Ethiopia: TPLF isn’t a legitimate party just yet…

“NEBE has refused to reinstate TPLF as a political party, citing the absence of a legal framework for outlawed parties. The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) was banned by the board for engaging in violence against the federal government. Even though TPLF claims to have resolved the issue through a peace deal in Pretoria, the board denies its reinstatement mentioning that it will consider TPLF’s request for reinstatement if the party follows the procedures outlined in the Political Parties Code of Conduct” (Addis Zeybe, 13.05.2023).

The prolonged agony and conflict in Tigray isn’t over. Even if there are a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in place. Parts of the Tigray region is still occupied by Eritrean and Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” which are undermining the efforts for peace. Alas, in the mix of all this…

The political gambit and the reasoning for deregistering the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is still active. Amidst the war the Authorities and the State did announce the TPLF as a terrorist organization, which affected the status of the party and also took away it’s credibility as a part of the nation. The rulers in Addis and their allies effectively dethroned and detached the TPLF from “society”. In such a manner, that it hasn’t gotten legitimized since…

The Pretoria Agreement has helped and the TPLF is running an Interim Regional Administration (IRA) with a new cabinet. However, NEBE is clearly not buying it and not allowing it. We know the deregistering and the labelling of “terrorist” organization was only done to suit the Federal Government and their warpath.

Now those choices done in the House of Federation and within the Authorities are hard to rectify. Certainly, the Office of the Prime Minister could have directed or given reasons to change it. Nevertheless, that isn’t concerning him directly and that’s why he maybe is so reckless.

This is just showing how the Prosperity Party moves and how it takes control. They are fighting tooth and nails to survive a war. After accepting a peace-deal, the authorities are not playing along, but showing resistance to change. Instead of showing goodwill… it is showing defiance.

Seriously, this is just showing how far things are from Mekelle to Addis Ababa. It shows how the authorities are acting high and mighty. When the parties have engaged and are in dialogue. The one party is still acting supreme and humiliating the other. The TPLF risked being mocked and ridiculed. Now it is happening…

The NEBE is doing the service of the PP. This is a way of PP showing who has the power and the TPLF just have to oblige. That is it… Peace.

Eritrea: Shabait finally commits to partaking in Tigray as an ally and talks of military drills…

In Asmara, one-part of the Tripartite Alliance has reacted to the publication of an article on the Ethiopian news-outlet the “Borkena”. That isn’t ordinary but extraordinary. Since, the Shabait and the Ministry of Information tends to refute “western” publications and articles. Not go after reporting in the neighbourhood.

That’s why today is extra-extra, read all about it sort of vibe. Shabait published their retort today under this banner: “ Press Release – Disinformation that stems from and feeds innuendos” which isn’t striking or out of the ordinary. No, this is common practice and the Shabait just have to enlighten everyone.

What is just unique is how revealing parts of the texts are and how blatant it has become. They are not even trying to conceal or hide things. The Shabait and Eritrean Ministry of Information is just emptying out of their chest. If this is planned, it is weird and wonders why… because it just shows their actions to the whole wide world.

I’m only taking parts of points 3 and 4 from the “press release” because that was so juicy.

Let me show you and then discuss.

Point 3:

Eritrea and Ethiopia duly cooperated in the counter-offensive operations to thwart the huge threat that both countries faced when the TPLF regime unleashed its unprovoked War of Insurrection in November 2020. The cooperation freely agreed and worked out by both countries had various components at the time. To stretch this cooperation and peddle false allegations is factually wrong and morally deplorable. There are of course various forces, especially outside the region, which were perturbed by the historic Eritrea-Ethiopia Peace Agreement of 2018 and who continue to leave no stone unturned to scuttle the process. BORKENA may have unwittingly fallen into their trap; or it has all along belonged to the same league, although this has remained under the surface until this latest publication” (Shabait, 12.05.2023).

Point 4:

Finally, BORKENA claims that “Eritrea has embarked on new military exercise in all corners of the country”. Again this is pure hyperbole that stems from ignorance; if not driven by outright sinister agenda. The Eritrean army conducts a couple of days’ refresher exercises – mostly physical exercises – of its reserve army every six months or so. The recent physical exercises are the routine norms carried out in peace time” (Shabait, 12.05.2023).

What is striking about Point 3? Well, the Shabait is now saying they were an ally in the “Law Enforcement Operation” and partook in the Tigray War. They are now saying they went into it and worked together with Ethiopia. This is not trying to hide the fact and is acknowledging their military involvement in the war. They have in the past tried to hide this fact and act like they were innocent, which was far from the case. That’s why today’s paragraph was more than interesting.

