Tigray is warring with all odds, but who’s war, is it?

BY: W. Yilma

January 21, 2022

Since November 4, 2020, Tigray is the epicenter of war and conflicts. Abiy Ahmad Ali and his associates namely, the despotic regime of Eritrea, Isayas, and the Amhara extremist groups who works tirelessly a propaganda campaigns since Ali came to power prepared the ground for the military invasion of Tigray, with the aim to destroy totally the social fabrics as well as the livelihoods of the people of Tigray. This coordinated and well-planned conspiracy which was designed both internally and externally is not secret for many foreign as well as domestic politicians who closely follows Ethiopian politics since Ali came to power.  From the beginning the well-designed propaganda campaigns which was implemented by Ali himself and his paid supporters, mainly residing in foreign countries is a replica of what has been carried out by Nazi Germany against the Jewish people in the second world war. Not only the propaganda campaigns, but also what is going on in Ethiopia currently under Ali government and his external supporters against the people of Tegarus is similar to the crimes committed by Nazi Germany against the Jewish people. What is strange to see now is that many countries, such as Eritrea, Somalia, United Arab Emirate, Iran, Turki, China, Israel and the Russia Federation and many other countries are openly supporting Ali to commit the ongoing multifaceted crimes against the people of Tigray in the name of keeping the territorial integrities of the country. Knowing he (Ali) has blocked Tigray 360 degrees, and not allowing to get access to Sudan through Humera, he is accusing Tigray as if Tigray is getting military assistances from foreign countries. Besides, to justify his barbaric genocidal war, he fabricated false narrative that the life and death struggle of the people of Tigray for their survival is to secede from Ethiopia. Similarly, the blatant false narrative “the Northern command of the Ethiopia military was attacked by Tigray force” is a complete lie.  The Northern command was attacked after Abiy, Isayas and the Amhara militias and special forces are deployed their forces to invade Tigray from all sides.  Therefore, the preemptive strike by Tigray forces to the Northern Ethiopia military establishments should not be considered as a justification to Ali to start war against the people of Tigray. As far as I know the question of the people of Tigray is self-determination, which is the core component of the current constitution as well as the aspiration of others Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and People! This simple demand which is a democratic right of any people should have not been the cause to bring such a devastating result for the country and its people. The Ethiopian socio-economic fabric at this time is crushed to the level where it is hard to bring peace and economic stability in the country.! But for the naïve and fascist Ali supporters this reality is considered as a progress.

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If we scrutinize the history of similar conflicts that has happened elsewhere in our world, such as Yemen, Syria, and Libya, there are different foreign actors involved in support of either the government or the opposition groups. We do not see such scenario in Ethiopia conflict today. All foreign actors who are enemy of each other are supporting Ali government directly or indirectly and involved in the ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide in Tigray. If foreign countries (some of them are poor) openly involved in support of Ali to commit crime against the people of Tigray, why the Western countries who speak loud in condemning the crime committed by Ali government refrain from taking tangible action to stop the ongoing crime? It is regrettable to see that those countries disappointed for not taking actions before the genocide which has happened in Rwanda or the ethnic cleansing that has happened in the former Yugoslavia are now watching as a spectator while the same crimes are committed against the people of Tigray. It seems Ali have approval from the international communities to commit any crimes against the people of Tigray. On the other hand, in any conflicts, food, fuel, medicines and other necessary commodities are allowing to get into the war affected people. Sadly, in Tigray this was denied, and all age groups are dying in front of the world communities. Those actors who forced to reach supplies to the war affected people elsewhere in our world, this time they shut their mouth as if the people of Tigray have less value than other people. This is not only a double standard, but it shows how the world communities are cruel when it comes to the people of Tigray! This is why it is appropriate to say that the people of Tigray are fighting alone against all odds, but with certainty they will overcome the many challenges they faced today.  The civilized world knows what war is and what consequences it brought to the people affected, in particular to the well-beings and health of pregnant and breast-feeding women and unborn and newborn children. What kind of generation Tigray will have if basic necessary foods, medical supplies, and vaccine not interred Tigray for unforeseen time period? Does this is not known for the developed nations politicians, and the world organizations? Is getting access to health services and live in peace a universal right of all peoples regardless of their race, gender, age and who they are and where they live? Why the world communities become indifference and cruel to the people of Tigray?  For how long the world communities will be tolerated Ali for complete blockage of basic necessities to the people of Tigray?  How long those Tegarus with preexisting conditions stay without a necessary support? How many of those already died because of Ali barbaric blockade? How many children died or become malnourished due to lack of proper care because of lack of vaccines, and imposing deliberate starvation by Ethiopian government? How many pregnant and those women’s who gave birth died or have acquired lifelong debilitating diseases because of the approval of the world communities the actions Ali took to block the people of Tigray from getting access to basic necessities?   

