By Amanuel Biedemariam

Late Monday on January 16, 2012, Ethiopia reported two Germans, two Hungarians and an Austrian were killed in a deadly attack in Ethiopia’s North-Eastern Afar region. During the attacks, a Hungarian and Italian were wounded while two Germans had been kidnapped. The unsuspecting tourists were attacked, wounded, captured and killed inside Ethiopia. This incident was unfortunate for those who lost their lives, those that suffered through it and, for their families. This incident was also devastating for the tourism industry of Ethiopia and those who depend on it for their livelihood.

Regardless of how the genocidal regime of Meles Zenawi tries to characterize the incident or who it claims has perpetrated the killings, there remains one fact it cannot deny. The incident took place inside the borders of Ethiopia. And it happened while under the protection of Ethiopian authorities.

On the 19^th of January, The Voice of America (VOA) aired an interview with Information Minister of Ethiopia Bereket Simon, and in it, the Minister openly admitted that Ethiopia does not and cannot control its borders. Ethiopia is a country under fire in every direction due to the reckless adventures of the minority regime inside Ethiopia and the region. In Ethiopia, rebellion is flourishing throughout the entire country. There exists the Oromo Liberation Front, The Oganden liberation Front in Eastern Ethiopia, AEDUF in the Afar region, there is the EPPF in the central region, the Benishangul in the West and the Tigray movement TPDM etc…operate inside Ethiopia for different reasons. Some are fighting for self-determination and the others for greater freedoms from the oppressive minority regime. 

This is how The Christian Science Monitor characterized Ethiopia’s claims. “This week, even before Ethiopian officials knew how many people had died, or even when the fatal shooting of five European tourists in its remote northeastern region of Afar had taken place, they were sure of one crucial detail: It was Eritrea’s fault.” 

It is convenient for Ethiopian authorities to claim Eritrea did it for many reasons. It is easier. It deflects attention away from Ethiopia’s ever-exploding internal civil struggles. It is within the strategic objective of trying to label Eritrea, as a country that sponsors all the anti-regime activities as terrorist activity and within that context, all the rebellion in Ethiopia is considered terrorism and, the rebels’ terrorists. 

But here is the problem with that assumption and claim. If Eritrea is capable to develop all that activity inside Ethiopia, what that means is Meles’s regime has effectively lost control of Ethiopia. The authorities in Ethiopia have lost control of the entire country. 

The various movements in Ethiopia have been there for decades fighting for their rights. The OLF was there before the regime came to power; the Ogaden has been mired in conflicts for decades, and so have the Afars. These groups are fighting for denied rights by Ethiopia. They are not terrorist organizations. In fact, in contradiction to Meles’ claim that these groups are terrorist the US never labeled the OLF or others as terrorists. In fact, they have offices in the US. Meles and his cronies know this fact.   

In this case, the blanket claim by the regime that Eritrea is at fault in order to cover up its internal problems backfired in many major ways. First off, the regime looked defeated by playing a victim. Secondly, it lost any credibility that it may have had internally and globally because, the truth came-out swiftly and contradicted their fabrications making them look pettier. Thirdly, it gave AEDUF, the rebel group, international exposure they never had and, advertised Ethiopia’s internal conflicts to the world. Fourthly, and most importantly, the minority clique gave the world unadulterated evidence that the regime has lost its legitimacy. The genocidal regime, in order to score a political point against Eritrea threw all discovery mechanisms-out and actually got in the way of the evidence-discovery process thus denied the world access to truth.  As The Christian Science Monitor reported, “They were sure of one crucial detail: It was Eritrea’s fault” before any meaningful information was extracted.

This is clear evidence that the regime is not about finding-out truth to protect the Ethiopian people and the tourists. The regime was not concerned about the tourism industry of Ethiopia. This is a major PR disaster for the tourism industry of Ethiopia. By infusing Eritrea in the killing, the illegitimate regime magnified the level of negative attention into all tourism related activities of Ethiopia. This was in effect advertising that announced; come and tour Ethiopia and you might earn the chance to be killed, wounded and captured. Just imagine, can anyone dare take the volcanic tour in the Afar region after this?  The answer is NO. That means the people in the Afar region will suffer because an industry or a means of income was taken away from them. This is not a sign of a caring government. 

The rebels quickly gave their condolences to the families, facilitated the release of those captured and, claimed those that died were killed by Ethiopian authorities. This put the minority regime in a spot and forced it into a defensive position. 

Here is the reality, prior to his fall, the Mengistu regime was losing large swath of territories, to then rebels, the current regime, in the same manner the minority regime is losing now. This incident provided a great opportunity for the world to see that Ethiopia is burning from within with fire that is ready to consume the entire nation fast. Through the hasty announcements, the regime inadvertently advertised to the world that it doesn’t control the Afar region. This is also true throughout the entire country. 

Every action the government takes now is strictly designed to elongate its life. In the West, the regime uprooted over 70,000 Gambellans from their villages destroying their way of life. The illegitimate genocidal regime has done this in every territory in Ethiopia. The genocides in Gambella and Ogaden are recorded in detail with evidences by major humanitarian organizations.  