We know Shabait wants to rewrite the “start” or “reason for the war”. That is something all of the Tripartite Alliance has worked upon. They have all tried to deflect and disguise their planned efforts for war and conflict. Because, the Amhara, the ENDF and the EDF was all ready to attack the Tigray region. This was all co-ordinated and they have to mask this a “counter-offensive, which is just obnoxious… knowing how the ENDF, Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” and the EDF was all battle-ready and wanted to invade Tigray. Therefore, Shabait is taking people for fools… thinking the units, mechanical divisions and such just happened on the “blink of an eye” in November 2020…

When we see Point 4 it is just a old tale of being caught “red-handed”. The Eritrean authorities and Shabait has for years tried to act like it doesn’t do it and wouldn’t enrage the neighbours. Nevertheless, now they are stating the ordinary “military drills” which happens to be in the border regions. That has caused a stir and diplomatic mission to be concerned. It is really unique to see the Shabait doubling down this way and revealing things it normally doesn’t do.

Borkena needs to write more about Eritrea and spread more “disinformation”. Just so the Shabait can reveal more “hidden secrets” to the world to know. Peace.

Ethiopia: Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA) – U.S. Special Envoy met with Oromo Communities (11.05.2023)

Ethiopia: Oromo Federal Congress (OFCO) Central Committee Members 2nd Regular Meeting (06.05.2023)

The Oromo Federal Congress (OFCO) has decided to hold its regular meetings twice a year in 2014 E.C. According to this, the Oromo Federal Congress (OFCO) central committee will hold its 2nd regular meeting from April 27-28 2015 E.C. A meeting has been held in Finfi city Chefe Aneni.

According to the discussion we had, the participants of the meeting, following the 2nd general assembly of OFC, the one-year activity of our party, the current situation of Oromia and the other country, and the problems our people are facing in different aspects, we have pointed out the direction and strategy of our party on these important issues. We have issued a statement containing the following points at the conclusion of our regular meeting.

1/2014-2015 OFC executive committee report and the party’s 5-year strategic plan prepared by the executive committee have been approved with full votes. We believe that the approval and implementation of this strategic plan will make our organization a strong competitor nationwide and help us overcome the long years of struggle of our people.

2/ The Ethiopian government supports the reconciliation negotiation in Tigray, Benishangul, Gambela, Oromia as a whole. Since the war that has happened in Oromia for the past five years between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army (ONSE) was caused by political misunderstanding, we have repeatedly asked for the war that has been done in northern Ethiopia to stop in peace and reconciliation. We gladly accept and support the fact that both the Ethiopian government and ONES have expressed their interest in negotiating peacefully. The fact that the two fighting parties came to peace negotiations is the rightness of the position of OFCO on the issue from the beginning. Following the completion of the first round of negotiations in Tanzania, we urge the two sides to hurry up the next negotiation and give priority to the peace that our people are thirsty for.

3/ To make the peace and reconciliation discussion successful and to create sustainable peace and stable political arena in Oromia and Ethiopia:-

It is important to understand that the peace negotiation should involve the rest of the Oromo political forces in the complex political issues concerning the Oromo people.

We would like to express our opinion that the negotiation should be done in a way that answers the questions of two generations of Oromo scholars and heroes, basic peace and stability that has been raised from the people for years, the right to self-government and true federalism, participatory democracy and meaningful development.

We would like to express that in order to create true and continuous reconciliation and to implement agreements, it is necessary to expand an administrative system that involves all political leaders and organizations.

4/ Regarding not respecting the rule of law

Let us ask for the illegal killing, imprisonment and destruction of property by the government armed forces in different Oromia regions, as well as the arrest, killing and killing of OFCO supporters, members and leaders to stop immediately.

If the violence, killing and suffering that is happening to our people from all directions is not given priority as a country and as Oromia and is not resolved through peaceful discussion, we ask our people to prepare themselves for the next peaceful struggle strategies. By this we assure that OFC will continue its commitment to peaceful struggle.

5/ Regarding corruption and corruption.

Corruption is leading the country to the brink as the government believed. Corruption can be fought by honest public participation not by committee as it is now. To stop the corruption that is increasing and taking systematic form.

To stop the money collected by government cadres in different names without receipts; to control illegal trade by groups connected to the government and the ruling party.

In order to stop the serious damage caused by not having a clear license to invest in minerals like Lege Dembi gold, to prevent environmental pollution and respect the interest of the people.

