BY ADDISALEM MULAT
A year on since the terrorist TPLF group brutally attacked the northern command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces situated in the Tigray region for more than two decades. The premeditated and treasonous act caused an imaginable human suffering and material damage. Above all, the heinous crime had put the unity and sovereignty of the country at risk.
The day, November 3, 2020, was commemorated on a national scale giving prominence to the fallen heroes and heroines of the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces. Needless to say, the terrorist group pulled out all the stops to clinch to power despite all its effort went for nothing through the concerted efforts of the people of Ethiopia.
In bygone days, the
terrorist TPLF group on its watch had been turning the lives of Ethiopians into
a living hell and unrelentingly violating human rights. Aside from enriching
its plutocracy and accomplices, the whole thing was getting off track time
after time. As the general public was under the yoke of the tyrant’s rule and
the yoke of oppression, the country was moving into uncharted territory.
Subsequently, nationwide public disobedience had removed the corrupt clique from power downgrading the group to Tigray state where they have been orchestrating crimes here and there.
As the terrorist officials were toppled from power through the synchronized undertakings of all Nations and Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia, they have been moving heaven and earth to come into power bringing all possible means into play.
Though the government of Ethiopia left no stone unturned to get to the bottom of the problem in an orderly fashion, the terrorist TPLF officials ended up attacking the Ethiopian Defense Forces. Later, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces embarked on taking a law enforcement operation on the heels of the attack to restore legitimate administration, put law and order into effect, bring fugitives to justice, and neutralize threats posed against the country’s unity. The law enforcement operation brought most of the orchestrators of the attack before justice and killed the most wanted old guards of the clique.
Later, the Ethiopian government declared a humanitarian unilateral ceasefire to give a moment of silence to the people of Tigray and allow agricultural activities during the rainy season.
As things stand at the moment, the terrorist TPLF group has continued perpetrating massacres with impunity in the Amhara and Afar states. In addition to killing thousands of innocent inhabitants, the terrorist group managed to displace millions of communities escorted by life-threatening looting and property obliterations.
In the present climate, the terrorist TPLF group has been perplexing the international community making use of fabricated stories that do not reflect the ongoing reality on the ground.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on his Facebook page on the subject of the day said, “Ethiopia is a country of heroes surrounded by prudent children. Even if we fail to recall the past, we will never fail to recall the story of our heroes that were attacked last year. We are standing in the present day on the bones of our heroes who for the love of us gave their all unreservedly.”
He went on to note that the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces were not organized merely from one state but they were drawn from all Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples of Ethiopia such as Amhara, Oromo, Sidama and Wolayita, Afar and Gambella, Gurage, and Hadiya to protect their motherland. In a similar vein, the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces lived for twenty years keeping the border isolated from their homes and villages where they grew up.
They as well managed to partake in the course of the harvesting season, play a part in social activities, and protect people from enemies and things of that sort. However, through the passage of time, in return for their good deeds, the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces received a betrayal from the terrorist TPLF group, he added.
“The premier stressed that previously Ethiopia’s enemies who came to invade the country did not set in motion attacking our war bases like the terrorist group. They as well did not partake in massacring senior officers and looting heavy weapons. For the sake of truth, although there is no holiness of war, the terrorist group’s cruelty has no limit. No one is as hard on Ethiopia as the terrorist group,”
He went on saying that within three weeks, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces almost immediately regrouped and disbanded the terrorist group and brought most of the group’s top leaders to court. During the war, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces fought bravely and sacrificed themselves for their motherland and demonstrated their amalgamation with the nation and the people, not in words but deeds,” he noted.
Instead of taking advantage of the unilateral ceasefire declared by the government, the terrorist group considered it as a victory and has continued inflicting violence in the Amhara and Afar states.
The threat posed by our enemies cannot be naturalized unless we work together. Besides, the alliance of our enemies is not propaganda. They have taken up arms to destroy the country but not to build the nation.
The terrorist group will be remembered for its treasonous act. Quite the opposite, the history of the members of the Northern Command that sacrificed their lives malevolently and others who have been falling for their motherland will be inscribed in gold ink.
In her message to the residents of Addis Ababa on the commemoration of the attack, Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie said, “It is time for all of us to stand together and persevere to overcome the challenges we face as a nation on the grounds that the key to success is in our hands. On top of that, we are expected to make Ethiopia victorious by working by the sweat of our brow. We can make this happen when women and community leaders as well as the entire population of the city turn the spotlight on peace and make sure that we are the police and peace guards of our neighborhood, keeping ourselves safe from rumors.”
She called on the people of Ethiopia to show their resilience abiding by the government’s directives and proclamations to ensure the safety of the people.
If we are abode by the rules and live together, we will be able to overcome the current crisis and ensure peace in the city. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, apart from winning the war, Ethiopia’s unity will be strengthened and the terrorist TPLF group will be buried,” she wrapped up.
The Ethiopian Herald November 6/2021
