News in Brief

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen confers with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peace building Affairs

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonen meets UNOCHA Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths

On Ethiopian returnees from Saudi Arabia

Excerpts from the Prime Minister’s Office Press Briefing on Situations in Tigray of July 28, 2021

Africa and the African Union

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Thursday (July 22) received credentials from  Aleli Admasu, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Ethiopia, Burundi & Chad during which the long-standing issue of the Palestine-Israeli conflict was also discussed. The Chairperson stated that the conflict between the State of Palestine and Israel has been a cause of great concern for over seventy years with various regional and international actors having participated in the search for a peace between the two nations; and noted that a lasting solution was required to ensure the co-existence of both nations and to allow their people to live in a state of peace and stability. He emphasised that the path towards long lasting peace and stability requires that the peace process and the solutions sought must not only be acceptable, but must guarantee the rights of all parties. The Chairperson reiterated that in the almost sixty-year history of Africa’s continental organisation, from its formation as the Organization of African Unity and re-launch as the African Union, the Union has been very clear on it position that in the issue of Palestine and Israel, a Two-State Solution is necessary for a peaceful co-existence.

Ethiopia

President Sahle-Work Zewde has discussed with United Nations Under-Secretary for Political and Peace Building Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo on various issues including the latest developments in Ethiopia. The two have exchanged views on the latest developments in Tigray, the progress of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute, and recently concluded sixth national elections. UN Under-Secretary congratulated Ethiopians on the successful completion of the sixth general elections.

In related news, Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia had a meeting with Rosemary A. DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. The discussion between the two sides included the situation in Tigray the GERD negotiations, the 6th General elections and the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute. (See article)

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, on Thursday (July 29) started a six-day visit to Ethiopia. “It was important to me that I carry out my first official mission as the UN’s humanitarian chief to Ethiopia,” said Griffiths. During the visit, Griffiths is expected to meet with high-level Government officials and representatives of the humanitarian and donor communities. He also plans to travel to the Tigray and Amhara regional states, according to a statement issued by The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (See article)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen met on Thursday (July 29) the new UNOCHA Secretary General, Martin Griffiths. The Deputy Prime Minister asked OCHA to condemn and hold TPLF responsible for exacerbating conflicts, recruiting and deploying children, and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the people in need. He said the government of Ethiopia would do its level best to address the concerns of humanitarians and stay committed to the ceasefire, although new attacks by the TPLF may influence the government’s behavior. (See article)

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, on Thursday (July 28) held a discussion with Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada. The two discussed mainly the situations in Tigray and ways to strengthen the historical and fraternal relationship between Ethiopia and Canada. Discussing the political and humanitarian situation in Tigray, the Canadian Foreign Minister said Canada expects an expedited improvement to the flow of humanitarian support into the region. In addressing the concerns of the Canadian Foreign Minister, Demeke said the decision of the Government to declare a unilateral ceasefire was meant to address humanitarian concerns in the region. He said the TPLF has wasted the opportunity for peace under the ceasefire and chose to blocking humanitarian corridors and launching fresh attacks in Afar and Amhara regions. He expressed Ethiopia’s concern over the failure of the international community to recognize the Ethiopian Government’s effort to create conducive environment for humanitarian support, peace, and stability in Tigray.

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia had a meeting with  Ramtane Lamamra, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National community Abroad of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. On the occasion,  Demeke gave a briefing on the second filling of the GERD which was done according to the DoP which was signed among the tripartite in 2015. The briefing also included the humanitarian ceasefire in Tigray, where the government of Ethiopia stayed committed despite the terrorist TPLF’s disrespect to peace. They noted the importance of cementing relationships with expanded engagements.  Demeke also stated Ethiopia’s readiness to host the 5th Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), which was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Minister of Finance, Dr. Eyob Tekalign met with Safaricom Ethiopia PLC CEO, Anwar Soussa. They discussed the progress of the project by Global Partnership for Ethiopia and the next steps in the implementation. The two spoke about the importance of digitization and an open and competitive telecommunications sector for the future of the country. In the discussion, Dr. Eyob said Ethiopia has opened its market to private-sector competition, and foreign investment, which is expected to bring a higher quality of service and more choice for consumers. Safaricom Ethiopia PLC’s entrance as the second mobile phone operator in Ethiopia is expected to spur massive investment in the telecommunications sector as well as to bring increased competition to the market, leading to improvements in service quality, coverage, and innovation.