Ethiopia has seen consistent growth in its tourism industry for decades. This will definitely damage it. The minority regime has managed to stay in power by oppressing the various nationalities that it wants to label terrorist now. All these people are doing is demand their rights.  However, instead of resolving the internal issues peacefully the regime resorted to force. In time, the rebellion has gathered enough momentum and it is ready to engulf the nation. The minority regime, fully aware it can no longer contain it, is trying desperate approaches such as labeling the entire nation terrorist. Individuals that oppose the regime are labeled terrorist and tried. The Diaspora is not spared because the regime makes it a point to sentence them in absentia.

This is a regime on the brink. Certainly, tourism needs peace to flourish and in Ethiopia, peace is dissipating like water in the desert sand. The regime’s acceptance by Ethiopians and people in the region is almost nonexistent. People are anticipating when and how the big shoe will drop. In this climate it is very difficult to commit to any investment in Ethiopia and certainly those that have money are sending their hard currency abroad because they are not certain of the future. This is the reason why it is easy to predict the fall of the minority regime eminent. That is why the former Ambassador Herman Cohen said that the hegemonic minority rule of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is difficult to sustain, as Ethiopians are demanding freedom and democracy.

Conclusion

It is ironic a terrorist regime is trying to label Eritreans, the Somalis and the entire Ethiopian population terrorists with fabricated trumped charges. By doing so the regime is asking the international community for a mandate to rule with iron fist as a king maker of the region. This is also clear evidence that this futile ambition has put the regime at odds with all the people in the region. One thing the regime has done clearly is that it is challenging the publics of the region with blood in every turn. Hence, it is crucial for the people of Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea to come together and rid of the vermin finally. And I am certain this will happen soon because the people of the region are saying enough to the genocidal, illegitimate regime of Meles Zenawi. In order to hasten his demise and to help end the little Batustans he created, it is everyone’s responsibility to stop cooperating with this criminal and end his reign before more harm could be done.

Awetnayu@hotmail.com

Related posts:

1. Meles Zenawi Has Already Cut the Revolution Ribbon in Ethiopia
2. Ethiopia: A Defining Moment for the People of Tigray
3. Ethiopia PM Willing to Meet Long-Time Eritrean Enemy
4. How to Create Scapegoats and Target the Media
5. BBC Undercover Investigation: Ethiopia Using Billions of Aid Dollars for Political Oppression

In recent days, Eritrea is once again pushed into negative headlines: In the Afar region of Ethiopia, European tourists were abducted and murdered. Two German, two Hungarians and Austrians did not survive the journey to the Ethiopian-Eritrean border area.  For another two German and two Ethiopian companion perhaps the horror continues: These were kidnapped, like the Ethiopian government spokesman Bereket Simon told.

This raises the question of why tourists always ignore the longstanding travel warnings for this area. In recent years there has been several robberies and kidnappings, most ending without tragedy. Before any investigation and immediately after the cruel deed has been known, the Ethiopian government spokesman named the culprit: the Eritrean Government.

But not enough. The Ethiopian propaganda machine gets going and suddenly the subject is no longer “just” murdered and kidnapped tourists, but rather, Eritrea being also accused of instigating a plot in January 2011, to disrupt the annual summit of the African Union (AU) in the Ethiopian capital. The current incident was a deliberate action, according to Simon, because in the next week in Addis Ababa AU starts again a great conference: “Eritrea wants to destabilize the entire region,” the Ethiopian foreign minister goes on in a piece of his allegations. Another target of the attack, which he accuses the government in Asmara-trained bandits of, is suipposed to be the Ethiopian tourism industry.

The international media echoe the Ethiopian version of the drama in the Afar region -, the facts hardly checked by a newspaper, in spite of the well documented hgistory of the Ethiopian propaganda. Some newspapers even noted that Ethiopia and Eritrea were involved in a border dispute, Eritrea supported Somali Islamists militarily, and Ethiopia accusations of Eritrea of terrorist acts. All this in a time, when Ethiopia finds itself exposed to harsh international criticism because of massive human rights abuses and forced displacement.

The facts and the failure of critical journalism

Eritrean government officials, including Girma Asmerom, Eritrea’s ambassador to the African Union immediately reported that the charges are “an absolute lie and a fabrication”. It had become a habit of the Ethiopian government, to blame Eritrea whenever something happens in Ethiopia, said Asmerom. This is however barely mentioned in the media. The Ethiopian propaganda machine following its scheme of “Something will always stick!” in its efforts to discredit Eritrea time and again.

This is just the continuation of Ethiopian politics, making Eritrea responsible for all internal and external political conflicts in the country: the ongoing war in Somalia, that is fueled by Ethiopia as well as attacks of various independence movements in Ethiopia -now a raid in the Afar region. Such attacks were proven of not having been controlled by Eritrea in the past, on the contrary, in the effort to liberate Europeans who were kidnapped by a tribe Afar, Eritrea played a crucial and positive role.

Facts are: alleged Eritrea’s attacks in Ethiopia have been found so far to be manufactured for propaganda purposes, as its false claims of the support of the Islamist Al Shabab in Somalia.

