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It is to be recalled that criminal investigation is underway for grave offences committed by the leadership of the TPLF as well as former national defense and police force members loyal to the TPLF. A Taskforce composed of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, the Office of the Federal Attorney General, the Federal Police and other relevant security institutions is conducting the investigation.

The investigation so far has established the commission of three major crimes: High Treason, Crimes against the Constitutional Order, and Terrorism.

349 suspects have been identified and a court order for their detention has been issued in accordance with the laws of the nation. From these suspects, 253 are retired and active members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force and Federal Police and 96 are key members and top leadership of the TPLF. So far, 680 documentary evidences and testimonies of witnesses have been collected and 124 suspects have been detained as per the courts’ order.

The investigation further uncovered that the November 3rd treasonous act committed by the rogue members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force against the Northern Command by the order of the TPLF leadership, was not an isolated and spontaneous attack. According to the evidences collected by the investigation team, TPLF had prepared a detailed plan to stage an armed insurrection, as a continuation and finale of the violence it has been financing and orchestrating to derail the reforms for the last three years. In order to achieve its goal, the TPLF leadership and its accomplices had first established an Operation Division composed of the Tigray Regional State Militia under the leadership of General Haile Selassie Girmay. It then changed its structure to Central Command of Tigray and made Lieutenant General Taddesse Werede its commander through an official letter issued by Dr. Debretsion G/Michael, the then Vice President of the Tigray Regional State. The entire structure of the Central Command of Tigray was organized in such a manner that it mimics the exact structure of the Ethiopian National Defense force.

Furthermore, investigations reveal that prior to the change of administration at the federal level in 2018, the Tigray Regional State had recruited close to 5000 militia members per annum while after the reform, it recruited 47,173 and 37,373 militia members respectively per annum in the year of 2018 and 2019 alone. These massive recruitments resulted in a situation where the TPLF was able to command an irregular militia force with more than 170,000 members.

Similarly, before 2018, the regional state engaged in recruitment of about 450 Special Force members per annum. After the change in administration that occurred in 2018, the TPLF dramatically scaled up its recruitment to 5000 per annum. The Special force, under the Central Command was organized in 8 Divisions and 23 Regiments.

These strategies and pre-meditated plans and actions clearly show that TPLF undertook a massive preparation to wage war against the Federal Government and other regional administrations with a view to regain its dominant position at the center which it had lost due to peaceful popular demands and reform initiatives.

Another key finding of the investigation is that TPLF was the mastermind for the communal conflicts and atrocities committed in various parts of the nation. TPLF had sponsored different communal conflicts and backed armed rebel groups to inflict atrocious attacks against innocent civilians. According to the evidences collected, several actors behind communal conflicts and armed attacks against innocent civilians around the nation had received training and financial backing of the TPLF to conduct the atrocious attacks. The TPLF leadership endorsed and provided tangible support to those orchestrating violent conflict in various parts of the country.

Concerning the Mai Kadra massacre, the investigation team has identified 279 suspects who were directly involved in the ethnically motivated massacre out of which only 36 had been detained. The rest are believed to have fled to Sudan claiming a refugee status. So far, 117 graves for victims of the massacre had been identified and have been uncovered and are undergoing forensic investigations.

The objectives of the Investigation are to hold accountable the perpetrators of the above-mentioned heinous crimes; to set the record straight on the atrocities committed by TPLF by documenting the truth for the benefit of future generation and the national reconciliation and healing efforts; and to recover embezzled public assets from the perpetrators and their affiliates.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen said the Government of Ethiopia has been working to ensure the delivery of humanitarian services and improve the situation in Tigray.

He said this to the AU Foreign Ministers at the 38th AU Executive council meeting, while delivering briefings on relevant current issues, especially the situation in Tigray.

He also explained the reconstruction, rehabilitation, capacity enhancement, and peacebuilding efforts of the interim administration of Tigray and its due emphasis to the delivery of humanitarian support.

According to the Minster, food and non-food items were delivered for more than 1.8 million beneficiaries aimed at addressing more than 2.5 million beneficiaries across the region as lack of banking service, market failure, and pending salary payments are forced to cover a greater number of beneficiaries.

He said, for efficient and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance, the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) has been established at Mekelle comprising of relevant line ministries, regional bureaus, UN-Agencies, bi-laterals, and international NGO’s.

Most parts of the region are accessible and a conducive environment has been created to speed up the delivery of food and non-food supplies to the needy people in the region, he added.

The federal government is working on mobilizing resources for the recovery and rehabilitation of damaged and destroyed economic and social infrastructure as well as humanitarian assistance, the Minister said.

According to Demeke, refugees in the region are one of the priority areas of the government to maintain their safety and security and ensure the continuous supply of food and non-food items.

In the refugee camps, where access and issues are related to safety and security, he said, the government has taken immediate action by relocating and maintaining basic humanitarian services.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia held on Tuesday (February 02) a Promotional campaign supporting Professor Hirut Woldemariam who is running to hold the post of the AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.

The event was held at Sheraton Addis in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen.

Mr. Demeke called on the government and other pertinent bodies to support Professor Hirut Woldemariam honoring her outstanding professional caliber and ethical behavior that would make her a perfect candidate to run for the post of African Union Commissioner for ESTI.

State Ministers H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano and H.E. Mrs. Tsion Teklu, African Ambassadors and heads of international organizations based in Addis Ababa and other invited guests were also in attendance.

On the occasion, professor Hirut expounded on her plans to carry out if elected.

She also shared a wide range of her vision with the audience if her bid to the position in the AU would turn out to be successful.

Speaking at the occasion, the candidate’s friends and former colleagues presented their testimonials lauding her level of education and extensive experience she has acquired holding high-level public and private responsibilities that would make her well-suited to run the office.

Ethiopians living in Boston, US have contributed $12,692.65 to people who are in need in Ethiopia.

The donation has been coordinated by the Marathon record holder, Athlete Belayneh Densamo and others. Representatives of members of the Diaspora who participated in the donation have handed over the support to the Ethiopian Embassy in the US.

It is to be recalled that members of the Diaspora in the US have so far donated over $100,000 in support of the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic in Ethiopia.

In a press briefing held today, Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti stated that Ethiopia urged that the negotiation on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) shall continue under auspices of the African Union (AU).

Ambassador Dina also said that the humanitarian response has continued in Tigray region.

According to the spokesperson, President Sahle-Work Zewde visited the DRC and held discussions with Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, President of the DRC.

The two presidents discussed bilateral and regional issues particularly the diplomatic representation of Ethiopia in the DRC, he said adding that President Sahle-Work congratulated Félix Antoine Tshisekedi as in few days he will receive the chairmanship of the African Union to from South Africa.

He added that the president promised to bring him help, support and hospitality during her term at the head of the continental institution.

President Sahle-Work recommended to the DRC that the ongoing tripartite negation shall continue under the auspices of the African Union, he noted. The spokesperson has also extended gratitude to South Africa for properly treating the negotiation.

Ambassador Dina further unveiled that a three-day workshop regarding the Ethiopia-Sudan border issue was held in the presence of Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia.

The meeting was concluded reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to resolve the issue peacefully through reactivating existing mechanisms for the re-demarcation process.