FM Demeke Briefs UK Officials on Law Enforcement Operation In Tigray (November 26, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met with David Quarrey, the UK Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser and Deputy National Security Adviser.

Demeke on the occasion said the TPLF clique caused massive damage on the people and the government of Ethiopia, while the country is undergoing promising reforms.

Accordingly, the ongoing strong law enforcement operation in Tigray regional state is aimed at preventing further damages and bringing perpetrators to justice, he said.

Quarrey for his part said the stability of Ethiopia has a significant contribution for the stability of the region and UK wants the country to be a guardian of peace in the region.

He also stressed the need to give protection to civilians and allow access to humanitarian relief for people in need.

Demeke said Ethiopia will wrap up the operation shortly by giving utmost protection for civilians and facilitating access to humanitarian assistance for people in need.

Demeke also met with Dominic Raab, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of UK for a briefing about the situation in Tigray regional state.

He gave reassurance to Rabb that the Government together with the international agencies is working tirelessly to address the humanitarian situations with more humanitarian corridors opening up to reach those in need of humanitarian assistance.

Efforts are also under way to support those refugees who fled to Sudan to return and settle peacefully in their home country said Demeke adding that accessibility won’t be much of an issue now that more areas are liberated from the hands of the TPLF junta.

Foreign Minister Demeke Meets With His Belgian Counterpart Sophie Wilmès (November 26, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen conferred with his Belgian counterpart Sophie Wilmès in Brussels.

On the occasion, Demeke explained to Madam Wilems the significance of the law enforcement operation in the Tigray Region to bring to justice the TPLF Junta that openly attacked the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces on November 4, 2020.

Demeke talked about the two and half year long efforts made by the government to encourage the TPLF leadership to be a constructive force to the reform and democratization process.

He highlighted the unlawful deeds committed by TPLF Junta and the further destabilization acts it took in many parts of the country by aligning with extremist elements.

He emphasized, in this light, the primary responsibility of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to maintain the rule of law, protecting, and defending the Constitution and ensuring peace and security of its citizens.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Sophie Wilmès Wilems on her part has welcomed the delegation and congratulated Demeke for assuming his new position.

She then expressed her government’s concern about the humanitarian situation and its possible spillover impact in the broader region adding that that her government is keenly following AU-led efforts and dialogue needs to happen.

Demeke also explained the collaboration that is being made with international humanitarian organizations to operationalize basic assistance to the society in the areas where the operation is being conducted.

He told his counterpart that the government is delivering basic services to the people in liberated areas who are in need of assistance.

He also emphasized for the understanding of the international community about the efforts underway to keep law and order in the country and in this regard called for the support of the Belgian government to play a fair and balanced role in its current position of non-permanent member of the UNSC.

Ethiopia and Belgium have a long history of diplomatic relations since 1906, when the Government of Belgium first opened its embassy in Addis Ababa, making it the 5th country to do so.

PM Announces Commencement of Final Phase Of Rule Of Law Operations In Tigray (November 26, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced the commencement of the final phase of the rule of law operations in Tigray regional state.

His announcement came following the end of the 72-hour deadline granted to the criminal TPLF clique to surrender peacefully to the National Defence Forces.

Taking advantage of the 72-hour deadline, thousands of Tigray Special Forces and militia members have surrendered to the National Defence Force, said the Prime Minister in a statement this morning.

Many young people in Tigray, realizing the TPLF’s evil intentions, have also refrained from engaging in TPLF’s destructive ambitions, he indicated.

“Although this may have been a decision taken in the last hours, it is nevertheless a responsible decision that is expected of citizens,” the Prime Minister stated.

He said the 72-hours deadline was issued by the federal government to demonstrate that the intention of the operations is to enforce the rule of law per the laws of the land.

“If the criminal TPLF clique chose to peacefully surrender, the campaign would have been finalized with the least amount of damage. To this end, we have provided the opportunity for peaceful surrender on numerous occasions in the past weeks,” he said.

Moreover, the objective of the deadline was to provide protection for those that finally understand the criminality of the TPLF clique and distance themselves for the group, the Prime Minister stated.

He said the last peaceful gate which had remained open for the TPLF clique to walk through have now been firmly closed as a result of TPLF’s contempt for the people of Ethiopia.

However, he said “thousands of members of the Tigray militia and Special Forces that have come to realize the destructive nature of TPLF have utilized the gates of peace and surrendered peacefully.”