Example 1: On August 30, 2011 on Wikileaks labelled ‘secret’ telegram from the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa published October 6th, 2006. The message has been sent to the U.S. State Department, the headquarters of USCENTCOM, IGAD, the CIA, CJTF, DIA, and NSC. The notification (Reference ID 06ADDISABABA2708) referred to a series of three planned terrorist attacks on 16 September 2006 in the capital of Ethiopia, the Eritrean authorities responsible for the security and the Oromo resistance made. Contents of the secret dispatch: The media reported that the Ethiopian intelligence The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) claimed together with the anti-terrorism task force of the federal police that the bombs as part of a coordinated terrorist attack on the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF ), the oldest national liberation movement in Ethiopia, and the Sha’abiya (Eritrea) were applied to disrupt the democratic process. In the – unsuccessful – attacks in Kara Kore-District three suicide bombers were killed. The bombs had gone off prematurely in the preparation in an illegally constructed buildings and two of the men died in the explosion, the third a little later in the hospital, the release of the security authorities.

In the dispatch of the report of an informant and secret messages of the message source was quoted as blaming the security forces of the Government of Ethiopia for the assassination. On 20 September 2006 contacted Dr. Merera Gudina, former leader of the Embassy of the ONC. In his report he stated that the deceased was not killed when a bomb, but rather have been in the hands of government cadres were imprisoned and tortured. The men had been picked up a week earlier by police and arrested. The police would have brought them into the house and raised near the explosives. It remained unclear, whether the men belonged to the ONC or OLF.

Example 2: The claim that Eritrea would destabilize the region relates mainly to the accusation that Eritrea supported the Islamist Al-Shabab militia in Somalia with money and weapons. The most recent accusation acoounting for UN sanctions against Eritrea – was recently moved to the realm of fables: In November last year, Eritrea was accused of supplying arms to Kenya Al Shabab. Three planes full of weapons were said to having landed in the town of Baidoa. The “UN Monitoring Group on Somalia,” could not prove this, and recently reported that such flights have taken place and “incorrect” the assertion …

Example 3: The border dispute. The fact is that relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been strained by this ongoing border dispute – the blame on which is, however, only to Ethiopia. Because for this border disput,there is a solution on the table since 2000. The International Court in The Hague ruled on the issue of border disputes to an arbitration, the two sides have in advance officially recognized within the framework of the Algiers peace agreement as final and binding. But Ethiopia refused to implement the peace agreement, illegally occupying Eritrean territories and threatening war, whenever it seems politically expedient internally.

 Source: Dehai and translated by Chrischi

Related posts:

1. Tourism is Dangerous in Ethiopia Thanks to Meles Zenawi
2. Eritrea: Volcanic Eruption on the Eritrean-Ethiopian Border
3. Westminster Hall Debate on Horn of Africa
4. Eritrean Government Press Release on IGAD Communiqué
5. Ethiopia PM Willing to Meet Long-Time Eritrean Enemy

The unofficial official voice or website of TPLF/Greater Tigray or Abbay Tigray, Aigaforum, posted a notice from the Public Relation and Government Bureau. I found the piece interesting for many reasons. But, there are three that I think people need to note, at least for their peculiarity.

The first thing that jumped out was the header The Government of Regional National State of Tigray (GRNST). This raises many questions. What is the reasoning behind combining the words Government, Regional, National and State? Why not call it the State of Tigray? Or as is customary for the Amhara Kilil and others, why not call it Tigray Regional (Kilil) administration? Why call it a National government? Why call it a government? Then again why does Tigray need a Public Relation and Government Bureau? Is it a PR for government? Or is it just a name of a government organ? But why repeat the words government and national?

The second reason; while the letter acknowledges Ethiopians in passing, it is written in Tigrignya that many Ethiopians could not understand. So, why not write a letter in Amharic and English as well? What is the reason behind doing that? Were the musicians representing Tigray only? The questions are many.

The third reason; what is the main objective of the letter? Why now, after a good amount of time passed since the death of the musicians? These questions are questions that make you go ehm…

This is a true reminder of what Ethiopians are dealing with, duplicity. This is what is called chewing with both sides of the mouth with a mouth full of food on both sides ready to pop out of the chcks cheeks. It is underhanded call or a plea for Tigrayans. It is a call for uniting Tigrayans. This is a coded message designed to satisfy those with Abbay Tigray aspirations that have been disillusioned and sidelined by Meles. It is a move by the Tigray Govenemnt PR Bureau. It is a PR move to try to recapture a lost constituency by using patriotic dead musicians.

This was also an introduction of Tigray as government and as a nation. It is a PR move by the “Public Relation and Government Bureau” to introduce Tigray as a Government, as a Nation and or a State. They put it all out there. One can have his or her pick of what to call Tigray be it a State, Government, Region or a nation. All the words that define Tigray are there.

Conclusion

Never in history have we seen a governing body reluctantly leading a country with competing agendas of equal sovereignty in this case Tigray and Ethiopia simultaneously. It is also ironic for Ethiopian opposition leaders to have to grapple with this sensitive issue while condemning this isolationist agenda and at the same time retaining the nationalist camp. In the long run however, this will prove to be deadly for the people of Tigray because they will carry a bull’s eye by everyone from Somalia, Ogaden, Oromo, Amhara, Gambella, Anuak and Afar…

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UNITED NATIONS, November 30 — Amid widespread questioning in the UN Security Council of the push to vote today on new Eritrea sanctions, with the US having blocked a request from Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to talk to the Council, Gabon midday on Wednesday again said it would call for a vote later that day.