Spokesperson of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti, in the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing briefed the media with a special focus on latest developments in the country and the repatriation of Ethiopians from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and several diplomatic activities. Regarding the current situation in the northern part of the country, Ambassador Dina Mufti said that TPLF has continued discrediting the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire endangering the people of Tigray and particularly farmers. The terrorist group is launching fresh attacks in different areas bordering the region with Amhara and Afar endangering the spirit of the ceasefire, he said, calling the international community to force the TPLF to respect the ceasefire.

In related news, Spokesperson of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti, in the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing briefed the media on the repatriation of Ethiopians from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was accompanied by the Director of Law enforcement and Crime control from the Ministry of Peace, Ambaye Wolde. The briefing covered what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the Ministry of Peace, and other stakeholders are doing on repatriating, rehabilitating, and protecting the rights of Ethiopian migrants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (See article)

Ethiopia and Switzerland have signed a double tax avoidance agreement. The agreement came after three rounds of talks between governments of the two countries, according to the Ministry of Finance. The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa on Thursday (July 29) by Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance and Ambassador of Switzerland to Ethiopia, Tamara Mona. The agreement is aimed at encouraging investors from Switzerland and improving the participation of the Ethiopian business community in the Swiss market.

In a monthly press briefing, the Press Secretary for the Office of Prime Minister, Bilene Seyoum said the outlaw TPLF group has continued belligerence and attack on civilians in the Tigray region and neighboring Amhara and Afar Regions. Billene said that the terrorist group is harassing innocent people in the Amhara and Afar regions and Tigray as well adding that it has also held Eritrean refugees in the region hostage. TPLF has killed Tigrayan civilians in the region whom it considered pro-government, she added. (See article)

The unilateral ceasefire declared by the federal government of Ethiopia continues to be hampered by the TPLF’s provocations, current issues fact check disclosed in a statement on Tuesday (July 27). The Government has kept in warehouses in the Tigray Region more than 400,000 quintals of wheat and 2.5 million liters of edible oil as a reserve, it says. The wellbeing of our people in the Tigray Region remains a concern for the Government of Ethiopia, says the statement adding International organizations especially those working in Tigray need to pressure TPLF to cease its provocations on the Afar region and open the route for the humanitarian cargo to enter the region.

The World Food Programme (WFP) signed on Tuesday (July 27) an agreement with the Federal Transport Authority in a bid to strengthen transport services in Ethiopia. It is also stated in the signing ceremony that the agreement will facilitate enabling environment to improve food security and resilience.  WFP greatly appreciated its partnership with the Federal Transport Authority to jointly enhance the capacity of the commercial transport sector.

Minister of Water Irrigation and Energy, Dr. Seleshi Bekele said on Monday (July 26) that the rainfall in Ethiopia’s highland highly increasing these days. The Minister said the quantities of the rainwater reaching the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have reached over 6,000 metric cube per second (m3/s) making downstream flooding possible. “GERD is a Guardian for downstream by reducing flood and increasing water during drought, but not a threat! Those wrongly accusing Ethiopia should come to senses and appreciate its useful investment not only for Ethiopia but also for the region” he explained. The surcharge at GERD has already risen by 5m, the Minister indicated.

Hundreds of Ethiopians living in the U.S. gathered in Washington, D.C. on Monday (July 26) to salute the Ethiopian National Defense Force and denounce the terrorist TPLF group. During the rally, Ethiopians and descendants have reiterated full commitment to continue support for the national army which is now paying sacrifices to defend the sovereignty and national integrity of the nation. They also strongly condemned atrocities being committed by the Junta against civilians and called upon the international community to denounce evils of the group including the use of child soldiers, attack on innocent people, and an impediment to humanitarian operation in the region. Demonstrators further celebrated the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and reiterated continued financial contribution to the successful completion of the project.

