 people that collapsed a few days ago. He remains in critical condition.

5. Of the 4 people that collapsed few days ago, two (Boona Tibile and Dawit Abdata)were given intravenous therapy.This morning Arafat Abubakar also collapsed.

6. According to doctors, Shamsadin Taha is also in critical condition. Although he was faring well compared to the other political prisoners, his condition deteriorated quickly once he developed kidney problem as a result of the hunger strike.

7. We have been unable to have access to speak to all the Oromo political prisoners on hunger strike. From the information we’ve gathered so far, all of the 20 prisoners are in critical condition. It’s difficult to say what is going to happen in the next few hours. Their lives are in great danger and we fear the worst could happen at any moment” (Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team – ‘Oromo Political Prisoners On Hunger Strike Are In A Critical Condition’ 08.02.2021).

This here should worry anyone and their lives are in danger. The body can hold a long time, but it is just a matter of time before the body gives way. That is what’s happening here and health care should step in. The Ministry of Health and Prison Services needs to come with dire help. Especially, since the political prisoners are now in critical condition. That should worry anyone.

There should be outrage and outcry, as these leaders needs help. The state needs to step in and give remedy. They need to show mercy and give them health care. They are in real danger. The state have to prove their humanity and care for their citizens, as these political prisoners are still citizens and do need help now. Peace.