Sources tell Inner City Press that Russia has threatened to veto.

Inner City Press has obtained a copy of the November 29 letter to the Council from Eritrea’s UN Ambassador Araya Desta, and asked Desta about it. “It is the third letter,” Desta told Inner City Press.

The letter says, “It has come to my attention that the delebation of Gabon intends to table the draft resolution on Eritrea for action tomorrow… I appeal to your Excellency that H.E. Mr. Isaias Afwerki, President of the State of Eritrea, be given the audience to address the [UNSC] before any action is taken on the draft resolution.”

Desta speaking exclusively to Inner City Press went further: “What does Gabon know about Eritrea? Where it is? They don’t even know the location of Eritrea.” Significantly, larger African member of the Council South Africa is known to oppose voting on Wednesday on the proposed sanctions.

Desta told Inner City Press, “It is crazy to penalize the Eritrean people in order to get a second term for Jean Ping as commissioner of the African Union.” He mused, “Meles [Zenawi] tells him, I’ll help you get a second term, if you help” put more sanctions on Eritrea.

Inner City Press asked Desta why he thought the US was being so adamant. Desta said “my President has write two or three letters” to President Obama, “my foreign minister met with them.”

Some have alluded to the US “using” Ethiopia to fight Islamists in Somalia, first the Islamic Courts and now Al Shabaab, including it’s said from drone bases in Ethiopia.

To be less US-focused, Eritrea clearly has enemies among other neighbors: Djibouti, for example, often buzzes around the Security Council. But the idea that a head of state should on request be allowed to address the Security Council before such sanctions are voted on seems to be widely held.

Related posts:

1. Eritrea Warns U.N. Not to Pass “Ludicrous” Sanctions
2. At UN, US Rice Pushes Vote on Eritrea Santions, Russia Says No, S. Africa Amends
3. Sanctions Against Eritrea Will Not Help the Region
4. UN Expected to Approve Sanctions on Eritrea
5. Eritrean Government Press Statement on Hasty Push to Endorse Resolution

Kenya last week said that three planeloads of weapons had been flown into southern Somalia to arm al-Shabab militants being pursued by Kenyan troops. Kenya’s foreign minister summoned Eritrea’s ambassador and “raised concern” over the possibility Eritrea was behind it.

Eritrean Ambassador Beyene Russom told The Associated Press on Friday that there is no evidence to support the accusations.

Russom says the accusations fit into a pattern of misinformation against his country, which he blamed on Ethiopia, Eritrea’s longtime enemy.

(AP)  The Associated Press.

Related posts:

1. U.S. Policy in Somalia: Video
2. Distorted Anti-Eritrea Accusations and Intended Measures as regards the Somali issue would be a resort the authors and implementers of which Stand to Regret: President Isaias
3. Eritrea Rep Says Ethiopia Offers Help Ping Second AU Term As Trade for Sanctions
4. At UN, US Rice Pushes Vote on Eritrea Santions, Russia Says No, S. Africa Amends
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On a recent interview with ESAT, the Founder and President of Genocide Watch, Dr. Gregory Stanton stressed that Ethiopia is high on the list of countries of Genocide Watch. The reasons Dr. Stanton outlined are alarming; however true, yet, an opportunity for Ethiopians and other peace loving people in the world to try to stop it from taking place. This is not the first time Dr. Stanton raised alarm publicly. However, this time, Dr. Stanton detailed the reasons why; as well as how and, what could trigger genocide in Ethiopia and specifically Tigray.

Dr. Stanton comes with a sizeable resume and expertise in genocide related matters because he has been closely associated with the formulation of the legal language and UN resolutions that govern the international standards. He has dedicated a great deal of time into the matter understanding the triggers; the damage, the consequences and ramifications; and hopefully preventive mechanisms. Dr. Stanton said the very reason Genocide Watch started is that, after The Rwanda Genocide, he came to the realization that there is a need for a watchdog group that specifically focused on genocide. And, that is the reason why he founded the organization.

While it is difficult to trust West- based organizations that claim to do good; I found Dr. Stanton’s reasoning compelling and his observation about the issues in Ethiopia spot-on. Dr. Stanton highlighted the stages or indicators that point to the likelihood of genocidal events in a given region and in this case Ethiopia, specifically Tigray. One of the common factors in these countries is often minority regimes ruling ethnically based administrations. Dr. Stanton said a Tigrayan minority that created its own colonies within the country rules Ethiopia. He further noted that the minority Tigrayan regime has created animosities and mistrust amongst the various ethnic groups in Ethiopia in order to divide and rule. In these circumstances a feeling of”Us-against-them” and resentment arises with deadly consequences. And there is always a nickname associated used to demonize the minority group as in Rwanda.

In Ethiopia, the minority Tigrayan regime has committed countless crimes against humanity in the Ogaden, the Gambella and other places. There has been a major forced uprooting of large populations to accommodate multinational organizations not to mention the ethnic cleansing of over eighty thousand Eritreans from Ethiopia from 1998-2000. That is why Dr. Stanton was compelled to warn; ultimately, the people of Tigray will end up paying the price for the crimes the genocides Meles regime is perpetrating. He stated, “My job is to identify trends that could cause genocides and what I am witnessing in Ethiopia is a great deal of concern for the people of Tigray because the regime is committing these crimes on their names.”