Eritrea

Eritreans living in Addis Ababa staged a rally on Thursday (July 29) to protest against the killing and suffering of Eritrean refugees in the Tigray regional state. The demonstrators, carrying placards raised slogans urging the international community to stop the atrocities being committed against Eritrean refugees in the regional state. The demonstrators also requested a swift response from the international community to end the attack, killings, and suffering of the refugees. People with disabilities, children, and elders took part in the peaceful demonstration held in front of the United Nations Refugee Agency office in Addis Ababa.

In a press briefing, the U.S. Department of State has expressed deep concerns about credible reports of attacks by military forces affiliated with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and Tigrayan militias against Eritrean refugees in the Tigray region, particularly reports of violence in refugee camps. The U.S. called on all armed actors in Tigray to stop attacks and intimidation against Eritrean forces and all refugees, asylum seekers, and people displaced by the ongoing violence, as well as against the aid workers attempting to respond to the humanitarian disaster more broadly.

Kenya

Kenya has waived the requirement of obtaining a visa for South Sudanese citizens entering the East African nation using valid passports. The Foreign Affairs ministry, in a statement issued Monday (July 26), said this was in adherence to the Provisions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, and The Common Market Protocol on Free Movement of labour and persons for the citizens of partner States that was adopted on November 20, 2009. The move, the Foreign Affairs ministry further stressed, will also enhance cultural ties and strengthen the economy of both partner States by encouraging free movement of persons and labour which are key pillars in the integration of the East African Community.

Somalia

Somali troops killed 15 al-Shabab fighters. Ahmed Mohamed Teredisho, SNA Sector 27 commander, told radio Mogadishu on Thursday (July 29) that the troops also destroyed terrorist bases during the operation. “We killed 15 al-Shabab militants, injured others, and destroyed their bases at Afcad location near Bulaburte in a well-planned operation this morning,’’ Teredisho said.

The African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, has handed over a new police station constructed to bolster security at Shati Gaduud Airport Baidoa, in the Southwest State of Somalia. A ceremony to hand over the police station took place on Monday (July 29), witnessed by the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Simon Mulongo, and the AMISOM Police Commissioner, AIGP Augustine Magnus Kailie.

Somalia’s indirect election of lawmakers, expected to begin Sunday, was delayed once again as regional parliaments were not ready. No new date was set for the Somali upper house elections.  Authorities said the vote did not take place because the five state leaders failed to submit a list of the final candidates. They also said a regional parliamentary committee was not put in place to oversee the vote.

Sudan

Sudan’s prime minister and the visiting UN political and peacebuilding affairs chief discussed on Wednesday (July 28) the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement and the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Abdallah Hamdok on Wednesday received Rosemary DiCarlo who has just concluded a visit to Addis Ababa for talks on the situation in Tigray and the GERD crisis with Ethiopian officials. DiCarlo said that “The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will provide technical support (for the settlement) to the Renaissance Dam’s issue”. The UN political official had discussed the GERD issue with the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen during a meeting on 27 July. The Ethiopian foreign ministry said Mekonnen “noted that unnecessary politicization and Internationalization of the matter would contribute nothing but drag the negotiation process”. Ethiopia rejects the involvement of the United Nations in the regional dispute and indicates its willingness for the efforts led by the African Union.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen confers with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peace building Affairs

 Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia had a meeting on Tuesday (July 27) with Rosemary A. DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

Discussing the Tigray issue,  Demeke said the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire was meant to help farmers in the region to employ the rainy season, although it fell on deaf ears so far. The Government of Ethiopia is still committed to the ceasefire, although the TPLF has continued to misbehave and showed disrespect to the goodwill of the government, added the Deputy Prime Minister.

 Demeke said, the warmonger TPLF has tried to choke off humanitarian corridors over the Addis Ababa-Djibouti line and has launched fresh attacks against the North-Eastern part of the country which the international community forgot to discourage.

 DiCarlo, on her part, said the UN Secretary-General appreciates and supports the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire and wants the other side to follow suit.

Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam,  Demeke noted that unnecessary politicization and Internationalization of the matter would contribute nothing but drag the negotiation process.  In this regard, the Under-Secretary-General affirmed the UN support to the AU-led process to reach amicable solutions to all negotiating parties.

