BY ADDISALEM MULAT
Recent developments in Tigray have laid bare terrorist TPLF junta’s atrocitie and shed light on the conspiracies of some humanitarian agencies and western countries behind their crocodile tear over the humanitarian situation in the state. This is somehow attributable to the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire declared by the federal government and the brutal activities of terrorist TPLF that followed the ceasefire.
Some international media outlets and humanitarian agencies with sinter agendas have been pointing finger at the federal government for every problem unfolded in Tigray state. The little do agencies rather than contributing their share have been fueling the flame by making false allegations and pouring cold water on the efforts of the government that has been covering 70 percent of aid delivery in the state.
A far cry from the reality on the ground, some international media outlets have been disseminating fabricated stories working in close collusion with the terrorist TPLF Junta clique and bewildering the international community.
Despite the fact that the government of Ethiopia covered 70% of humanitarian assistance in the Tigray region during the law enforcement oppression, they have been constantly taking no notice of getting themselves involved in a smear campaign against Ethiopia. They detest giving credit where credit is due and making every effort to disseminate the truth.
During the law enforcement oppression, some organizations have been time after time asking the federal government to evacuate the Tigray State for providing humanitarian assistance by the book.
However, when the government of Ethiopia declared the unilateral ceasefire in the state as per of granting unfettered humanitarian access to the state, the same media and humanitarian organizations did not utter a word of praise. Despondently, they set in motion reporting as if the Ethiopian government lost control of the Tigray state. The organizations also recklessly continue blaming the government.
Sad as it may sound when the Ethiopian National Defense Forces evacuated the Tigray Region, the terrorist TPLF Junta that has been accusing of the federal government of disrupting aid could not provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Tigray. But, the organizations that have been well known making laud noises on alleged aid disruption have chosen to remain silence awkwardly.
In a previous interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Abera Wendosen, Communication Affairs Director at Ethiopian Mass Media Authority said regarding the evil acts of some international media outlets, “It seems that some western media outlets would like to achieve some targets. They have their own agenda without a shred of a doubt. They have been making an effort to destroy the good image of the country in various ways.
“Western media have risked their reputation by collaborating with propaganda warfare of terrorist group TPLF. Aside from trying to build their false narrative, their reports are intensified with unbalanced and fabricated lies; they have been backing the rebels group roaming in Tigray.
He stressed that there are sponsored groups by some members of the diaspora and rival nations such as Egypt, Sudan, and others. I would venture to say, some international media outlets have been serving the interest of Egypt, Sudan, and others by bewildering and changing the international community’s positive attitude about Ethiopia.
“Our evaluation of the international media reporting in the past eight months is that their stories have been merely full of false narratives and empty propaganda,” he added.
“There are also groups who have been endeavoring intending to destabilize the nation. If truth be told, this has affected Ethiopia’s image and diplomacy at large. Ethiopia should do more in providing information quickly and adequately to foreign media. Likewise, foreign media outlets should be abided by journalistic principles and thereby maintain integrity among the local audience. Despondently, some international media outlets have been currently overriding fundamental principles of journalism.” he concluded.
Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia in a meeting he had with Annette Weber, European Union special representative for the Horn of Africa said, “The Government declared the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire in Tigray to closely work with the international community for better humanitarian access and strengthen the effort to rehabilitate and rebuild the Tigray region,” according to information obtained from MoFA.
On the word of the Deputy Prime Minister, the terrorist TPLF has been spoiling the spirits of the ceasefire by engaging in various military attacks exploiting the public as human shields, obstructing humanitarian support, and employing children as soldiers.
“The Federal Government is committed to taking the necessary action against whoever hinders the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire. He also expressed his disappointment over the European Union for spearheading a premature and politically motivated Resolution on the situation of human rights in the Tigray Region, overlooking the Ethiopian Government agreement on the deployment of a joint investigation team comprising the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Higher Commission for Human Rights,” he wrapped up.
In the present climate, it is no secret that the terrorist TPLF Junta has been turning the lives of the people of Tigray into a living hell time and time again. The state has already become dangerous zone for children as they are forced to join fighting by the terrorist TPLF.
According to information obtained from the Ministry Foreign Affairs, Getachew Reda has ordered terrorist TPLF operatives in the region to ensure that no household gets humanitarian assistance unless they send their children to fight.
Office of the Prime Minister regarding the Tigray Region Humanitarian Assistance updates stated lately that following the Government of Ethiopia’s enactment of a unilateral humanitarian ceasefire in the Tigray state to enable farmers to undertake the seasonal farming activities and facilitate humanitarian assistance, we are witnessing the impediment by terrorist TPLF remnants of assistance delivery to those in dire need.
Prior to the June 29 2021 enactment of a humanitarian ceasefire and related withdrawal of the Ethiopian National Defence Force from Mekelle and other cities in the region, the National Emergency Coordination Committee, which in three rounds had been provided humanitarian assistance for the past months, had also placed in storage more than 400,000 quintals of wheat and 2.5 million liters of cooking oil for distribution to those in need. In addition, close to 14million liters of fuel have been left in fuel depots within the region for utilization by citizens prior to the withdrawal of the ENDIF.
It is to be noted that unfettered humanitarian access has been provided for partners and international aid organizations to avail the required assistance. The Government of Ethiopia remains steadfast in its commitment to support the safe delivery of critical supplies to its people in the Tigray region, without endangering national security.
Full permission for humanitarian flights to fly to the Tigray Region have been facilitated, on the condition that they depart from Addis Ababa and land in Addis Ababa on the return flight. The condition to pass through Addis Ababa is In keeping with the Constitutional duty of the Government to preserve national security – a sacrosanct duty it is obliged to honor. Two flights by the World Food Program (WFP) have already been made in the past week.
The Government of Ethiopia is also facilitating humanitarian convoys through the Afar region and is working to fast-track security checks on the trucks to avoid delays. Relatedly, we once again condemn the attack by terrorist TPLF on an aid convoy on 18 July 2021, along the Semera-Abala road. The obstruction of humanitarian assistance to those in need within the region by the terrorist group TPLF for political gains is an act that should also be condemned by the international community. terrorist TPLF’s continued provocations directed at the Ethiopian National Defense Force, through the use of child soldiers and armed civilians, attempting to draw our forces into an altercation, need to also be strongly condemned by the international community.
The Government of Ethiopia has been working tirelessly in collaboration with development partners to ensure continued supplies of food and medicine to those that are in desperate need of it. It will continue to work with its humanitarian partners to prevent breaks in humanitarian operations and for assistance to reach all affected community.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JULY 28/2021