Here we go…, if an Ethiopian or Eritrean makes these remarks a Tigrayan is likely to brush it off as exaggeration. But what Dr. Stanton’s attempt to expose the minority Tigrayan genocidal regime does is, give weight to the subject and raise the ante. It gives it credibility. In a recent interview with ESAT, American Professor Theodore Vestal echoed similar concerns.

What is taking place in Ethiopia is real and not difficult to see its direction. All good things come to an end and the good time the genocidal TPLF clique enjoyed at the expense of Ethiopia and the regime is coming to end sooner than later. The regime, thinking that it will be the ultimate ruler in the region played a zero sum game with every country and ethnic group in the region. It committed genocides in the Ogaden and Gambella. It is dismembering the region by giving major land-away free; in Somalia, it has created a holocaust etc…

Signs of a dying regime

All of what the minority genocidal regime has done is ending. In 2006, Meles Zenawi waived the Holy Bible to invade an Islamic nation and failed leaving bloody trails. Now the Kenyans have taken that dubious honor to the dismay of the Transitional Government of Somalia. This clearly is a sign that the mercenary clique has failed to do the job and replaced by Kenya.

After the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia started, the minority regime established alliances with Omar Al Beshir of Sudan and Abdallah Sallah of Yemen to isolate and entrap Eritrea. Ten years removed, The Sallah regime is on life support and Sudan has distanced itself from Meles and strengthened her alliance with Eritrea. This is significant because there were major events that changed the dynamics of the frail Sudanese Ethiopian alliance for good. Firstly, Sudan split into two. Secondly, the Weakileaks revelation that Meles wanted Beshir gone is a certain dagger into the relationship and importantly, the TPLF clique is prone to pursue US interests at the expense of Ethiopia. While the minority regime has tried to show a positive face with Sudan, in a departure from the regular positive spins, the mouthpiece of TPLF Aigaforum website posted a critical article about Sudan while President Isaias Afwerki was in Sudan on a state visit, a first.

All one has to do is understand what Sudan means to Tigray.  The city of Kassala Sudan is 182 km from the city of Humera Tigray [aka Beghemder]. Sudan is a lifeline to Tigray because Tigray is a landlocked province. Most of the goods that come into Tigray including oil come from Sudan. If Sudan closes borders with Tigray, there will be a drastic change in the economic realities of Tigray. For long, the genocidal Meles was able to play the ICC card against President Beshir but now the political dynamics have changed after the independence of South Sudan. Furthermore, Eritrea is deeply entrenched in Sudan. In fact, during the opening ceremonies of a new highway between Eritrea and Sudan President Beshir said, “I want no border between Eritrea and Sudan.” This is significant because it means the interest of Sudan and Eritrea are in sink economically, politically, culturally and security wise. This clearly highlights the influence Meles lacks with his immediate neighbors. The only lifeline the genocidal regime has is Djibouti. In other words, he is alienated and, what he conspired against Eritrea turned on him.

The realities inside Ethiopia are not different. Meles Zenawi and his clique have no support of the Ethiopian people. The majority of Ethiopians in the 2005 election rejected them.  And the crimes Meles committed in various Ethiopian regions are a public record.

The Alarm of Genocide

That being the case, what could push Ethiopia over the edge and create a scenario that could dismember the nation and create chaos? What could trigger a situation that makes a specific group of Ethiopians, in this case Tigray a target for mass killing?  Why Tigray? Is there a truth behind Dr. Stanton’s alarm about genocide? To say Ethiopia loathes the TPLF and Meles Zenawi is understatement. Hence, is there truth to the fact that Tigrayans will ultimately pay for the crimes Meles is committing in their name?

While there are many Tigrayans that say Meles does not represent Tigray; the reality is the main supporters of Meles are from Tigray.  On the other hand, one of the main threats to his regime is Tigray based with a resurgent TPDM, a movement that is creating problems from within and gaining momentum with tens of thousands in the force already.  This means that the people Tigray, at least a sizeable portion are, opposed to Meles Zenawi’s rule. However, a perception exists that Tigrayans are the ones perpetrating the oppression that is taking place in Ethiopia.

In 1998, Meles and his clique forced over 80,000 Eritreans out of their homes. What is interesting was that the majority of Ethiopians were opposed to this. They hated seeing their neighbors, their friends, friends of their sons and daughters, people they grew up and grew old with; old, young and people that knew little or nothing about Eritrea forced out of their homes and ethnic cleansed. This is a precedent Meles Zenawi set, unheard of before and breaking the fabric of a long-standing relationship between both peoples. Therefore, is it likely, when the opportunity arises that Ethiopians could say, “What is good for the goose is good for the gander” and repeat history?

In 2003, a report that detailed the atrocities the minority clique committed in Gambella became public and it compelled Dr. Stanton to state, that the crimes “fit the definitions of genocide and crimes against humanity. Human Rights Watch also conducted two investigations of their own and determined that the crimes against the Anuak meet the stringent definition of crimes against humanity.”  This does not include the forced eviction of thousands of Anuak Ethiopians from their homes, villages and farmlands to accommodate Indian and other multinational corporations. If Anuaks have the opportunity, will they lash out?

