BY ADDISALEM MULAT
In the early morning of 4 November 2020, the TPLF junta attacked the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces stationed in the Tigray region. They made happen indescribable human suffering by demonstrating outrageous cruelty and unmatched disloyalty.
Sad as it may sound, the TPLF junta ended up stabbing in the back ENDF that has been protecting the people of Tigray from foreign aggression carrying out a wide variety of development undertakings in the Tigray.
Nobody had imagined they would get themselves involved in this kind of cruel act. At first, they were sure that they would bring themselves back to power making the most of all available unlawful means.
Thenceforward, ENDF embarked on undertaking law enforcement operations in the length and breadth of the region with a focus on enforcing law and order, bringing fugitives to justice, restoring legitimate administration in the region, and more of the same.
When the law enforcement operation was over and done with, some western nations started disseminating cooked-up stories that do not reflect the honest truth going on across the Tigray region. They were either deceived by smear campaign or condoned the hard facts.
Despite the claims of the international communities over humanitarian assistance and human right situations, the Ethiopian government has been doing its level best to give unfettered access and minimizes human right violations. In fact, it is the government that has been delivering 70 percent of assistances.
On a stark contrast, many organizations intentionally or unintentionally have been coming up with allegations of using starvation and hunger as weapons of war. This has been debunked by many factual evidences and run in contradiction to the reality on the ground.
However, after months of successful law enforcement operation in the region, the Ethiopian government on Monday announced that it has accepted the request of the Provisional Administration of Tigray for unilaterally ceasefire.
In a statement issued on Monday, Federal government stated that the provisional administration’s request came after due consideration of the needs on the ground and following the consultations with academics, business community and religious leaders and elders from the Region.
The Federal government understands that the people of Tigray, especially those in the rural areas, have suffered greatly. Battling desert locust, the COVID19 pandemics, the displacement and interruption of farming activities due to the criminal clique’s instigation of violent conflict have left many in the region exposed to untold suffering. Thus, the Federal government believes that the current challenge in the Tigray Region needs to be addressed expeditiously given the risk of humanitarian crisis confronting our people.
Despite the Federal government’s effort to facilitate unfettered humanitarian access, humanitarian workers still face challenges to reach all areas in the region to deliver urgently needed humanitarian assistance to those in need and avert potential risk of serious food insecurity.
“Moreover, while efforts are underway to provide agricultural inputs to the farmers, it has been difficult to ensure that all farmers in the region are able to plant during this farming season. It is essential that the planting season ahead is not disrupted lest farming communities will miss it with grave consequences for their livelihoods.”
There is also an urgent need to accelerate the return of internally displaced persons to their place of origin. This is a challenge that needs to be addressed as soon as practically possible.
In light of the foregoing, the Federal government has decided to address the above challenges in a forthright, frank, and bold manner. Accordingly, it has decided to enact a Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire (pause in military activities), which takes immediate effect as of 28th June 2021 with a view to addressing the above-mentioned challenges, the statement added.
“The Federal government has decided to do so with the conviction that this measure will help ensure better humanitarian access and strengthen the effort to rehabilitate and rebuild the Tigray region. Therefore, all Federal and Regional civil and military institutions have been ordered to implement the ceasefire in accordance with the directions set out by the Federal Government.”
The decisions of the government have been welcomed by different countries and international organizations.
Reacting on the matter, U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price as quoted by U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, said that the Government of Ethiopia’s announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in the Tigray region could be a positive step if it results in changes on the ground to end the conflict, stop the atrocities, and allow unhindered humanitarian assistance.
“Our paramount priority is addressing the dire humanitarian situation. The United States stands ready to work with the Ethiopian government, Tigrayan authorities, the United Nations, and other international partners to expedite the delivery of life-saving food assistance,” added Price.
By the same token, the British Embassy in Ethiopia has welcomed the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire in Tigray.
Meanwhile, France through its Embassy in Ethiopia came up with the same statement saying the announcement of a ceasefire in Tigray is a major development, which should be encouraged and consolidated.
Among the African organizations, the African Union Commission was the first to react to the decision.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat has welcomed the declaration of humanitarian ceasefire in Tigray region by the Federal government of Ethiopia.
The chairperson called on all parties to uphold their responsibilities under international law to protect civilians and guarantee safe access for humanitarian actors to render crucial services to the affected populations in the region.
He affirmed the continued readiness of the African Union to support all Ethiopian efforts in the pursuit of peace and stability in the country.
Another close ally, China also has welcomed the ceasefire. China’s foreign ministry said the decision would “ensure the normal operation of farming and humanitarian relief work there” reported South China Post.
“We sincerely hope that people in the Tigray region and the rest of Ethiopia will enjoy peace and stability, and achieve development and prosperity,” ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday adding: “We support relevant parties in Ethiopia in realizing national reconciliation through political dialogue. We believe that Ethiopia has the wisdom and capability to properly handle its internal affairs.”
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JULY 1/2021