We request the removal of unnecessary restrictions on agricultural products such as wheat, teffna and khat that are aggravating our people’s economic problems.

6/ The inflation of prices that has been rising from time to time is caused by the wrong decision of the ruling party. Therefore, the ruling party should take full responsibility for the damage it has caused to the people and economy. We ask for timely and sustainable solutions to solve the problems of the people.

7/ Recently, some intellectuals and powers who claim to represent the people of Amhara by considering the ruling party as the Oromo government and giving the wrong statement of the “Oromuma regime” making the wrong and illegal activities of this body seem to be the mistake of the Oromo people is a wrong idea that creates confusion among the people and can cause a big problem. The party itself is responsible for the crimes committed and is committing. Therefore, defaming the name of the Oromo people is not right, so we ask this kind of hate propaganda to be stopped immediately.

At the end, we call on our people to strengthen their unity and brotherhood with other nations and nationalities and to continue standing with our party.

Participants of the Oromo Federal Congress Central Committee regular meeting.

April 28, 2015

Finfinne: Oromia

Ethiopia: Women of Tigray – Open Letter to the USAID (05.05.2023)

Ethiopia: International Amahara Movement (iAM) – Response to Secretary Anthony Blinken’s Statement regarding COHA (04.05.2023)

Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – Calls for Unified Measures to Investigate and Curtail Corrupt Practices Surrounding the Distribution of Aid and an urgent resumption of services in the Tigray Region (04.05.2023)

Ethiopia: The ENAT Party is firing back at the Prime Minister

“The Ethiopian people are facing a difficult time in history because they don’t have a worthy political leader, they have been denied inclusion and all inclusive system. The fluctuation of the political line, the regional interest of internal and external forces, modest tribal narratives, structural and systematic problems etc. He has put our people through endless suffering. Specially the bloody war that has been waged between TPLF and the federal government and the western and central Oromia governments have made Ethiopians to be in deep sorrow” (ENAT Party – ‘”Taking care of yourself before you get sick… “It’s going to be!”, 01.05.2023).

“The prime minister’s desire for change and strong struggle in the coming days has created some change, so it was natural that citizens can express their ideas freely. The hope that “democratic system can be built” was also short. Let it be “I have peace in the sky … “We are forced to live in a country and system where Ethiopia and Ethiopianism are denied and is led by ethnic based narratives. We know that journalists, intellectuals and social activists will be questioned by the court if they violate the law they write and speak. Otherwise, what is the reason for arresting, beating, harassing and hiding citizens?” (A joint statement given by ENAT party, EPRP and MEAD on current issues – The government should stop the attack on the Amhara people immediately!, 03.05.2023).

This week, the ENAT Party has released two statements on the current affairs. Both are very interesting and telling. They are clearly aiming at Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. That is obvious to the naked eye. He is the one they are aiming at and they not missing a single word.

Prime Minister Abiy should listen to the ENAT Party here. They are in opposition and are vocal too. They are telling something he might don’t want to hear, but it is still useful. Especially, if he wants to right his wrongs and make a change.

Abiy and the Prosperity Party are showing itself to be a party of guns, ammo and warfare. It isn’t a party of dialogue or genuine peace. The peace is only settled if the grievances of the PP is met and the others are silenced. That’s how Abiy and his allies operate, and this is why there is so much conflict in Ethiopia.

The ENAT Party is just exposing the lack of good leadership. They are just explaining what is wrong in the current time. The ENAT Party is spelling out what many people are thinking. This is bold… but necessary.

We know that NEBE and the Authorities, which are under the control of Abiy could easily retaliate. They could suddenly go after ENAT and their associates. Because that is what the likes of Abiy does. He tends to go after their pockets, their assets and whatever political capital they have. This is how he comes ahead and get power.

Deep inside the ENAT Party and their allies knows the reason for the oppression and the targeting of dissidents in the Republic. That is done to silence the ones that oppose the PP or the Prime Minister. It is the main focus and the main reason. Because at this stage it’s all about consolidating power and ensure every region has puppets following the PM on a tightrope. If that isn’t happening… his bringing the guns and the cavalry to intimidate and stop the ones who are in his way.

It is interesting that the ENAT Party does this, but I wonder… if they will feel the blunt force too. Since they dare to speak out and that isn’t done without any sort of retaliation. Peace.

Ethiopia: FDRE Government Communication Service – Current Situation Update (03.05.2023)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – Press Release regarding the Peace Talks in Tanzania (03.05.2023)