Council Of Ministers Approves Resolution Designating TPLF And Shene As Terrorist Organizations (May 1, 2021)

The Council of Ministers has approved a resolution designating the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Shene as terrorist organizations.

In a statement issued today, the Council blamed the two organizations for the attacks carried out in various parts of the country targeting civilians to derail the reforms introduced over the past three years.

In the last three years, there have been a number of attacks on civilians in various parts of the country to reverse the reforms that have taken place through the demands and struggles of the Ethiopian people for democracy and human rights.

As a result, many lives have been lost and maimed, citizens have been displaced and properties were destroyed. These attacks have left society in constant anticipation of danger and tear, undermine trust in the government and among the people. Various evidences point to the existential threat faced by the state as a result of these organized actions.

These attacks have been perpetrated against innocent civilians and through the destruction of public infrastructure for political purposes and to achieve political goals or objectives.

These attacks, which have been taking place in different parts of the country, have had different perpetrators. But behind the attacks are groups that have played a leading role in orchestrating, funding, providing ideas, training culprits, providing media coverage and assistance.

It is also clear that these groups are being exploited by foreign forces seeking to weaken, disrupt and dismantle Ethiopia. The crimes that these entities have committed and perpetrated are acts of terrorism.

It is easy to see that these activities fully comply with the definition of terrorism under Article 3 of Proclamation No. 1176/2020 on the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism Crimes. Instead of individually holding accountable members and supporters of these organizations for their terrorist activities, designating the organizations as terrorist organizations according to the law is deemed more practical to better control and prevent acts of terrorism.

Therefore, in accordance with Articles 18 and 19 of Proclamation No. 1176/2020 on the Prevention and Suppression or Terrorism Crimes, and since “Tgray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)” and “Shene” operate as terrorists and their management or decision-makers have acknowledged or are leading destructive activities on the nation, and since terrorism is a general feature of the organizations, a resolution has been tabled to designate these organizations as terrorist organizations.

In accordance with Article 23 of Proclamation No. 1176/2020 on the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism Crimes, this decision will become applicable to organizations and individuals who collaborate, have links with or relate to the ideas and actions of the designated terrorist organizations and others who have engaged in similar activities.