Archive for category: Uncategorized

The Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) has engaged in stabilization activities after completing its third phase law enforcement operation in Tigray regional state.

After completing the operation, the defence army has now moved to returning to their villages those who have fled their homes due to security concerns, said Lt.Gen Bacha Debele, Commander of ENDF’s Raya Front.

He said the on-going activities by the defence forces are part of the efforts of restoring stability and returning normalcy to the people.

Lt.Gen Bacha added that the defence army is ready to prevent any possible suicide attacks by the TPLF junta in the future.

He also rejected false information being shared on social media by members of the extremist group.

Yesterday, they spread information on social media calming that they had captured me and Lt. Gen Abebaw Tadesse, Deputy Chief of Staff of ENDF.

“We are still in charge of the operation being inside the central mountain of Tigray,” he said.

“The running away TPLF clique has no power to capture anyone,” he said, pointing out that Lt. Gen Abebaw will join him in a press conference to be issued soon.

“We are scoring victory after victory,” Lt. Gen Bacha, said adding, “efforts will continue to bring the TPLF junta to justice.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has issued congratulatory message over completion of law enforcement operation in Tigray.

“I am pleased to share that we have completed and ceased the military operations in the Tigray region. “

Government’s focus now will be on rebuilding Tigray region and providing humanitarian assistance while Federal Police apprehend the TPLF clique, the premier stressed.

In a statement issued this evening, Prime Minister Abiy announced that Mekelle has become under command of the National Defense Forces.

The Prime Minister stated that the Federal government is now fully in control of the city of Mekelle, adding “With full command of the regional capital, this marks the completion of the ENDF’s last phase.”

Federal police will now continue their task of apprehending TPLF criminals and bring them to the court of law, the premier noted.

The ENDF has thus far managed to:

• Secure the release of thousands of Northern Command officers held hostage by TPLF
• Secured the Northern Command camp
• Take control of the airport, public institutions, the Regional administration office and other critical facilities;
• Undertake the operation with precision and due care for citizens ensuring civilians are not targeted

The people of the Tigray Region have provided utmost support and cooperation to the Ethiopian National Defense Force in all corners, he underlined.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the people of Tigray who have understood the ENDF’s goodwill and duty to nation.”

The main operation is successfully concluded. We now have ahead of us the critical task of rebuilding what has been destroyed: repairing what is damaged; returning those who have fled, with utmost priority of returning normalcy to the people of the Tigray region.

The federal government appreciates the concern shown by the international community. And calls upon friends of Ethiopia to join hands in rebuilding the Tigray region and giving its people the respite, humanitarian assistance and security they deserve.

The Africa Center of the Atlantic Council hosted a private roundtable with Ethiopian Attorney General Dr. Gedion Timothewos, Senior Policy Advisor Mamo Mihretu, and Ambassador to the United States Fitsum Arega.

The event served as an opportunity to discuss the ongoing law enforcement operation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region in order to bring ring-leaders of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to justice.

The event was opened by Africa Center Director of Programs and Studies Bronwyn Bruton, followed by introductions from Africa Center Senior Fellow Gabriel Negatu and moderation by Africa Center Senior Fellow Cameron Hudson.

Dr. Gedion provided opening remarks to frame the conversation around the Ethiopian government’s law enforcement operation against the TPLF Junta in Tigray, following the attempted seizure of military assets by TPLF forces earlier this month.

Participants, representing the US government, Congressional offices, think tanks, and not-for-profits, then directed questions to both Dr. Gedion and Mihretu about limiting civilian casualties in the region; the conflict’s economic impact on Ethiopia; coordination with humanitarian agencies; and repatriating refugees who fled to neighboring Sudan.

Africa Center Senior Fellow Cameron Hudson concluded the discussion reflecting on hope for peace, stability, and justice while pledging to maintain regular discussions regarding operation in Tigray under the auspices of the Atlantic Council.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received at his office this morning former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former President of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano, and former President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe – the designated Special Envoys of Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and Chairperson of the African Union.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his profound gratitude to the African Union Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa for the utmost concern and understanding shared in Ethiopia’s efforts to end impunity and bring the TPLF criminal clique to justice.