“The Ethiopian National Defence Forces have now been directed to conclude the third and final phase of our rule of law operations,” PM Abiy said.

According to the Prime Minister, great care will be given to protect innocent civilians from harm during the final phase of law enforcement operation.

He said “all efforts will be made to ensure that the city of Mekelle, which was built through the hard work of our people, will not be severely damaged.”

“All precautions will be taken to ensure that heritage sites, places of worship, public facilities, development institutions and residential areas will not be targets.

The Prime Minister also called on the people of Mekelle and its environs to disarm, stay at home and stay away from military targets, and take all necessary precautions.

He also urged them to do their part in reducing damages to be sustained because of a handful of criminal TPLF elements, by exposing and handing over the criminal clique over to law enforcement agents.

The Prime Minister assured the people that the National Defence Forces have carefully devised a strategy to bring the TPLF criminal clique to justice, without harming innocent civilians, heritage sites, places of worship, development institutions and property.

H.E. Gedu Andargachew briefs the South Sudanese President on the current situation in Tigray (November 25, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

H.E. Gedu Andargachew, Security Advisor Minister to H.E. PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed, has delivered the Prime Minister’s message to the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. President Salva kiir Mayardit today. He briefed the President about the ongoing situations in Tigray region.

H.E. emphasized that what the Government of Ethiopia doing is a law enforcement operation which is by any means a sovereign duty for any government. He also briefed his government’s plan to finalize the whole operation within a short period of time.

H.E. President Salva kiir Mayardit reminded Ato Gedu that South Sudan stands today as a sovereign nation because of what Ethiopia has done to it. For that, the President assured H.E. Ato Gedu, the people of South Sudan and his Government will always stand by the Government of Ethiopia.

H.E. Gedu has also met with the Country’s Intelligence Chief General Akol Koor and conveyed a similar message.

Ato Gedu also met with the commanders of the Ethiopian peace keeping UN contingent in Juba.

Courtesy to Ethiopian Embassy in Juba

FM Demeke Meets With EU High Representative (November 25, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, yesterday held discussion with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of EU Commission Josep Borrell in Brussels, Belgium.

During the meeting, Demeke provided a briefing to Borrell about the current situations in Ethiopia, according to Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

He said the horrific atrocities committed by the rebellious TPLF clique at different times posed a threat to the stability of the country and the whole region.

Demeke also explained to Borrell about the atrocities committed by TPLF clique in Maikadra and the law enforcement operation in Tigray, which has now reached at a decisive moment.

The Government will take utmost care and act responsibly to give protection to civilians and allow access of humanitarian assistance to citizens in need, Demeke said.

Stating that the current law enforcement operation is a domestic affair, Demeke said the Government will strengthen its efforts of ensuring rule of law without the interference of others.

Similarly, Demeke also conferred with his Belgian counterpart Sophie Wilmes on the current situation in Ethiopia and the bilateral relations between the two countries.

He briefed Wilmes about the progress of law enforcement operation in Tigray regional state.

Wilmes on her part stressed the need to carry out the operation by giving the necessary care for civilians.

Finally, they agreed to elevate the level of the historical relations between the two countries.

Federal Government Condemns the Atrocities Committed by TPLF in Maikadra (November 24, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
November 24, 2020 Addis Ababa

The findings by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission on the grave human rights violations perpetrated by TPLF forces in Maikadra are heart-wrenching. The report is a confirmation of the earlier report by Amnesty International on the same incident.

The world has once again witnessed the atrocious crimes Ethiopia has to endure meted out by the TPLF criminal clique. As confirmed by the Commission, “the Maikadra attack is not a simple criminal act but is rather a premeditated and carefully coordinated grave violation of human rights.” The Commission’s finding confirms that the local TPLF security forces, in collaboration with a TPLF youth group called ‘the Samri,’ killed hundreds of people with full intent, a plan and preparation as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population.

As reported by the Commission, these are “grave human rights violations which may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes.”

