BY ADDISALEM MULAT
As things currently stand, some international media outlets have been disseminating cooked-up stories all over the world on the grounds that they do not give prominence to journalism ethics and standard. They every now and then jump through hoops with the object of perplexing the international community with disinformation and misinformation.
In spite of the fact that Ethiopia bends over backwards in furtherance of familiarizing the international community with the existing reality on the ground, some international media outlets have been giving the cold shoulder to the naked truth and coming up with misleading information. They do not want to face the truth. However, all their efforts have been going for nothing.
It is to be recalled that when the TPLF junta cliques attacked the Northern command of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) in the early morning of 4 November 2020 that has been situated in the Tigray region, the international media outlets did not utter a word owing to the fact that they were not interested to report the news. They were persistently hiding the truth.
However, when ENDF embarked on undertaking law enforcement operations in the region, they jumpstarted partaking in smear campaign against the government of Ethiopia.
In the same manner, some international media outlets have been working with quite a lot of TPLF groups with the intention of pulling to bits Ethiopia and fulfilling the interest of third party. As a matter of fact, nothing makes them happier than interfering in the internal affairs of Ethiopia. They have been interfering in what does not concern them and moving heaven and earth to twist Ethiopia’s arm over and over again.
Notwithstanding the fact that international media outlets are on familiar terms with the fact that the government of Ethiopia has been endeavoring with the object of ensuring the smooth progress of humanitarian assistance across the region, the former have been reporting fake news on diverse occasions. It is no hyperbole to say for some international media outlets reporting the truth concerning Ethiopia is turning out to be a bitter pill to swallow.
But no matter how hard they try, and how far they travel, their efforts cannot bear fruit except temporarily perplexing the international community and wasting their precise time.
In this day and age, the government of Ethiopia has been providing humanitarian assistance to various people affected in the Tigray region. To this point, owing to the firm stance of the federal government, Ethiopia has been covering 70 percent of the humanitarian aid in the Tigray region.
According to information obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, in a pre-recorded video message, Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia said Ethiopia is disappointed by the campaign that is being waged against its handling of the situation in the Tigray region. He said what we need now is concrete support and, “a mission to undermine the unity, territorial integrity and the cohesion of the Ethiopian state, under the guise of humanitarian concern” is not acceptable.
As to the deputy minister, Ethiopia stands ready to work positively and constructively with all its partners to scale up humanitarian assistance, rebuild social cohesion, and restore basic services in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Therefore, what the country needs at this critical moment is the support of friends and partners and not uncalled for pressure that would complicate the situation further.
He went on to say, “What is saddening is the attempt to dictate terms to the country in ways that are not helpful. We do not consider this a friendly act. That is why the Ethiopian government cannot be expected to accept with equanimity this condescending approach. We are indeed disappointed by the campaign that is being waged against Ethiopia,”
In this regard, it is extremely regrettable to see that some within the international community have embarked on a mission to undermine the unity, territorial integrity and the cohesion of the Ethiopian state, under the guise of humanitarian concern. We urge these individuals and partners to desist from these unhelpful activities.
In this regard, accusations labelled against Ethiopia of using hunger as a weapon of war on its own citizens, is an egregious falsehood, and in no way calculated to help foster peace, harmony and stability. It should be noted that, in the first round of humanitarian response, effort was made to reach out to 4.5 million people in the Tigray region through the delivery of food and non-food items. In the second and third rounds, the relief efforts were able to reach out to 5.2 million people. So far, 170,798 metric tons of foods, worth $135 million have already been distributed. Currently, 6 operators namely World Food Program, World Vision, CARE, Relief Society of Tigray, Food for the Hungry and the Ethiopian government are providing food assistance in the region.
He stressed that the Ethiopian government has not only demonstrated its willingness and commitment to work with the international community to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, but it has also provided full and unfettered access for humanitarian actors to operate in all parts of the region, through a simplified blanket approval process. In the areas where safe movement of humanitarian cargo are strained, military escort is offered as a matter of last resort to reach those in need.
In this connection, we wish to point out here that we have credible evidence, indicating that some actors have attempted to smuggle weapons to arm the terrorist cell under the guise of humanitarian assistance. This is unacceptable.
There is no doubt about the enormity of the challenges in the Tigray region. It is through working with the government to accelerate the humanitarian response to reach out to every person in need that will address the problem. The Ethiopian government is well aware of its responsibilities towards its own citizens and its obligations under international humanitarian law.
“The Ethiopian government is using every ounce of its strength to mobilize all the necessary resources from within the country to reach out those in need, but its resources are limited. This is where the support and solidarity of the international community becomes all the more critical. We are grateful to those who lent a helping hand in this regard.” he wrapped up.
Be that as it may, in concluding the meeting with EU institutions Belgium and Luxembourg, a delegation led by Adem Farah, Speaker of the House of Federation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia met with Yves Cruchten, President of the Socialist Party, one of the coalition parties of Luxembourg and Chair of Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation, Immigration and Asylum, at the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on June 11, 2021.
On this occasion, the Speaker delivered a message from Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Furthermore, the Speaker briefed the Chair extensively on the current situation in Ethiopia, including the reform process taking place, the situation in Tigray region as well as on the upcoming General Election, according to information obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Cruchten on his part said that Luxembourg as a neutral Country has been following the situation in Tigray region closely and expressed its concern and continued interest to support the humanitarian situation.
Besides giving a detailed briefing, Adem has also addressed questions with regards to investigation on alleged human rights abuses, ensuring access to humanitarian agencies in Tigray as well as the existing environment in which the national elections is taking place.
By the same token, a delegation led by Muferiat Kamil, Minister of Peace of Ethiopia, has handed over Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s message to the President of the French Republic, President Emmanuel Macron.
President Macron’s special Advisor on African Affairs, Franck Paris has received the Prime Minister’s message on behalf of the President.
In the discussion between the two sides, Minister Muferiat gave a briefing on the multifaceted reforms that Ethiopia has been undertaking since the ascent of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to power and the results achieved thus far.
The Minister also spoke in detail about the situation in the Tigray region, with a special focus on the efforts of the federal government in rebuilding the region, apprehending criminals, and supporting the ongoing independent investigations on alleged atrocities in a bid to return the region to normalcy.
Muferiat has also appeared before the French Senate and discussed with the Vice President explaining the foundations that the current Ethiopian administration has been laying so far to build a peaceful and developed nation.
Minister Muferiat Kamil’s appearance in the French Senate and the discussion that followed her briefing on critical issues in Ethiopia were valuable inputs in clarifying foggy issues and strengthening the fraternal relations between the two countries.
The Ethiopian Herald June 16/2021