The most Brutal atrocities by Meles and his clique are taking place in the Ogaden. Major humanitarian organizations have provided detailed account of the atrocities the genocidal clique is committing in the Ogaden. Horrid pictures of tortured and raped women; torched village after village; reports of systemic alienation and denial of humanitarian aid to millions of Ogadeni’s over a sustained period with irrefutable-evidences are abundant. Thousands have perished while millions remain disconnected from the outside world, deliberately. The international community has been-denied access to the area. In fact, two Swedish reporters are in jail captured by the minority clique while trying to report about the plight of the people of Ogaden.  The list could go on…, but the question is there a repercussion?  And who will pay?

What the minority clique is doing to the people Somalia is a historic crime that will reverberate for generations. It is the highest crime of humanity like the holocaust and the crimes of the Ottoman Empire on the Armenian people. What makes it more ironic is that the people of Somalia were not posing any threat; they were not in a position; they did not have the capacity or, the ability to do harm. The minority clique invaded a sovereign nation at the behest of Westerners and committed genocides needlessly. Unfortunately, the regime is still at it using the people of Somalia for political, monetary and military advantages from the West and using the plight of the poor women and children as apolitical theater against Eritrea squandering precious moments for the people. Will they have their day?

The people of Oromo didn’t fare better either. The first target of the minority clique was Oromia.  The people of Oromo have suffered the most in the hands the TPLF. Any resistance against the clique meets brute force. Thousands of students have perished, beaten and jailed in high schools and colleges for showing a sign of opposition. Siye Abraha, a clique member said that the jails are full of Oromo people. A fight with Tigrayan students in colleges is a reason for serious punishments. This is because Oromia poses the greatest threat since the Oromo represent the highest percentage of Ethiopia’s population and if they rise, it will end the regime’s reign. Whilst the minority clique is-forced to apply an appeasement strategy, the people of Oromo are asserting their position evermore with vigor. And it is certain that they will clash in due time. The list of atrocities is long everywhere in Ethiopia.

These are the realities in Ethiopia today. The situation in Ethiopia is grave and requires urgent intervention. Numerous causalities can lead to calamitous and bloody events in Ethiopia at any time. There are different scenarios under which these events could become reality. However, the clique has ignored all the possibilities with a belief, “As long as the international community is with us, the people of Ethiopia and the region does not matter: hence, catering to the needs of foreign powers and businesses solely. For example:

The regime is in violation of international laws for sitting on Eritrean territories which could trigger a conflict at any time when Eritrea sees it necessary. Furthermore, the Tigrayan minority regime has based its very existence on the destruction of Eritrea. Emboldened by the support it gets from the West, it is feeling invincible which could lead to a conflict. This will create an opportunities for the insurgencies to assert their positions forcefully and target their perceived threat, the people of Tigray.

Sudan could close its border with Tigray and deny needed goods creating economic chaos for Tigray. This in turn will force Tigryans to migrate into areas where they may not be welcomed.

Frustration and helplessness of the youth will be rampant and a conflict from within will be rampant. Insurgencies will erupt and create a civil war inside Tigray. This grim assessment is happening as we speak and will gain momentum in a much faster pace because the regime has broken all the bridges with Ethiopians. It denied Tigrayans their traditional gateway and business partner in Eritrea isolating the people.

Conclusion

Dr. Gregory Stanton made it clear that Meles Zenawi will face justice for the crimes he is committing all over Ethiopia. There is always a price to be paid and someone is going to pay for all the crimes committed over the last two decades. The question is will that affect the people of Tigray and how? What can the average person do to avert disasters and unnecessary hardships of poor innocent people? Meles Zenawi is a friend to no one. He is leading a minority clique that does not answer to the Ethiopian people. As he gets desperate, he is doing all he can to stay in power and if he cannot, he has already seeded all the destructive seeds to light the fire and destroy everything so he cannot be brought to justice. This alarm is a call to all regardless of where they come from.

Awetnayu@hotmail.com

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As a lead diplomat for the Clinton Administration for Africa, Ambassador Rice failed the people of Africa and particularly Rwanda in the most negligent of ways imaginable. Of course, no one will accuse Ambassador Rice for creating the genocide but she is responsible in many ways. As a point woman, one of her responsibilities was to identify threats to civilians and she failed in that regard. She could have used US power to minimize the slaughter; could have done more to attract international attention to minimize the damages and she failed. In other words, she could have done more to minimize the scope, duration and magnitude of the genocide but failed miserably and allowed genocide of a biblical proportion to take place on her watch with indifference. That is undeniable historical fact!

Before she became the UN ambassador for the Obama Administration, Susan Rice gave many interviews to promote her bid for the position. During those interviews, she expressed regret after regret for watching the Rwandan Genocide unfold as a bystander. However, the regrets are not to repent mistakes she made; rather, it was to absolve herself from direct responsibilities by assigning the blame on US policies and directives. In an interview with Michele Norris of NPR Ambassador Rice said,

“No policymakers in Washington or on Capitol Hill or any editorial boards, for that matter, were advocating U.S. military intervention in Rwanda. It wasn’t an option that was ever credibly contemplated, whether or not that would have been the right option.”

