Since the onset of the law enforcement operation that brought the terrorist TPLF group to its knee, the inappropriately famed international media and the Western world have been openly taking a side. The international community has also been tricked into pressuring the Ethiopian government by the stooges of the terrorist group, paid activists, and the now low-rated media outlets.
The so-called international media outlets and their paymasters have been waging information warfare against Ethiopia. Notwithstanding the fact that the terrorist TPLF group perpetrated atrocities and ransacked possessions of civilians residing in Amhara and Afar states, paradoxically the international community continues putting pressure on the federal government.
With a view to twisting Ethiopia’s arm, the United States and European Union have been putting unprecedented pressure on Ethiopia. In the present climate, Ethiopia has been battling with coordinated foreign pressure and averting the whole thing going on behind closed doors with flying colors.
As always, the West is leaving no stone unturned to put the terrorist group into power and whitewash the atrocities, ransacking, gang rape, and other criminal acts. Albeit the U.S. and the West know the terrorist TPLF group atrocities and brutality like the palm of their hands, they have been taking sides with the group turning a blind eye to the unvarnished truth on the grounds that it serves their hidden interest.
Recently, an American economist David Steinman issued an open letter to the U.S. Special Envoy Jeffrey Feltman condemning the U.S. policy on Ethiopia. He said that America should stand confidently with Ethiopia’s government in return for fresh concessions on humanitarian access, human rights, and other issues. Treating Ethiopia’s popular government and the forces trying to restore the TPLF dictatorship as morally equivalent expands the war. This is a fight for African freedom.
He went on to note that it is time to listen to Ethiopia’s people instead and inject more creativity and agility into the diplomatic process. The smarter policy can still help turn this war into an opportunity for long-term peace. He urged Jeffrey to give thought to a new policy that takes these facts into account and better aligns western and Ethiopian interests.
Mistrust and bitterness lead Ethiopians to find dark significance in western diplomats’ word choices. The term “western Tigray” sounds too many like the adoption of a TPLF-authored interpretation of history and approval of an illegal annexation by a criminal regime at gunpoint.
The U.S. rhetoric frames the discussion of Ethiopian international crimes as if they began with the fighting in 2020. This failure to give adequate weight to the long history of TPLF atrocities, including genocide, and to recognize that the TPLF’s ostensible, regionally “stabilizing” former role was just the opposite, also make Ethiopians see America as strangely blind to the real issues at stake.
As to him, Western diplomats and policymakers also don’t seem to realize the extent to which Ethiopians blame them for today’s state of affairs. As most Ethiopians see it, after helping make the Frankenstein monster at their gates, now the West wants them to treat it as a partner for peace and give it a chance to continue tearing their country apart and murdering them.
America’s policy is reminiscent of European colonialists of earlier times who thought they could make Africans understand them by shouting louder.
Despondently, the West brings the so-called international media outlets into play with a view to creating instability on a national scale and creating distrust among the people and government. As far as this, they have been moving heaven and earth to fuel the conflict and mystify the international community.
Last week, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in his social media accounts that overcoming a turbulent period is a mark of national resilience. While we are being tested on many fronts, our collective will to realize the path we have embarked upon has strengthened us. Despite all attempts to hold us back, let’s continue moving forward in unity with Ethiopia.
In an interview with the Ethiopian Press Agency, ex-TPLF founder Engineer Gidey Zeratsion said that westerners could never secure their interest by putting pressure on Ethiopia and Ethiopians. On top of that Westerners including the U.S. policymakers though seemed they know everything; they have limited awareness about the reality on the ground and are not well aware of the consequence their interferences bring about in their own interest.
Most of their efforts could not accede with the strategies they devised and yield the desired outcomes. We have witnessed this fiasco repeatedly. The failures it encountered in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and other countries are the best showcases in this regard. In the same manner, if they jump on the bandwagon of the terrorist TPLF thinking its strategy is viable, it would be a ludicrous failure.
TPLF is a faction that dreams to extend its power through incensing chaos. If the Horn is disrupted, it would have a devastating effect.
They have also witnessed this bitter truth while Somalia was in conflict. The U.S. also failed to handle the situation caused when Somali was dismantled.” All in all, if East Africa enters into such conflict, the impact would be devastating.
Ethiopia has a greater role with regard to sustaining the peace and security of the region and strengthening people-to-people unity. And the only way that they can gain their interest is through that.
A number of people have been raising this idea and discussions have been carried out though whether the ones in the politics would accept or ignore the result, is another issue.
“U.S. has been putting pressure on Ethiopia. We hope that people who have a better understanding of the situation would come to the front to solve the situation. But we, Ethiopians should focus on what we can do about the problem. In doing so, standing as one, keeping our freedom and dignity should be our priority.”
The U.S. and some western countries including some international media outlets, humanitarian agencies, diplomatic institutions have already launched coordinated smear campaigns against Ethiopia, said Surafel Getahun, Researcher and Lecturer of Political Science and International Relations at Dire Dawa University.
“Some western countries are now highly engaging in coordinating hybrid war on Ethiopia. These countries have rich experience in destroying Libya, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and others.”
He said regarding the full-fledged hybrid warfare in Ethiopia, could harm our economy, peace, and security. But, Ethiopians will thwart the looming threats as they have again and again renewed commitments to uphold the country’s sovereignty at any cost.
The international community has been falsely accusing the Ethiopian government of genocide in the Tigray State. However, the recent joint report of UN Human Rights and Ethiopian Human Rights Commission on Tigray revealed the claim of genocide by the Ethiopian government as a false allegation with no merit and substantial evidence.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD NOVEMBEBER 16/2021