According to Prime Minister Office, the premier also appreciated the Special Envoys for their visit to Ethiopia, in elderly concern, reiterating the well-meaning endeavors of African brothers and sisters who are equally hopeful for a prosperous and stable Ethiopia.

Ethiopia appreciates this gesture and for the steadfast commitment this demonstrates to the principle of African solution to African problems, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed noted.

During the discussions, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed briefed the Special Envoys on the background to Ethiopia’s rule of law operations currently underway in the Tigray region.

The Prime Minister discussed at length the patience with which his government handled the provocations and destabilization agenda the TPLF orchestrated for more than two years. Recounting the numerous attempts by the federal government to engage peacefully, he reiterated that the premeditated attack on the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, which constitutes high treason under the Criminal Code of Ethiopia, was the final straw which forced the federal government to act in protection of the constitutional order of the country.

Prime Minister Abiy expressed the Federal Government’s constitutionally mandated responsibility to enforce rule of law in the region and across the country. Failure to do so would nurture a culture of impunity with devasting cost to the survival of the country, he emphasized.

During the discussions with the Special Envoys, Prime Minister Abiy Anmed further reiterated:

• The Federal government’s utmost commitment to the protection and security of civilians during the rule of law operations, demonstrated in the National Defense Force’s avoidance to engage in combat within cities and densely populated areas, by weathering rough terrain instead;
• Establishment of high-level committee of Federal stakeholders to assess and respond to essential humanitarian needs of citizens in the region;
• Identification and announcement of a humanitarian assistance route for the provision of necessary relief materials to citizens in the region coordinated through the Ministry of Peace in collaboration with UN agencies;
• Readiness of the federal government to receive, rehabilitate and resettle citizens that have fled, by setting up four camps established to rehabilitate returnees before resettling them back into their original locales;
• Efforts underway to operationalize the constitutionally established and multi-party Provisional Administration of Tigray, in towns and cities under Federal command to enable provision of government services;
• Determination to apprehend and bring to justice the TPLF clique and their operatives who also perpetrated the grave crimes against humanity in Maikadra;
• Commitment to rebuild public infrastructure destroyed by TPLF militia, including communication facilities;
• Unwavering commitment of federal government to create a democratic Ethiopia that is inclusive of all without domination or repression of one group by another.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also underscored his immense gratitude to friends of Ethiopia who are engaging constructively during the federal government’s rule of law operations and expressed his commitment to dialogue with civil society and community representatives in the Regional State of Tigray as well as political parties operating legally within the region.

The federal government once again expresses its gratitude to President Cyril Rampahosa and the esteemed African elders and Special Envoys that imparted their wisdom, insights and readiness to support in any way they are needed.

In a statement issued today, Prime Minister Office indicates that the Federal Government is committed to responding to the needs of citizens in the Tigray Region expeditiously.

In partnership with the relevant agencies, the government will continue to extend protection and humanitarian assistance to those in need, the office said.

Following a technical committee assessment of needs on the ground conducted over the past week, the humanitarian support to internally displaced Ethiopians in the Tigray Region is being extended through the coordination of the Ministry of Peace and other Federal stakeholders, it is indicated on the statement.

Accordingly, distribution of initial supplies of food, medicine, clean water, and non-food items have begun in areas that are under the control of the Federal government, addressing the basic needs of displaced citizens currently in camps outside of their locales.

The committee is also overseeing the establishment of four camp sites to begin receiving and supporting citizens that have fled, before voluntarily returning them to their communities.

Based on the assessment conducted by the technical committees, the need for daily subsistence support for vulnerable communities has also been identified and the distribution of core relief items will start until life returns to normal.

This humanitarian assistance will now be further reinforced with the opening of a humanitarian access route to be managed under the auspices of the Ministry of Peace.

The government stands ready to support all Ethiopians that have fled to return to their communities and is committed to work with UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations to protect civilians and help those who need it, the statement indicated.