BY ADDISALEM MULAT
On the heels of the reform and after downgraded to Tigray state, the TPLF group has been committing serious crimes after crimes. From orchestrating series conflicts in different parts of the country to attacking the Northern Command of Ethiopian Defense Forces, TPLF has been perpetrating horrendous offenses.
As if its previous crimes are not enough, the terrorist group is now committing crimes that amount war crimes. In the present climate, despondently, the clique has been recruiting child soldiers from every corner of the Tigray region to launch offensive against the people of Ethiopia. The unilateral humanitarian ceasefire declared by the federal government is seen as a blessing in disguise for the clique and is continuing to use civilians as human shield to perpetuate its crimes.
With Tigray mothers crying their eyes out over and over again for their beloved ones who have been losing their lives, the group according to valid media reports, is engaging children into fighting.
As the juntas are not in the position to lend their ears and listen only to their heartbeat mothers have been in agony. Following the unilateral ceasefire, children have forcefully engaged in a war. The terrorist junta groups have been recruiting children under eighteen years of age for their evil mission. Moreover, the juntas’ children attend school in Europe and the United States of America and lead a meaningful life. However, the poor Tigrayans’ children suffer from hunger and famine, and other related aspects.
Regardless of credible media reports, the international community has not uttered a word on the subject of the TPLF groups’ evil acts except unleashing maximum effort to accuse Ethiopian government of committing crimes.
The international community is take sides with the terrorist group by condoning visible war crimes time again and again.
To the surprise of everyone, as the terrorist group has been suffering from a huge blow by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, they have been pulling out all the stops targeting at inflicting havoc and knocking the nation off balance bringing the government’s unilateral ceasefire into play.
When the Ethiopian National Defense Forces pulled out its troops from every nook and cranny of the Tigray region for the love of making the Tigray farmers play a part in agricultural practice without restrictions in the rainy seasons, the TPLF junta embarked on killing civilians and beating the drums of war.
In a similar vein, they turned a blind eye to the unilateral ceasefire and set in motion perpetrating delinquencies after delinquencies. Besides, as its preceding mayhems are not sufficient, the terrorist group is gathering child soldiers utilizing them as cannon fodder.
Reacting to the heinous crimes of enlisting soldiers to fighting, Amdegebriel Admasu, a legal expert told The Ethiopian Herald that under the decree of the internal criminal court making use of children to fight in a war establishes a war crime. It is strongly forbidden by law. It is not allowed. This kind of act is a criminal one.
Furthermore, the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia perfectly suits with the international declarations.
He went on to say, “I would venture to say, as the international community is taking sides with the TPLF terrorist group, they have not made an effort to shed a light on the agony of children being used as fighters by TPLF group. This demonstrates in black and white their one-sidedness. If there is one thing they are more concerned is, it is the interest of the United Nations Security Council more than ever before.
While pointing fingers against the Ethiopian government, the international community is every so often turning a deaf ear on the grave crimes being committed by TPLF.
Following the law enforcement operations that took place in the length and breadth of the country, the international community has been getting themselves in smear campaigns; he said adding “The pressure of the international community is very high. Anyone can easily understand what is going on behind a closed curtain,” he added.
He further stated that by the way, using child soldiers in a war is an international crime. We have seen many countries facing charges and appearing before the court even in the horn of Africa. As to me, the terrorist TPLF group should be brought before the court.
“It is crystal clear that under the country’s laws, the TPLF has been designated as a terrorist organization. Ethiopia can take the case to international courts using this as evidence.” he wrapped up.
Against this backdrop, some students, who have heard that their peers going to war have been dismayed by the news coming from Tigray.
In an interview students gave to The Ethiopian Press Agency regarding child soldiers going to a war in Tigray state, “Before my very eyes, I have seen child soldiers going to war in the Tigray region. On top of that, I managed to see a great range of child soldiers’ pictures. It is not right. According to my way of thinking, all children should be able to attend school without any hitch. International organizations should play a role in prohibiting child soldiers from fighting in a war and condemning these evil deeds.”
Another student said on the topic of the aforesaid issue, “I have seen child soldiers in various media outlets. This is unacceptable. They deserve an equal chance to attend school. Children’s rights organizations should undertake the role of preventing child soldiers from going to war.”
In his presser held on Thursday regarding the latest atrocities being committed by TPLF group, State Minister Redwan Hussien said that despite visible evidence on the TPLF’s use of child soldiers, the international community chose to overlook the matter.
“TPLF threatened to stall the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire declared by the Federal Government.”
The TPLF attacked the ENDF, who were departing Tigray respecting the humanitarian ceasefire, but no one condemned this heinous act since it could have aborted the peace process at its inception, he added.
Right from the moment that the government has declared the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire, the international media, and some corners have started belittling it and discrediting the genuine efforts of the Federal Government.
“The destructive rhetoric of some corners didn’t abate even after the declaration of the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire by the Ethiopian government.”
Some in the West, at an individual level too, have continued their personal and one-sided rhetoric in attacking the government’s handling of the situation in Tigray and the ceasefire. Some humanitarians are more active in disseminating unjustified propaganda than supporting the people who need help in the Tigray Region.
The Ethiopian Herald July 17/2021