At the start of the war the action taken by president Bidon administration was encouraging. Unfortunately, then after it become apparent that the administration is giving a leap service, and in some case, it seems that they work differently behind the curtain. The reason I said this is because, I do not think the direct military supports Ali government is receiving both from those countries mentioned above and beyond is uncovered for the United States of America (even though they knew the weapons entering Finfine are causing huge collateral damages to innocent civilians from all sides). For some it seems strange to see why Ali mange to get military support from both Muslim, Atheist, and Christian countries. The simple answer to this is that when Ali talks with Muslim countries, he pretends to be a Muslim, and the same approaches he followed when he met with Christian and Atheist countries. What is clear though is that when Ali pays a visit abroad, first in most cases the Ethiopian foreign ministry does not know his visit schedule, and second no Ethiopian diplomat allows to be around him during his discussions with the host officials. The second question is why all these countries (in particular the Arabs) sided with him to commit crime against the people of Tigray? To my understanding there are two main reasons for this. The first is related to the past history of Tigray, Ethiopia. As we know it is the people of Tigray who first accepted Christianity and who fought and paid huge sacrifices to stop the Arabs expansionists in Ethiopia (the people in Eritrea, the highlanders also share this history). Hence, for some Arab countries, in particular for Turk, Erdogan destroying the social fabrics of Tegarus and their historical places is destroying the Orthodox belief and traditions of the whole Ethiopia. Ali deeply believes (he clearly indicated in his poorly written prosperity party documents) that Orthodox belief is an enemy of development and civilization. The second is related to geo-politics and economic interest. As long as they provide him armaments and experts, Ali has promised the Arab countries to do whatever business they want in the country without competing with other foreign investors.  Besides country like China, Turki and United Arab Emirate and Saudi Arabia have invested in Ethiopia during EPRDF era in billions of dollars, and they want to keep their investments interests by helping Ali to stay in power. Other than these facts, Ali also has a plan to completely destroy the historical places and social fabrics of the Northern societies, in particular the Tigrian’s (which includes the present Eritrea highlanders) and the Amhara’s.  I do think, thanks to extremist Amhara elites, Ali and Ethiopians number one enemy Shabia achieved what they want. To me I can’t say the chance has gone, but it will be very, very difficult and a challenge to bring together the Ethiopian societies to live in harmony as before. The damages done against the people of Tigray by Ethiopian in particular some Amhara elites is beyond repair and imaginable!  In my entire life, I have never seen or read in history the hate spews by some Amhara elites against the people of Tigray these days. Listening the media outlets owned by Ali and his supporters clearly shows the level and magnitudes of hate some elites have against the people of Tigray. The hate is deep, deep rooted and if they got the power and the chance, they would not hesitate to commit atrocious crimes the world has never seen before!  Thanks God, the entire people of Tigray are aware of this, and they are ready to fight the enemy until death!

We know how Ali came to power. It is with the help of United States of America, and the willingness of the former EPRDF party members. The majority of Ethiopians, including myself were happy and supported him without knowing how monster he is. Now I believe United State, department of State pretty well knew who Ali is. Ali, with unstable mind is very ambitious to lead Ethiopia the same way as Isayas Afewerki is ruling the state of Eritrea today. Isayas is his role model, hence unless he removed by force Ali will not have any intentions either to share power or to leave office. This is the end of the story!  Besides there are groups “with short memory” who blindly supported him no matter what atrocious crimes he committed against his own people. Hence, as long as Ali is in power the blood bath will continue in Ethiopia and the world communities will remain as a spectator! Who cares their leap service speech “we are gravely concerned” given by United Nation Guterres, and the leaders and politicians of many other countries? To me the United Nation in particular the current officials are cooperated with Ali’s crime in killing of Tegarus. If this is not true what is the meaning of crime against humanity, ethnic cleansing and its last stage genocide? Is the United Nation changed the definitions and meanings of these crimes? Are the world communities really believe that neither of these crimes are committed in Tigray by Ali and his collaborators? Is it not the United Nation who cooperated with the enabler “the Ethiopian Human Right Commission” to investigate the crimes committed against the people of Tigray? What methodology they followed to investigate? The 19^th century?  How we expect truth when the criminals are part and parcels of the investigation process?  Regarding the head of the United Nation, I believe he is one of the protectorates of Ali’s crime. I am not sure if he really knows what his job descriptions are! The impotency of Guterres forced me to ask myself, is he in fond of dictators?  Antonio Guterres failed not only the people of Tigray but also the world communities. Because ignoring the genocide in Tigray is allowing elsewhere in the world to happen again. By blocking 360-degree, arbitrary killing, and arresting; using sexual violence as a weapon of war to humiliate Tegarus of all ages, illegally confiscating and destroying Tegarus private and public properties and infrastructures, stealing their money, not allowing basic human needs, denying peace, access to health, bank, communication, schooling services, and terrorizing the people by indiscriminate bombardment using drones and fighter jet etc. If the world communities refrain from calling this a genocide, what word or terminology are they looking to replace it?  Unless it is cruelty, and cooperation I do not see the reason why the world communities are afraid of to call the crimes committed in Tigray by Ali a genocide!  

