Following the attack stirred up by the terrorist Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) on the adjacent areas of the Amhara and Afar States, thousands of innocent civilians massacred unjustifiably, several women, children and elder people tortured, gang raped and millions of people displaced from their neighborhoods ; and compelled to become IDPs.
Public and private facilities looted, burnt and damaged with deliberate attack to make them nonfunctional.
Following its occupation of Kombolcha town one of the industrial hubs, the terrorist group has caused massive destruction for Kombolcha Polytechnic and Vocational Training College and mass burial was identified in compound of the college.
Even these days, the rebels, in their renewed invasions in Afar State, they are disrupting the peace and security of the State and are killing and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians, mainly children and women. Recently, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J Mohammed visited areas affected by the terrorist TPLF enterprise; and witnessed the undeniable bitter fact the insurgents committed on innocent civilians in times they had controlled the towns for a short period of time.
The Deputy Secretary-General has observed vandalized and damaged public and private facilities, witnessed mass burial committed
by fighters of the terrorist group in Afar and Amhara states; particularly in Kombolcha and South Wollo Zone of Amhara State, reported FBC.
South Wollo Zone Chief Administrator Abdu Hussein briefed the Deputy Secretary-General on the destruction and looting of the town, including Kombolcha Polytechnic and Vocational Training College and Kombolcha Industrial Park as well as the massacre of innocent people and mass graves committed by the TPLF invading forces.
The Deputy Secretary-General also discussed with authorities, women and children on various issues. Subsequent to her visit, she had held discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen.
Amina, while talking about the visit she had made in the states, she said that her recent visits have helped her to witness the cost of the conflict on human lives and private and public properties. She also underlined the need to give proper attention to rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by the conflict. She also said that her visit to the Somali region opened her eyes to the severity of the drought, which needs all-rounded support.
She also appreciated the Ethiopian government‘s commitment to engage with the United Nations while passing through difficult times. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke on his part said that the successive meetings of the UN over Ethiopia put unnecessary pressure on the government that was fighting anti-peace elements at home.
He said, despite all the external and internal pressures, the Ethiopian government managed to control the situations and relatively pacify the country, which even led to hosting the AU annual meetings in the capital Addis Ababa in person. The lifting of the State of Emergency, the proposed national dialogue, the restraints of the government from engaging in conflicts, and the unfettered access allowed to humanitarian aid in conflict-affected areas are testaments to the government’s commitment to lasting peace in the country, he said.
Despite all these efforts for peace, the terrorist TPLF has continued provoking war against the adjacent areas of Amhara and Afar states, further obstructing humanitarian support to the Tigray State.
Detailing the effects of the conflict and drought in some parts of the country, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke called on the international community to accelerate support for humanitarian aid and rehabilitation efforts.
He finally underlined Ethiopia’s commitment to engage with relevant international bodies to highlight the reality on the ground in Ethiopia.
The UN Deputy Secretary also visited Somali region, which is affected by drought; and survivors who are currently receiving treatment in Dubti Hospital, Afar State.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
The Ethiopian Herald 12 February 2022