This statement is nothing but a skillful diversion of responsibilities laced with a devious sales pitch for a new aggressive policy. However, it is unfortunate that Michele Norris and other US media outlets served as a PR tool to-a-failed diplomat that affected humanity in the most negative way imaginable by passively accepting her comments without any challenges, denying Americans an opportunity to make educated choice. They failed to question statements Ambassador Rice made admitting to the colossal failure when she said that she, “Learned that policymakers have to put all of the options, conceivable and inconceivable, before ourselves and before senior leadership so that we’re not in a position of saying that we didn’t give it full enough or ample enough consideration.”

She did not “put all of the options” or “give-it-full enough consideration” because she failed to anticipate the possibilities. That is an admission of failure. The Human Rights Watch’s Alison Des Forges stated how very “un-helpful” Susan Rice was when Des Forges was trying to mobilize action and raise the alarm in the early days of the Rwandan genocide.

But what I found troubling was her disingenuous crocodile tears and the fact that Rice used the genocide as a platform for her hawkish agendas. According to the New York Times, the Obama Administration appointed Susan Rice, “To send to the world organization a prominent and forceful advocate of stronger action, including military force if necessary, to stop mass killings like those in the Darfur region of Sudan in recent years.”

The Obama Administration did not have to select an individual with such a record. It is also unfortunate Ambassador Rice used the Rwanda genocide as a reason to forward the agenda of force as a primary option to impose change on countries of interest. Her primary tool of achieving US interests is force or credible threat of force. Ambassador Rice is not an advocate of peace, cooperation, the prevalence of the rule of law, diplomacy and welfare of the good of the people of the world and particularly Africa.

Ambassador Susan Rice was a miserable failure as a US point woman in Africa. In her watch, the Eritrea and Ethiopia peace process was botched leading to a war that took the lives of over 150,000 youth, with millions displaced and thousands-more maimed as a result. Somalia’s slide and mistrust for US policies goes back to her tenure. Yet, she is able to use these and other failures to lever her to a much higher cabinet level position. In fact, Rice advertised how she intended to accomplish her objectives by saying, “I swore to myself that if I ever faced such a crisis again, I would come down on the side of dramatic action, going down in flames if that was required.”

As a result, the US has a brazen, aggressive UN Ambassador. She is unbalanced on her approaches, unprincipled, hypocritical, and unashamed to make outlandish claims. Most importantly, her views, approaches and actions are damaging to US interests long term. She is intent to pass a robust and open-ended UNSC decisions to help launch full-scale attacks as in Libya.

It renders the average person even more helpless when failed-diplomats rise to a level of UN ambassadorship after a colossal failure such as Rwanda. The hypocrisy is even glaringly more apparent when one compares the scolding and rebukes the Captain of the ship Exxon Valdez (rightfully) received for creating environmental disaster after wrecking the tanker compared to the holocaust that Ambassador Rice bared witness as a bystander without any accountability.

The Alarm

Ambassador Susan Rice is pursuing reckless policies particularly in the Horn of Africa. As an American, I am deeply disturbed and concerned by the way she is pushing policies that will lead to uncontrolled bloodshed and genocides in Africa. No one expected what took place in Rwanda could have actually happened, but it did. There could have been warning signs, ignored signs. This time however, the world will have no excuse to plead ignorance. The responsibility befalls on all involved since the threats and warnings are real and based on substantive evidence.

Dr. Gregory Stanton, President and founder of Genocide Watch warned; ultimately, the people of Tigray will end up paying the price for the crimes the genocides Meles regime is perpetrating. He stated, “My job is to identify trends that could cause genocides and what I am witnessing in Ethiopia is a great deal of concern for the people of Tigray because the regime is committing these crimes on their names.”

Dr. Stanton did not express an isolated observation of warning. The Human rights Watch (an organization that pushes US agendas) and major humanitarian organizations have detailed genocides Meles Zenawi committed in Somalia, the Ogaden, and other parts of Ethiopia and warned successive US Administrations about the prevailing humanitarian crisis. Moreover, in 1st of October 2007, Human Rights Watch briefed The House Committee on Foreign Affairs, subcommittee on Africa and Global Health and (concerned about how US interests could be impacted adversely)warned,

“Human Rights Watch would like to focus on the conduct of the Ethiopian military, not only because the Ethiopian government’s military forces have systematically committed atrocities and violated the basic laws of war, but because Ethiopia is a key ally and partner of the United States in the Horn of Africa. The crimes committed by Ethiopian forces in the Ogaden and in Somalia are not unique, on the contrary they add to a mounting toll of abuses that have made Ethiopian security forces among the most abusive on the continent. Human Rights Watch has previously documented crimes against humanity by Ethiopian military forces in Gambella, and serious abuses in Oromia, Addis Ababa and other parts of Ethiopia.”