Understanding the above facts, the only solution to the people of Tigray to come out of the current situation is to fight tooth and nail until the enemies defeated! Imagine, in Amhara and other parts of the country those Tegarus living their entire life with harmonies with their neighbors (even some of them do not speak their native language Tigringa or have never been in Tigray) are savagely massacred and left their body to eat by dogs and hyena or they burnt their corpse. Ali and his associates, including the world communities and the United Nations knew this crime, but with no tangible action taken so far! Think twice, if these beasts manage to come to Tigray again what will they do to the people? Why should I afraid to say the truth, while the beasts are committed crime in day light and live freely and enjoying their life and awarded by Ali the highest military rank? Three days ago, I discussed about the crimes committed against the people of Tigray by Ali regime with my close “friend” who is not Tigrawai. The reply I got from him is heartbreaking, and I said myself, with home I lived all those years? What remind me is that if not the majority of the German people supported Hitler, the Nazi party would have not been committed such crimes against Jewish people. The same is true in today’s Ethiopia. The Fascist Ali, a populist has many young fascist followers. Their common denominators are, create conflicts by repeated lie, deceive, distort, disseminate false information, create enemy and destroy them by mobilizing the “short memory followers”.  Today it is against the people of Tigray, but tomorrow and the days after fascism will ingulf the different Nations, Nationalities, and people of Ethiopia. Then celebrating death and the suffering of human beings will be a daily life for many Ethiopians! Families will start sending their children’s not to school but to military camps, like Eritrea, a model for today’s Ethiopia!

Last, but not least, many people think that at this time Ali is willing to negotiate with other political parties, and peace is likely. I absolutely disagree with those who think peace is possible in near future in Ethiopia as long as Ali is in power. The reason I said this is not because I am pessimistic, but I do not think Ali state of mind is normal and capable to understand the complex and very challenging Ethiopian current affairs, which includes mainly political, social, and economic spheres.  What I know now about current Ethiopia is that the war will not end, because of the following.

1.   The war in Tigray is primarily the war of the Amhara extremist, and the Eritrean despotic regime. Ali role in this war is as an enabler to keep his power in Ethiopia. However, what is common in both psych is that they both have deep rooted hate against the people of Tigray. The crimes they committed against the people of Tigray is evidence to confirm these facts. Therefore, if peace comes, they both new they will be accountable and a possibility to face justice at the International Criminal Court.

2.   Unless miracle happen, Ethiopia unity has severely affected mainly by the involvement of many foreign actors, and these foreign actors do not allow Ali to stop the war. These foreign actors knew that if Ali agreed to stop the war first, they will not get their money Ali has purchased armaments from them and second, they knew they too will be accountable for the crimes committed in Tigray.

3.   Ali will not put in place the status quo ante, plus he will not allow to resume public services in Tigray (he illegally confiscated billions of dollar worth from Tegaru and spend it for the war). Unless Shabia and the Amhara extremist fascists groups got what they want (complete annihilation and destroying of the social fabrics of Tigray and illegally confiscating land from Tigray) they will not allow Ali to make a peace deal with Tigray and other Ethiopian politicians.

4.   The appetite of the Amhara elites land grab will not end in Tigray. They will expand to other part of Ethiopia. The first and second victims will be Oromia and Benishangul Gumuz respectively. Therefore, to fulfill their goals, using Ethiopian human and financial resources will continue in the name of “keeping the territorial integrity of Ethiopia”. Because of this, they will stand against any peace process in Ethiopia. Behind the Amhara elites’ interests, Shabia is always there in assumption that Eritrean elites will also sharing the economic benefits in the future. I said multiple time in my previous articles posted in this web site that there is a secret agreement between Shabia and the Amhara elites that are hidden to Ali himself. What should be clear here is that the Amhara elites has already know that unless they managed to rule Ethiopia as before, they are decided either to create a new country by their own or by united with Eritrea. This is why at this time they both are active in Afar to persuade the people of Afar to join their hidden agendas.

Last, unless the international communities take bold and decisive measures to force the negotiation parties in particular Abiy Ahmed Ali, I do not have hope Ali is willing to bring peace in Ethiopia. Taking measures by the international communities is not considered as an interference of in the internal affairs of Ethiopia. There are international norms every country should follow and respect when it comes to universal declaration of human right and global security. If there is a miracle to persuade Ali to sit for negotiations, the first demand (not considered as a precondition) what the Ethiopian oppositions should demand is a total and unconditional withdrawal of all Eritrean intelligence and military personnel from Ethiopian territory. To demands this simple and legal issue is not only a legitimate question, but also it will expose Ali whether or not he is truly willing to negotiate with Ethiopians as an Ethiopian to bring peace in the country and the region as a whole. Understanding the suffering of the people of Tigray and the pain all Tegarus and their few supporters experiencing at the hands of criminals, I pray day and night to bring peace not only for those victims, but also for those who born to commit crimes against innocents in the eyes of the world communities. 

 

Tigray will prevail!