ADDIS ABABA – Despite a number of success stories that had flickered hope for Ethiopians and the people across the Horn of Africa, the last Ethiopian year was full of external and internal challenges. Many, therefore, agreed that having passed through various manmade and natural hardships, Ethiopia have successfully managed to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. So, here are some of the significant events in 2013 E.C.
1. In the late hours of Tikemt 23, 2013/ in the early hours of November 4, 2020, the terrorist Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked the Ethiopian National Defense Forces Base located in Tigray region and attempted to rob the northern command of artillery and military equipment. The Northern command has been stationed in the Tigray State for more than two decades in service and protection of the people of Tigray from any threats.
2. The Mai-Kadra massacre was a series of ethnic cleansing and mass murders carried by youths known as ‘Samri’, aided by the then-local administration, went door to door killing those they identified as from Amhara and Wolkait ethnic groups on Tikemt 30-Hidar 1 2013 / 9–10 November 2020 in the town of Mai Kadra in the northwestern Ethiopia, near the Sudanese border.
3. The Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) Junta’s ringleader and the one who used to devise and coordinate a strategy to destabilize Ethiopia for the last 27 years,Sibhat Nega was arrested on Tahisas 30, 2013/ January 8, 2021.
4. Junta’s top leaders including Tigray State former president Abay Woldu who had been hunted down by the joint operation of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Federal Police and National Intelligence and Security forces arrived in Addis Ababa on Tir 3, 2013/January 11, 2021. Other members who are brought to Addis are: Abraham Tekeste (Ph.D.), State’s former deputy chief administrator; Redai Berhe (Ph.D.), Audit Office Head; Mulugeta Yirga (Ph.D.), former head of state’s statistics agency; Okubay Berhe, former Head of Religious Affairs; Getachew Teferi, former chief administrator’s office, peace and security head and Kiros Hagos, former state’s social affairs head as well as Nigatu Angessom and AmdemariamTessema, the Ethiopian Press Agency learnt.
5. Core Junta’s leaders who orchestrated the callous attack on the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) were destroyed along with their guards, Defense Force Deployment Department Head Brig. Gen. Tesfaye Ayalew told the press on Tir 5, 2013/ January 13, 2021.Seyoum Mesfin former Ethiopian Foreign Minister who also ordered the attack on the Northern Command; Asmelash Gebreselassie, Junta’s senior political leader and Abay Tsehaye, Junta’s senior political leader were killed during the operation the ENDF carried out.
6. The House of Peoples’ Representatives on Miazia 28, 2013/May 6, 2021 approved a resolution of the Council of Ministers submitted proposing Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and “Shene” to be designated as terrorist groups.
7. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announced the peaceful conclusion of the 6th National Elections that saw unprecedented voters’ turnout on Sene 14, 2013/June 21, 2021.
8. The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announced the results of the 6th General elections in the presence of President Sahlework Zewde on Hamle 3, 2013/July 10, 2021.
9. The second-round water impounding of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) reservoir completed on Hamle 12, 2021/July 19, 2021.
10. On Nehase 4, 2013/ August 10, 2021, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) issued a call on for all eligible civilians to join the armed forces as fighting raged in some parts of Africa’s second most populous nation.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald 11 September 2021
