BY YOHANES JEMANEH
When the UN Security Council met this week to discuss the situation in Tigray, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie has expressed Ethiopia’s firm stance to peace, unfettered humanitarian access and restoration of property damaged by the terrorist TPLF.
It is important to recall that it was sustained popular protest that dislodged the terrorist group from the political sphere in 2018 assuring and a promising period of transition. Terrorist TPLF was dispelled not only from power but also from the hearts and minds of Ethiopian people due to the non-evolving and destructive ideology it seeks to preserve its power, he said.
When it lost power, the terrorist retreated to Tigray taking the people as hostage because as the saying goes for those accustomed to privilege equality feels like oppression. The Ethiopian government exercised maximum restraint until the group attacked and looted military barracks over the last nine months. The government sought to uphold the constitutional order the terrorist refused to disarm and surrender to law enforcement authorities doubling down on its destructive agenda, as to Amb. Taye.
“We call upon members of the UNSC to be cautious about facts and misinformation that has dominated the scene. There is no discrimination based on any ground including ethnicity religious or any other background. We are not people with less moral. We are people of values; we survived for centuries through social coercion.”
The unilateral humanitarian ceasefire declared in June and the subsequent withdrawal of the ENDF was supposed to bring calm to the region and its people and provide space for the terrorist leadership to reconsider its readiness course, according to Amb. Taye.
Our plan was to allow a peaceful farming season and to pave the way for the uninhibited flow and assistance for the people in need. If it went according to our plan and vision, the ceasefire would have allowed us to embark on rebuilding and reconstruction in the region and the repair and reconnection of infrastructure and economic apparatus disrupted by the junta group, he noted.
“Our farmers not only in the Tigray region but also those in adjacent Afar and Amhara regions are now unable to farm their land, exposed to the indignity of receiving aid to sustain their family.”
The government of Ethiopia is fully cognizant of its obligation to its citizens. Sensationalization and politicization of the situation does not inform the response, he underlined. We will continue to deliver on our obligation using all means and allocating all available resource in this regard. The government is committed to hastening clearance of humanitarian convoys.
We will continue to provide cash and manage it in a predictable and sustainable manner for all humanitarian agencies. Similarly, the resumption of public service requires peace and rule of law in Tigray. Ambassador Taye stressed that his government will apply any means necessary to ensure law and order regarding some of the unsubstantiated assertions.
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ambassador Dina Mufti has perceived the meeting as important platform to reflect Ethiopia’s position. Countries like China, Russia and Kenya have supported Ethiopia. Except one country, most of the representatives have reflected Ethiopia’s point of view. Even the U.S. appeared to denounce the terrorist TPLF, he said. “We appreciate those countries who show confidence to manifest our position and those who recommend the case to be resolved under the auspicious of the African Union.”
In his closing remark on the meeting, Amb. Taye also respectfully asserts his country’s sovereign integrity as an ancient independent African country on a constant strive to overcome its challenges. “Ethiopia is not a country that allows delegating the shipping of its future. But the international community has witnessed undue foreign pressure and interference. Hence, we call upon everyone concerned to work with us that we are ready to work with all well-intentioned partners,” he said.
According to Secretary General António Guterres, the unity of Ethiopia and stability of the region are at stake and important. The military confrontation in Tigray has now reached in Afar and Amhara regions. The unilateral ceasefire by the Ethiopian government through evacuating its army from Mekelle did not reach a comprehensive ceasefire. The UN and its partners are mobilizing food and other humanitarian support for more than five million people.
The Ethiopian Herald August 29/2021
