BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
The Horn of Africa is complex and volatile region due to diversity of the population. The region also falls into different local and foreign interests. Diversity is both a burden and opportunity. It would be an opportunity if it is handled properly. If not, it would endanger the political landscape of the region. Unfortunately, many times the region drag itself into conflict due to lack of proper management of diversity and interests. Inability to defend oneself from foreign intervention is also a cause for the region to constantly bend to war.
Though Ethiopia has never been an aggressor, it has been plunging into conflicts and war many times and suffered a lot. Internal conflicts were also Ethiopia’s constant bottlenecks to its development ambition. Cognizant of this, Ethiopia has made bitter decisions that maybe to its disadvantages but champion peace.
It is not long ago since Ethiopia made peace with neighboring Eritrea with which it waged a two year long bloody border war. The rapprochement with Eritrea was a move that surprised the world and for which Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won Nobel laureate award for peace. Since then Ethiopia and Eritrea became good neighbors and are widening political and socioeconomic relation.
Ethiopia has also helped the region to find peace. The South Sudan warring parties peace deal, negotiating of transitional council in Sudan and assisting Somalia in peacekeeping and other peace related efforts are few to mention. It is also a home to the largest refugee population in Africa.
Sadly, eight months ago a traitorous act of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) led Ethiopia into conflict. TPLF has been waging propaganda war on the federal government for almost two years. Prior to the triggering the conflict the federal government had tried its best to solve the issue in a peaceful manner. As confrontation continued to escalate, government made several attempts including sending of elders and public figures for negotiation but to no avail.
At the midnight of 4th November Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) headquarters Mekelle and bases in Adigrat, Agula, Dansha and Sero in the Tigray region have been attacked by armed forces of TPLF. This was the tipping point that pushed government to wage a law and order enforcement operation in the region. Just after 15 days it achieved much of its intended objectives like capturing of leadership of the criminal clique and freed national military arsenals. The offensive however has cost many lives and properties. In the course of the operation the criminal clique was using civilians as a shield. Next to the military offensive, the army was able to search for leaders of the terrorist junta. Notorious leaders of the group hence killed or held captive.
In this process, some members of the international community were insisting on the government to stop the operation and sit with the terrorist group for a negotiation. But this was unacceptable as time for talk has already gone over when the criminal clique attacked north command of the ENDF. The act of TPLF caused destruction and hence need to be reprimanded for crossing the red line, the government stressed.
However, the government also recognizes the need to minimize civilian casualties and destruction of properties. During the operation, it has allocated huge budget for humanitarian assistance and throughout the operation food and other assistance were being distributed to the people. On June 29, Ethiopian government decided and began withdrawing its forces from Mekelle and other parts of Tigray indicating the need to give people a space to process events and form constructive attitude. The time of silence is vital for people to recognize government’s efforts of maintaining law and order. On the other side planting season is approaching and farmers in the region should till their farm land.
Upon withdrawing, the government said it has achieved much of its intended objectives. Prime Minister Abiy Ahemd briefed journalists that the government decided to withdraw its forces from Mekelle and other parts of the region as it accomplished its mission. He says: “When we entered Mekelle seven or eight months ago, it was the center of gravity for conflicts. It was the center of government, a center of known and unknown resources. But by the time we exit, there is nothing special about it except that there are some 80,000 people…It has lost its center of gravity in the current context.”
Above all, the ceasefire is meant to give Tigryan farmers a peaceful time to carry out their farming activities as it is a planting season. This averts a looming crisis of hunger. The ceasefire will provide adequate access to humanitarian assistance as being repeatedly requested by the United States, European Union and international agencies.
During this time, people in general will also have another chance to value the government’s efforts as now people aren’t cooperative enough to the government’s efforts to maintain law and order. Civilian causalities and destruction of properties was rising because some people were sheltering, aiding and abetting the criminal group. The time of silence would be an opportune moment for the people to comprehend the government’s support and its thoughtfulness. When this brief time gets over the government anticipates people to cooperate and handover wanted criminals.
TPLF however does not seem to respect the ceasefire. It has continued its propaganda war. Just a day after the ceasefire announced, the junta began killing of civilians in Mekelle, destroyed the bridge over River Tekeze and attacked army in Korem town. The World is now witnessing these developments as terrorist group violating a ceasefire offer. The truce has started to expose TPLF’s hate to peace and on other side opens window for the international community to realize Ethiopia’s devotion to peace.
Government’s decision to withdraw its forces from Mekelle and other parts of the region is already being appreciated by many countries such as United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and United Arab Emirates. They say the move hints government’s readiness to explore peaceful means in resolving crisis in Tigray. The decision with no doubt help civilians to survive through humanitarian assistance coming from western donation or producing their food as peace returns to the region. Most of all, the ceasefire hints Ethiopia is time and again championing peace.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
The Ethiopian Herald July 9/2021