Speaking about the 6th General Elections,  Demeke said it was peaceful and transparent and paved the way for building a democratic system in the country.

During their discussion on the Ethiopia and Sudan border conflict,  Demeke wondered why the international community failed to discourage Sudan from unlawfully occupying Ethiopian territories. The Under-Secretary-General said that the UN understands that Ethiopia is the linchpin of the region, and its stability is indispensable to have a peaceful HoA adding that the border issue between the two countries should get a peaceful solution.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonen meets UNOCHA Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths

 Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia received on Thursday (July 29)  Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (OCHA). The new OCHA head is in Ethiopia to exchange views on the situation in Tigray, review the humanitarian assistance efforts and visit Amhara and Tigray Regional States.

During the meeting between the two sides,  Demeke appreciated UNOCHA for productive operations that supported the national humanitarian preparedness and response capacity of Ethiopia since 1984. However, the Deputy Prime Minister said, the engagement of UNOCHA, both at the Headquarters and Country Office levels, has not been forthcoming since the beginning of the law enforcement operation in the Tigray Reginal State. In this regard, the inaccurate information that continues to be issued by UNOCHA about the situation in the Tigray Regional State through its statements and reports is of serious concern to the Government of Ethiopia, he added.

Speaking about current situations regarding Tigray,  Demeke recalled the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire that had been declared to enable farmers to employ the rainy season and provide humanitarian assistance to people in need. Despite this measure taken by the Federal Government, the TPLF has chosen the road to violence and conflict to the extent of recruiting children to bear arms, he said. In explaining how the TPLF’s destructive acts obstructed aid,  Demeke said 170 trucks that carried food and non-food items got stuck in Semera for weeks due to provocative attacks by TPLF, even though around 40 trucks started moving to Mekelle on Wednesday (July 28).

Due to fresh attacks launched by the TPLF, about 220,000 people fled from Afar and Amhara regions,  Demeke said, adding that the Government of Ethiopia has been providing humanitarian assistance to these people. In order to provide a lasting solution to the Eritrean refugees that left Shimelba and Hitsats camps due to the TPLF’s attacks, the Government is working closely with UNHCR to establish a new camp in North Gondar, Dabat Wored, he said. “The support of the donor community is critical in this regard to set up and run the camp.”

He underscored that OCHA should condemn and hold TPLF responsible for exacerbating conflicts, recruiting and deploying children, and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the people in need. The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed his confidence that the new Under-Secretary-General will be transparent, neutral, and exhibit the highest level of professionalism in guiding the operation of the Office.

 Martin Griffiths, on his part, appreciated all the support extended to OCHA’s operations in Ethiopia and pledged to communicate well and work closely with the government of Ethiopia. He also appreciated the initiative taken by the federal government of Ethiopia in declaring the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire and noted that the declaration would have been fruitful had it been reciprocated. The new Under-Secretary-General also expressed his concern over the depletion of resources in Tigray and underscored the need to have more supply lines to the region.

On their discussions of the 6th General Elections, the Deputy Prime Minister said, various entities observed the election including the African Union Election Observer Mission, Eastern Africa Regional Stand by Force and two institutes from US (International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI)). “This is a clear testimony to the firm commitment by the Government to make the sixth general elections free, fair, credible, and democratic.” He said, the success of the sixth general election is the result of a profound political and democratic reform measures that have been taken since the reform agenda begun, including freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

The meeting ended with  Demeke affirmation that the government of Ethiopia would do its level best to address the concerns of humanitarians that are operating in Tigray and stay committed to the ceasefire, although new attacks by the TPLF may influence the government’s behavior. Following the results of the 6th General elections,  Demeke said the new government which will be formed in September will launch a roadmap to have an inclusive dialogue with stakeholders and incorporate opposition forces in the governing structure.

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On Ethiopian returnees from Saudi Arabia

Since November 2017, the Government of Ethiopia has facilitated the return of 415,000 citizens from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Many of the migrants were detained in Saudi Arabia for immigration offenses. The Government of Ethiopia’s embassy and consular officials in Saudi Arabia regularly visit detention centers to assess the citizen’s wellbeing and facilitate their return to their families across the country.

