– Lieut. Gen. Yohannes Gebremeskle
In November last year, the government started taking law enforcement operation in Tigray State in response to the sudden attack by the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) junta against the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF). Since then the government has succeeded in ousting the junta from Tigray and established an interim administration. The Command Post established also is engaged in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
Concerning the signs of progress made in the region, the Ethiopian Press Agency has interviewed Lieutenant General Yohannes Geberemeskel, Commander of the Command Post. Excerpts:
It is known that you were assigned to coordinate the command post based on the problem in Tigray. What was the situation in Tigray like when you took office?
The situation in Tigray, as everyone knows, was full of problems. The problem remained unresolved for six months. When the command post came into operation, the conflict did not end. As a result, security forces have been deployed to reduce the conflict. The government has shown great potential in special operations. However, the conflict has not been resolved. The goal was not achieved. There are still informal conflicts and displacements everywhere. So the command post has been struggling since its inception.
What changes have occurred since you took over, what about the current situation?
Many infrastructures were destroyed during the conflict. It is recalled that the lights, telephones, and roads were badly damaged. The region was as dark as the region. Banking has also stopped. However, once the command post came in, many things were changed. To this end, it is the work done in major cities. It is a change to be able to work without any problems, even with the new Birr note.
Although the damage to the infrastructure has been immense, the responsibility and willingness of the government are enormous, and it has come a long way in terms of the damage that is being addressed. This situation is calculated as a percentage, for example, banking access is more than 80 per cent, and electricity is also reached. By reworking and spending a lot of money, the service has been restored. The same goes for the phone, which is also easy. It is getting wide coverage and is operational.
Although private banks have not started, Commercial Bank [of Ethiopia] can provide more coverage. For example, cities such as Adigrat, Mayhew, Axum, Adwa and Shire are receiving good services. The only thing left to do in the region is road construction. Bridges are badly damaged and difficult to repair. However, efforts are underway to find a solution. In particular, the current situation has been studied and facilitated to work before winter. Then strong teams will be deployed, at least in the winter. It allows you to do your best after winter. This will be done as it is necessary to restore.
Another problem is with the community: Conflict is normal and has caused widespread unrest here and there. Moreover, it has caused much displacement. To that end, we have made the necessary provisions. For example, the three main things are voluntary, food, shelter and medicine. Of these, the most challenging is the housing issue. I think it will be a big threat, especially during winter. On the other hand, positive changes have taken place because the government is committed and the command post is working hard.
How is the humanitarian response progressing in light of the crisis?
The government is covering 70 per cent and supporting it as much as possible. But there are many challenges to getting this support to where it is needed. Primarily, the storage is unified so that it does not reach everyone on time. At the same time, bridges were severely damaged to reach many displaced communities, and these communities were not able to take full advantage of the support. This, in turn, undermines the government’s ability to make sacrifices. It also reduces special attention. The number of displaced people is so large that the number of victims may increase. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, we need to work ahead of winter.
The need for support is not just for the displaced but for the entire population. As a result, the problems caused by infrastructure problems will also affect the residents. In addition to facilitating the supply for both parties, it was agreed that a storage centre would be needed. For example, there are 600,000 IDPs in the Shire alone. The figure in Axum Adwa and others will be no less. To reach them, action must be taken before the onset of the winter and to provide humanitarian assistance. Therefore, efforts are underway to open the centre in Axum.
Regarding foreign aid, some have started, but it is not effective. Now that the government has given them a chance, if they come in and help, they can show their goodness. Of course, this could be due to bureaucracy and similar problems. But if they are human, they cannot be given any more opportunity. I think this is a time for them to work hard to show that they care. But in their current state of affairs, they are nowhere to be found. Their expected and practical response did not match.
What is being done to make the civil structure of the region down to kebele and woreda?
The structure is under pressure at the same time because the conflict has not been short-lived. Because when the defence is in place, there is stability and good activity. When it is forcibly relocated, instability ensues. Officials are also vulnerable, which prevents them from performing their duties properly. There will be those who will be released. This has led to a lack of stability, even at the leadership level.
It is also difficult to provide a permanent service with them without a permanent security force. Keeping the defence in one place can be a challenge for others. It is mandatory to move because defensiveness can only be stabilized. And much remains to be done to strengthen the existing structure at the woreda and zonal levels. It also requires a lot of work. As a result, the structure of the woreda and kebele did not allow them to do their job properly.
This issue needs to be addressed. And although there is no such thing as a local security force, some efforts are being made to talk to the federal government about this. Otherwise, even the region will not be able to pass the test.
What kind of support are you giving to the regional civil administration, especially in terms of security, budget, job creation and the like?
There are development projects undertaken by the federal government related to the budget. This is done because there is a board consisting of federal offices. Therefore, this board performs a wide range of functions, from repair to operation. We help them with security, information and what they need.