We call upon the international community to condemn these atrocious acts of crimes against humanity and its perpetrators in no uncertain terms. The Government will spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice

FOREIGNPOLICY.COM: Ethiopia’s Government and the TPLF Leadership Are Not Morally Equivalent (November 24, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

Former Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn argues in his latest piece on “Foreign Policy” that those calling for talks [between the federal government and the TPLF junta] should understand that the very prospect of negotiating with the TPLF’s current leadership is an error—as a matter of both principle and prudence. He said “If the TPLF leadership is guaranteed the impunity it desires through an internationally brokered deal, the cause for justice and sustainable peace will be severely harmed. Above all, it creates a precedent for other groupings within the Ethiopian federation to learn the wrong lesson: that violence pays off.” The article raises a lot of issues and we cordially invite you to read it here:

https://bit.ly/39d2qH0

Ethiopia’s FM Holds Talks with Italian PM (November 24, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen held discussion with Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of Italy, in Rome today.

Demeke also delivered a message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Prime Minister Conte.

Demeke briefed the Italian PM about the law enforcement operation in Tigray regional state and said “the operation has reached at a decisive moment.”

The Italian Prime Minister for his part expressed his hope that the law enforcement operation, which is a domestic affairs, will be warped up with utmost care.

The two also agreed to work together to elevate the relations between the two countries to a new high, according to the Ethiopian Embassy in Rome.

PM Security Advisor Gedu Briefs President Of Somalia On Operation In Tigray (November 24, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

H.E. Gedu Andargachew, Security Advisor of H.E. PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed, briefed the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Formajo on Monday (November 23) about the ongoing law enforcement operation in Tigray.

H.E. Gedu explained that the law enforcement operation in the Tigray Region is proceeding very well as planned and the Government of Ethiopia would soon give an end to the lawlessness of the TPLF Junta.

H.E. President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Formajo assured H.E. Gedu that the Government of Somalia is fully behind the Government of Ethiopia.

Maikadra Massacre of Civilians Is A Crime of Atrocity: EHRC (November 24, 2020)

/0 Comments/in /by

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has found that an atrocious massacre of civilians has been committed by an informal group of Tigrayan youth known as ‘Samri’, aided and abetted by members of what was then the local administration and security establishment in Maikadra, in Tigray Region’s Western Zone, on November 9th, 2020.

EHRC visited Maikadra, Abrhajira, Sanja, Dansha, Humera, and Gonder between November, 14 – 19, 2020 as part of its investigation into human rights violations whose preliminary findings have been released today.

The preliminary findings state that what transpired in Maikadra on November 9th, 2020, including the killings, bodily and mental injury, as well as the destruction that went on throughout the night, the overall conduct and results thereof, strongly indicate the commission of grave human rights violations which may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The full extent of the evidence and elements of the crime will be further examined in detail in the full report, the Commission said.

The preliminary report finds that before retreating from the advance of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), the local militia and police security apparatus joined forces with members of the Samri group to carry out door-to-door raids and kill hundreds of people they identified as ethnic “Amharas and Wolkait origin”, by beating them with sticks, stabbing them with knives, machetes and hatchets and strangling them with ropes.

They also severely injured many people and looted or destroyed properties.

Based on testimony gathered so far, EHRC estimates that at least 600 civilians were killed. The death toll could be higher still as there are reports of individuals unaccounted for at the time of EHRC’s visit and bodies hidden in fields outside Maikadra.

Members of Samri, with the help of the local police and militia, moving from house to house and from street to street, began a cruel and atrocious rampage on people they profiled as Amharas and Wolkaits.

They killed hundreds of people, beating them with sticks, stabbing them with knives, machetes and hatchets and strangling them with ropes.

While Samri, comprised of several groups consisting of 20 to 30 youth, each accompanied by  an estimated 3 to 4 armed police and militia, carried out the massacre, police and militia – strategically posted at street junctions – aided and directly participated in the carnage by  shooting at those who attempted to escape.

Amidst the harrowing acts of the Tigrayan informal youth group, Samri, survivors also tell many stories of humane actions where other residents also of ethnic Tigrayan origin, who saved many lives by hiding targets in their homes, in churches and in farms fields.

EHRC’s Chief Commissioner Daniel Bekele said, “The unimaginably atrocious crime committed against civilians for no reason other than their ethnicity is heartbreaking.”

He added that “Yet we are consoled by the stories of Ethiopians who saw beyond ethnic origin to come to the aid of their compatriots in their time of need. These stories keep the hope of a return to peaceful coexistence going”.

“It is now urgent priorities that victims are provided redress and rehabilitation, and that perpetrators involved directly or indirectly at all levels are held to account before the law.”