In Addis Ababa, the Government in cooperation with humanitarian partners such as IOM, ERC, and MSF Spain established an operation to provide humanitarian assistance on arrival and facilitate a safe return to home communities. On arrival, the migrants are assessed for vulnerabilities and special needs and referred accordingly. Unaccompanied and separated children were reunified by the government following family tracing and best interest determination.

To help our citizens rebuild their lives in Ethiopia, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is working with development actors to provide reintegration support for some of the migrants. Others have been referred to the private sector for job opportunities. However, the needs outstrip available resources. Hence, the government is appealing for other cooperating partners to be part of an effort to reintegrate individuals and empower households and communities to resist the pull irregular migration of irregular migration.

The Government under the leadership of the Office of the Attorney General has strengthened the laws and created partnerships needed to combat human trafficking and illicit migrant smuggling. Most of the migrants are smuggled to transit countries and exposed to human rights violations and deprivations. The Immigration Agency is undertaking concerted efforts to strengthen border management and reduce smuggling and human trafficking.

In June 2021, our government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia agreed to prioritize the repatriation of Ethiopian nationals subjected to prolonged detention due to mobility restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 42,000 citizens (84% male, 16% female) have since been repatriated in one month. To accommodate an operation of this magnitude amid the ongoing public health challenges caused by the COVID-19, the Government set up 8 reception centers in Addis Ababa to temporarily shelter the migrants as they transit to their final destinations. The government allocated personnel and financial resources to provide the migrants with health care, feeding, psychosocial support and physical safety. Our partners are running an additional 4 shelters providing similar services but focused on migrants with special needs such as unaccompanied and separated children, mothers with babies, and human trafficking survivors. Admission to the centers is on a voluntary basis and the migrants enjoy the freedom of movement, including the right to leave anytime.

All migrants are provided a transport allowance to their final destinations safely. Unfortunately, the ongoing hostilities in Tigray have made it logistically impossible for many migrants to return to their homes in that region. The affected returnees are helped to reunify with extended family in peaceful parts of Ethiopia. Those who do have family members to reunify with are being provided longer-term stays at dedicated reception centers until such a time when their return to Tigray is feasible and safe.

Although a lot has been achieved so far in repatriating citizens from KSA, some challenges (new and lingering ones) remain to be tackled. The Government of Ethiopia is working with relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia to tackle challenges. In this regard, the two governments are working to avoid arbitrary detention of Ethiopian citizens, provide protections to property, facilitate a dignified return for voluntary migrants and work on the expedited full implementation of the labor agreements between the two countries.

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Excerpts from the Prime Minister’s Office Press Briefing on Situations in Tigray of July 28, 2021

Situation in the Northern part of Ethiopia:

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– Moving on to current issues as it relates to the situation in the Northern part of the country, it’s to be recalled that the Government has been engaged in various rounds of humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation initiatives in the region.

Activities that transpired prior to the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire

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– First round distribution of assistance to 4.5 million people was made

– Second round distribution to 4.5 million

 – Third round distribution to 4.9 million

 – As of June 29th, 2021, the Federal Government made an official unilateral humanitarian ceasefire enacted to also support farmers take advantage of the rainy season and focus on farming activities as interruption to this year’s farming would have devastating consequences for the region.

In that regard prior to the humanitarian ceasefire, 580,136 quintals of fertilizer had been purchased with 536,979 quintals stored in Mekelle and distributed to farmers through 10 cooperatives.

– On Defence Forces exit from Mekelle, more than 400,000 quintals of wheat and 2.5 million litres of edible oil have been stocked in warehouses for distribution to those in need. Plus 14 million litres of fuel in depots.

What did TPLF do after the ceasefire?

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– As I shared the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire enacted by the Government was solely intended to enable humanitarian assistance and for farmers to utilize the rainy season; however, the TPLF have outright rejected the ceasefire and rather pushed the people of the region at further risk.

