BY STAFF REPORTER
The denial of humanitarian assistance to civilians trapped or displaced by conflict has always been a reality that is increasingly being used as a tactic of war. Examples abound of children trapped in besieged areas, or deprived of access to food, water and medical assistance. This is the worst grave violation of humanity.
Since the Government of Ethiopia declared humanitarian truce, the Tigray militants are preparing yet for another round of attack and expressing clueless points to withdraw from the Afar and Amhara districts where they are being held hostage to open humanitarian corridor.
A number of international institutions and governments had welcomed the governments declaration of humanitarian truce and are showing interest to support the success, but the terrorist group is doing all it can downplaying the effort, in various directions.
As TPLF is keeping on destructions as a tactic of war in Amhara and Afar, it is committing violation of international humanitarian law, as well as human rights violations and abuses. These are war crimes but they are still being perpetrated by TPLF forces within the civilians. Civilians are being killed and forcibly displaced by militants of the group.
The security situation in adjacent areas remained fragile and the humanitarian situation continued to be of serious concern. The agreements on the cessation of hostilities focus on realizing the protection of civilians and humanitarian access because it is vital to all and especially to the victims of the conflicts. The effort is commendable but more efforts should be put in place by all the relevant stakeholders to realize it.
We are hearing reports on daily basis that TPLF is keeping on violating the truce despite issuing statement to comply with it. The violation had hindered the process for ending the conflict, supply of humanitarian aid. Once again the international community should put pressure on TPLF to walk its talk.
It is to be recalled that a number governments and the international community had expressed their good will and to support the truce effort. Following the truce put in place, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, also noted “Guterres hopes that this truce will translate into an effective cessation of hostilities, respected by all parties in this conflict, to allow for effective humanitarian access for all who need it” Though the government kept on exerting efforts to further expand access to humanitarian assistance, allowing the World Food Program (WFP) to transport 43 trucks of food aid to people in need in Tigray region via Abala Road.
The 43-truck food aid authorized to the World Food Program (WFP) had not been transported to Tigray region due to the closure of Abala Road by TPLF militants.
In my view TPLF should know it could not fool anyone anymore. Time is over! At this juncture the international community should break the silence and should put pressure on the Tigray militants to withdraw from the Afar and Amhara districts, where they are being held hostage, and to comply with their commitments to ceasefire. At the same time to let open corridor to expand access to humanitarian access to the needy soon.
If TPLF could not live up to their words it should be clear that it would be accountable for all crises that are going to happen in Tigray. The international community should join hands to support the effort for productive outcome. It is high time to save the life of the people of Tigray.
The TPLF group is using humanitarian aid as a weapon of war by denying humanitarian aid access to the Tigray people. The denial of humanitarian access during conflict is one of the six grave violations identified and condemned by the UN Security Council.
It is high time for ending and preventing these violations by all parties and the focus of the international community should gear efforts in exposing the facts on the ground to put pressure, as they are following news development and incidents in Ukraine.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
The Ethiopian Herald April 2/2022
