Terrorist supporters use “Famine”, “genocide” for political ends: Hermela

BY MULATU BELACHEW

ADDIS ABABA – “In November when the war started in Tigray, it captured and catches the mind of many of us and also the communication blackout put many of us into threat. Following that a hashtag of ‘TigrayGenocide’ also begun by Tigrayan activists. It is an [inconceivable] yet legally binding term which puts so many people in fears including me,” said an Ethiopian-American popular Tigrayan CBS journalist Hermela Aregawi.

At a panel organized by Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora, she stated that in last 11 months the activities look like weaponing the term to make sure the people cannot ask questions about what is going on which is really an unfortunate.

The same people that are using that hashtag do not seem to be concerned about humanitarian aid being used redirected in to war.

She said she has been in meeting where the same people who have been using the hashtag were deterring people from contributing to organizations that had been trying to send basic necessities to Tigray during the time the federal government was in control of Mekelle.

“It seemed and that it was a political strategy. So that the government wouldn’t look good and things not get better quickly.”

Accordingly, in that direction, organizations were not being held accountable as to the money raised on behalf of the people. “The answer is always that is a secret and none of our business.”

 So during the blackout of the first couple of months, there were reports “of civilian atrocities committed by the Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers that leaked out by media outlets like CNN and New York Times”, she said, adding that as a journalist she found it a little bit peculiar and suspicious and did not retweet it because all the regional source she sought were Tigrayan activists and organization like Tigray Media House which is publically known to be an entity that supports the political forces in Tigray.

The report is concerning but all the time it was appearing on one sides, she said. They never reported any atrocities may be committed by [terrorist TPLF forces].

Another seed of doubt she find was that after the government’s withdrew, there were reports that said the Ethiopian government was blocking aid, and famine had been occurring but the pictures and videos that she saw was contradicting one another.

“My main concern today is the issue of Hermela. She might be fired or something I thought that it is ridiculous. Your voice need to be heard. Over time I still keep in touch with members. We still have taken your message and that message needs a mega phone because that let a truth to be heard and decide everything like that. I just don’t want your voice not to be heard and not to diminish what you are doing,” said Mike Honda, Former congressman for 17th District of Silicon Valley.

The Ethiopian Herald October 13/2021

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