 – Following the Government’s ceasefire, TPLF have continued with their belligerence and fatalistic approach of encroachment into other regions — namely the Amhara and Afar regions; – Instead of taking the opportunity to support Tigrayan farmers and those in need of humanitarian assistance, they have resorted to mobilizing civilians as human shields and violently harassing communities in the Amhara and ,Tgray regions. The lives of farmers in the Amhara region and pastoralists in the Afar region are being destabilized by the terrorist enterprise that has rather resorted to escalating the situation rather than de-escalating. Here international community has been shockingly mute.

– We have reports of women’s farming monasteries in the Amhara region being targeted and looted as the women fled and hid in the forests till the TPLF recruits left.

– Evidence has also surfaced of utilizing children as combatants by the TPLF employing illegal substances. In this regard the Federal Government asserts to the very quiet international community on this matter that Children are Not Soldiers and civilians need not be utilized as human shields for the TPLF’s destructive exploits,

 – Reports indicate that the food assistance left in storage for the needy in the Tigray region Is being exploited by the TPLF for recruitment. Humanitarian assistance In transit to the region has also been blocked from reaching those in need by the group.

– Furthermore, we have also been receiving reports of killing of Tigrayans consider. Pre-government by TPLF confirming the group’s exploitation and violence against the very people it says it stands for;

– The safety of Eritrean refugees in the Tigray region is also threatened with the Presence of TPLF forces in refugee hosting areas. Reports of up to 6 killings of refugees have come In so far.

-Properties of the Agency, for Refugee and Returnee Affairs and other partners’ properties, including World Food Program warehouses, have been looted and confiscated. Refugees are being forced to contribute in-kind and cash to the rebels. Adding to all these misfortunes, all efforts by the refugees to move out of the conflict zone has been prevented by the TPLF, which is tantamount to a hostage situation. On the contrary, there are of reports of forceful transportation of refugees in masses to unknown locations and attempts to relocate some of them to Hitsats and Shimelba, the refugee camp, that had been dosed following attacks by the same group back in November.

– While all these overt egregious acts are being committed by the TPLF, the open and vocal belligerence against the stability and security of the State has escalated with overt and blatant statements and threats to attack other regions and the Capital.

Humanitarian Assistance following the unilateral ceasefire

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-Despite the challenges, the Government is continuing to work with partners to assuage h ch au ges of humanitarian assistance delivery.

 – Humanitarian aid supply and distribution system guidelines and transport system guidelines have been developed to facilitate the humanitarian coordination with partners.

Public response –

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-The Ethiopian public response to these aggressions against the State and to the Nations and Nationalities of Ethiopia by the TPLF terror group has been met with nationwide condemnation across the country. Ethiopians in the Diaspora have also added their voice to condemn the TPLF’s aggression and violence.

– All across the country are mobilizing to thwart the threat declared by the TPLF and many are enlisting with the defence forces, echoing what has become a national tagline of ‘I will march to save Ethiopia’.

– Renouncing the TPLF as a terrorist organization the need to reconcile with fellow Tigrayans who have deep roots, blood and familial ties with other nations and nationalities, has been expressed by many across the country.

 – Despite the TPLF’s attempts to wedge a rift between the people of Tigray and their fellow Ethiopians for their personal political gains, Ethiopians all over have been v, vocal in differentiating between the culprits and innocent Tigrayans in whose name TPLF and their operatives continue to trade.

International Community + Media Response

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– In developments following the Government’s decision to enact a humanitarian ceasefire and exit some cities, the international communities silence has been quite outstanding!

– A clear double standard is at play in the silence towards TPLF’s harassment and overt belligerence

 – Many that were echoing the wellbeing of Tigrayans in the region are now mute when the TPLF is:

• blocking aid;
• killing Tigrayans it considers against it;
• recruiting child soldiers
• using civilians as human shields and bullet fodder o encroaching into other regions

– Those that were continuously chanting Amhara forces out are nowhere to be heard now in condemning TPLF’s atrocities and encroachment into other regions. Why?

 – Three key issues to draw attention to.

• I) TPLF attacks the State in November 2020 dragging the Federal government into a war;
• ii) Federal Government Enacts Humanitarian Ceasefire which TPLF rejects in June 2021;
•  iii) TPLF escalates the conflict by encroaching into two other regions and openly declares violence.

– These are three critical threats against the State and the People of Ethiopia and the international community is silent. Why?

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