BY YOHANES JEMANEH
As odd as it may sound, the Terrorist TPLF clique is giving a cold shoulder to the peaceful settlement of the conflict that it recklessly yet cruelly instigated. Despite the belligerent acts of the outlawed group, the federal government of Ethiopia is doing its level best to mend rifts and find peaceful resolution by facilitating the initiative for peace talks.
It is to be recalled that the government has been throwing its full weight to restore normalcy in the war-torn areas including Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions. Accordingly, it has been working round the clock to allow unhindered humanitarian assistance and restore public infrastructures in these areas.
In connection with this, some 29,942 MT food items, 31,940 MT non-food items and 66, 8567 liters of fuel, 23.63 MT of medicine, 2,096 MT of fertilizer, and 300 Million Birr fund have reached Tigray between July 20 and August 9, 2022.
Fulfilling all these conditions, the government has done what it has been expected to do so and still expressing commitment to strengthening humanitarian support and restoration of facilities. For quite a while, the collusion of the disgruntled TPLF group and foreign adversaries has tarnished the efforts of the Ethiopian government through a tsunami of information warfare. The misinformation campaign triggered unwarranted pressure against Ethiopia, the international community is coming to terms with the truth slowly though.
The government has been briefing the diplomatic communities about its peace initiatives and the situation in Tigray state in particular and the country in general.
Recently, Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen briefed ambassadors and the diplomatic community-based in Addis Ababa about the peace process that the Ethiopian government has been pursuing so far by the Main Peace Committee which was established as mentioned above, to advance the initiative of the Government to peacefully resolve the conflict in the northern part of the country.
The Main Peace Committee established to advance the initiative of the Government to peacefully resolve the conflict in the northern part of the country has extensively discussed its progress to date, the current situation in the northern part of the country, and other related issues. It is to be recalled that the Government has made several attempts to peacefully resolve the conflict. For instance, the Government has declared a unilateral humanitarian truce, lifted the state of emergency, halted the advance of its troops to Mekelle, released detainees suspected of being affiliated with the TPLF, and undertaken other confidence-building measures as well. It is also known that on top of these measures, the government is endeavoring and making a serious effort to ensure enduring peace.
In connection with this, the government has expressed its readiness to engage in peace talks without precondition, at any venue and at any time. The Committee, in its discussion, has emphasized the imperative of alleviating the suffering of citizens in the conflict-affected parts of the Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regional states.
Towards that end and in order to ensure a sustained provision of humanitarian aid as well as to facilitate the resumption of basic services and also to resolve the conflict peacefully; the Committee has underscored that there is a need to conclude a ceasefire agreement as soon as possible. To expedite this process, the Committee has deliberated upon and adopted a peace proposal that would lead to the conclusion of a ceasefire and lay the foundation for future political dialogue. The Committee has decided that the proposal should be communicated to the African Union High Representative as soon as possible.
Furthermore, in accordance with the decision of the Committee to provide the international community a briefing, it would be possible to conclude a ceasefire agreement as soon as possible with the help of entities that could support the mediation effort of the African Union, such briefing has been provided.
The Committee has noted that all necessary preparations are being undertaken to facilitate an expedited resumption of basic services within the enabling environment that would be created once a ceasefire is concluded. It also expressed that all effort is being exerted in collaboration with the African Union so that it would be possible to determine the venue and time for talks and begin peace talks quickly and conclude a ceasefire agreement shortly.
The Main Peace Committee has urged the appropriate subcommittees and taken note that the federal government already instructed service-providing institutions to carry out the necessary activities for the implementation of these decisions. The Committee has commended the support that Ethiopians have shown to the peace effort and calls on the public at large to strengthen and continue this support. The Committee has also called upon the international community to stand with the African Union and play a constructive role in the success of the peace effort.
The Peace Committee has unveiled a peace proposal that has three directions. Firstly, it proposes for peace talks to happen within the coming weeks towards an agreed ceasefire. Secondly, it put forward to undertake an in-depth political dialogue between leading toward a lasting settlement, and thirdly, the proposal stipulates other unresolved issues to be addressed through the upcoming National Dialogue. This proposal by the peace committee of the Federal Government is another demonstration of the Government’s continued commitment to peace and a peaceful resolution of the conflict. And it is believed to put perspectives that the people of Tigray and affected communities in the Afar and Amhara region as a result of the devastations need respite.
The proposal also establishes that talks must be without pre-conditions because Ethiopians in the Tigray region need not continue being prisoners of TPLF’s own political interests. The Council forwarded the proposal in cognizant of TPLF’s continued forced conscription of youth in the Tigray region.
In spite of all this, the posture of the government remains that of peaceful engagement, the Council stated. This agenda for peace has been at the forefront by the government before the war broke out, during the war, and the calls for a peaceful resolution continue to be made to this moment despite there being not a shred of interest for peace by TPLF.
Despite this, there are still those for whom the image of TPLF as an underdog is compelling and who continue to propagate this misleading narrative. The issue of restoration of services comes up again and again as if there is an on and off switch centrally located. This is an erroneous and dangerous view of the service that is disrupted due to conflict and related damage is administered.
The government has made it clear on several occasions that the security and administrative arrangements need to be cleared and put in place to facilitate technical repair work on the ground in Tigray region to restore services. Hence an operable and enabling environment is essential for such technical work to be undertaken on the ground. And at the moment with a vocally belligerent and illegally armed group operating at its own whim and refusing to accept peace talks the required enabling and secure environment is lacking.
If TPLF genuinely cares for the well-being of Ethiopians in the Tigray Region, then they should be publicly asked by various international community actors to accept the peace agenda and sit for talks instead of looking for excuses to avoid peace. The Government of Ethiopia affirms its readiness at any time and at any place suggested to engage in peace talks under the auspices of the AU-led process, according to Prime Minister Office Press Secretary Billene Seyoum said.
In addition to its relentless effort to resolve the Tigray crisis through peace talks and restoration activities, the Federal Government is also working on enforcing laws in various parts of the country to secure the well-being of citizens and their right to public services. Consequently, multifaceted efforts are being exerted by the security sector to address outstanding issues as a key priority.
As it pertains to terrorist activities in the Oromia region, through the concerted efforts of three command posts and joint deployments of Federal and Regional security forces, key progress is reported to have been made in apprehending members of terrorist cells, Billene said.
Similar security operations are also being conducted in Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples (SNNPs), and Somali and Afar regions. In the Amhara region, rule of law measures taken against irregular forces has brought a peaceful environment. Similarly, the evaluation of the National Security Council of its peace and security efforts in the Benishangul region, SNNPs region, Somali and Afar regions as well as the capital city indicates progress in apprehending criminals, curbing criminal activities, and cleaning the structures of the security sector.
Moreover, the National Security Council has set forth a direction to continue its operations. Accordingly, the forwarded direction is aimed at diminishing the capabilities of the terrorists and irregular forces to a level where they are not a threat. It set forth to conduct activities that ensure a lasting peace by mediating across various groups and involving youth in peace activities.
It also set an ambition to strengthen the judicial bodies and enable them to perform what is required for national peace and security. Similarly, it initiates to take decisive action against economic exploitation, corruption, smuggling, illegal money transfer, and other forms of economic sabotage. Improving the leadership skills at every level and establishing accountability, creating qualified, active and ready leadership at every level is another directive set by the Council.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 23 AUGUST 2022