In the case of the region, we will coordinate the delivery of aid and salaries with the security forces. In particular, the issue of wage transfer should be closely monitored; Many tasks are performed to arrive at the desired location on time. The same can be said of helping private organizations get started. Because if they can’t work, Tigray’s problem will not be solved by government workers alone. We also undertake motivation activities. There is a lot of help in making the employee not only a wage earner but also an employee. This will be done by pushing the interim administration.
Some international organizations say they are using famine, rape and other activities as weapons in Tigray.
What do you think about this?
As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of people coming to the shelter. Efforts are still being made to meet their needs. From now on, we will work hard so that we do not listen to others. We are running with the time. Our focus is on getting ahead, especially since winter is a time of crisis. They were also allowed to witness that the food supply was improving. I hope they will raise their concerns then.
When it comes to health, there is much that can be done. Because the destruction of property cannot be recovered quickly, it is not possible for developing countries or the powerful. As a result, a mobile clinic is being set up to provide the necessary services, as there are not enough health facilities to provide health services. I think this shows that it saves the government’s efforts from being criticized.
Hunger will inevitably affect those who do not come to shelter. In addition, nearly two million people are supported by Safety Net. As a result, there may be gaps in access. The area where we did not arrive on time was probably starving.
Even if there is a war, there will be no famine and no death. This is the worst part of the war. All problems are compounded by society. There will be no community without treatment. So it turned out to be a tragedy. The time was not easy. The community is in trouble. He also travels from place to place to save his life. Therefore, it is important to focus on the solution, not on who is saying what.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the United Nations have agreed to work together on the situation in the region. The government has allowed it. How do you support them in terms of security and the like?
No one has yet come to the rescue. But I found an Advance Team and informed them that we were ready for anything they needed from us. According to the report, various human rights groups in the region are engaged in various activities. But I don’t think the Coalition has started working. Because they told us that they were expecting something in return and that they were getting ready. Therefore, we may be able to provide the necessary support.
What is the current situation of the Psychological Situation of the People of Tigray, especially in light of the consequences of the conflict?
We have to work on the psychological pressure, but there is a matter of eating and living before that and we are working there. Saving his life means that we reduce our psychological stress. Because every problem in life increases psychological pressure. If we say no, it will only make matters worse.
The appointment of a psychologist will be done first after you have solved the problem. We are now being supported professionally; I can’t say we have too many experts. A person also needs psychotherapy. Because many have been displaced, lost their families, and their possessions destroyed. No professional can cure this. I believe this will work even after the humanitarian aid is well received.
What does the command post plan to do to stabilize Tigray?
Four main factors can stabilize Tigray. These will be the priority to create security in the region and accelerate peacebuilding. As mentioned above, this work must be done first if the community in the woreda and zonal areas is to be stable. Defence alone cannot provide complete security. And it is designed to work harder to fill the gaps. Since the conflict is normal, he is working on a strategy that suits him. It will not only solve the task of the command post, but it will also require the efforts of others, including the federal government.
The second plan is to rehabilitate the displaced people and provide them with more than 90 per cent of their livelihoods. Otherwise, he would be in serious trouble. Now is the time to do that, and the command post will do this with other partners.
The third is the issue of infrastructure; There is a lot of activity going on right now. Many are returning to where they were. Some bridges were badly damaged and could not be repaired immediately. Efforts are also being made to address these issues before the winter. However, it takes a lot of work to keep everyone on the road and other infrastructure. Therefore, the next step of the command post is to restore the infrastructure and make it accessible to all.
Fourth is the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to all; To this end, additional centres will be opened to facilitate the distribution. It is difficult to get close, especially now that there is only a distribution in Mekele. Another plan is to open warehouses in Axum and similar areas to facilitate access and support for health services.
What can we do to find a lasting solution to the region’s instability?
The problem is in Tigray, but the damage is to the country as well. Therefore, the solution must come as a nation. It is not far off from us. We are one country, one people, and it is a voluntary obligation to work together for the sake of tomorrow. War begins at one end. The destination is unknown. There is nothing wrong with that. Therefore, there must be stones that everyone throws only for the sake of peace and peace.
Some forces want to prolong the conflict. And some frighten the youth. But they are far from the fire and want to use us. In this way, they kill the youth at an early age. Therefore, neither the youth nor the community will benefit, so it must be vigilant. It is a time to pay the price for peace, not to brag about it. So there is no need to separate here. It is also important to stop and think that what I am doing is enough.
We need to understand that we are living in the present, not in the past, but the future. Therefore, everyone needs to leave the past and live for the present and make the future brighter. It is also important to stand together for the common good. The media should also help. It must also be a captive to peace. Because to be captivated by peace is to be a hero. The price we pay for peace will also protect our country, which will honour our many things. They are the creators and destroyers of war, so we must work to end the war in a way that addresses our differences. I urge all of us as apostles of peace to work for the security of our country.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald May 18/2021