Human Rights Watch and others have reported genocides the Meles regime committed evidenced by satellite photos of torched villages and systemic suffocation of large populations in various parts of Ethiopia. But what arouses the current concern is the fact that the actions and decisions Ambassador Rice is pursuing will unhinge the entire region and create a human calamity that can potentially dwarf the genocide of Rwanda.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released a report authored by Terence Lyons in June of 2011 called, “Ethiopia, Assessing Risks to Stability” highlighting the “brittle” nature of Ethiopia’s stability. The report detailed the faultiness and triggers to instability. According to the report, Ethiopia is a powder-cake with many challenges that in time will erupt when the risk factors coalesce. A powerful party that buys loyalty with economic incentives rules Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a country led by an ethnic Tigrayan minority that represents only 6% of 90 million populations. Ethiopia is a country divided ethnically with the ethnic groups having some autonomy but in time will demand more. Ethiopia faces insurrections in Oromia with the OLF, Ogaden ONLF, in Tigray TPDM and Afar etc… The ruling party is, resented throughout the entire nation. The country has a one party system that Ethiopians rejected in the 2005 elections. The army may be representative of the different ethnic groups but the leadership core is almost entirely from Tigray. Ethiopia is under a firm grip of a tyrant and when challenged could spell disaster for the nation. These threats represent internal threats only. The report outlines Ethiopia is susceptible to outside threats Somalia and Eritrea. In addition, instability and conflicts in the region can affect Ethiopia. For example, instability in South Sudan or other countries can easily spill over. The study hesitates to give a time-frame but stated when all these forces come together it will definitely lead to instability in Ethiopia.

The report is modest, conservative and minimizes the true dangers facing Ethiopia. The report however, is deadly accurate when it concluded that Ethiopia is given a pass on all its human rights violations because it is a vital ally of the US and Western interests. Ethiopia receives the highest development and security aid from the US, UK and other Western countries. According to USAID, Ethiopia is the highest recipient of bilateral aid in Africa. From 2008 to 2011, Ethiopia received 969,916,533 and 583 million US Dollars. From the Department for International Development’s (DFID) in 2009/2010 Ethiopia received a total of £214.3 aid from the UK and has chosen Ethiopia to be its biggest recipient $2 billion in British development total during the next four years. This is just a sample representative of the humanitarian, development, economic and security aid Ethiopia receives. Ethiopia receives these aid with a condition to, in effect, work as a subcontractor of Western security interest in the region. Ethiopian troops are active in peacekeeping missions in sensitive areas when Western troop presence could look like an occupation. They are in Darfur and recently, in the contested Abiye region in Sudan. They are doing countless missions in Somalia and elsewhere in Africa.

What this demonstrates clearly is Ethiopia’s dependence on Western powers for sustenance. As the report indicated inadvertently, Ethiopia has a mercenary army lead by Tigrayan Generals operating as hired guns for the West. Ethiopia is the most important country in the region because it serves as a linchpin in a strategic area of the world. And Ethiopia is a perfect candidate for that because Ethiopia has leaders that are warmongers and willing to do the dirty job and importantly, the regimes survivability depends upon the funds it generates from these activities. Absent of the funds the regime will collapse instantly.

The reason Ethiopia is important is that it allows the West to direct their activities from Ethiopia the headquarters of the African Union. US and Western interests in the region include, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda amongst others. Ethiopia as an anchor State allows US, to quarterback activities. These advantages, Westerners believe cannot afford to lose; therefore, they allow Ethiopia to get away with all the human rights and international laws violations with impunity. The West is also determined to accommodate Ethiopia’s wishes by providing political cover and support as Ethiopia pursues its interests. The regime in Ethiopia is emboldened as a result.

However, the US is pursuing a dangerous policy that could backfire and bring about significant setback to US interests in the region. The US is also playing Russian roulettes with the lives of millions and risking its influence and reach in the region. Instability in Ethiopia will affect the region negatively politically and economically. It will contribute to instabilities in South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda. In the aftermath of the 2007 election violence in Kenya, Uganda’s economy froze because Uganda imports all the goods it needs through the ports in Mombasa Kenya as a result the risks to instability in Uganda was high. This illustrates the region is interlinked at many levels and in many ways.

Ambassador Susan Rice is currently pursuing to impose additional sanctions on Eritrea for the second time under the pretext of “African Initiative.” This is a strategy the US is uses to avoid appearance of direct involvement. By using a regional grouping such as IGAD, Arab League etc…, the US has replaced the burden of proof or, legal process with un-provable slanderous allegations that can make a PR case against any nation in order to pass punitive measures. This strategy has proven its effectiveness. If the likes of the Arab league or African Union accuse a nation of malice there is no burden of proof required for the US to punish in order to pursue interest in this case Eritrea. Ambassador Rice will go to any length to ensure the development of the language she needs to achieve her objectives.

Recent leaks show how Ambassador Rice collaborated with Ethiopia to design the sanction against Eritrea. The cables show how Charge d’ affairs of Ethiopia Fesseha Tessema and Rice collaborated to forward the sanction measure to UNSC based on deception. Ambassador Rice is one more time pushing this agenda by using Gabon as she did with Uganda.

The problem with the resolution being-pursued is multi pronged. Firstly, as evidenced, the Ethiopian regime is driving the agenda. Ethiopia and Eritrea have been engaged in prolonged hostility where the US has sided with Ethiopia because Ethiopia is its strategic partner. Secondly, it is because the charges are baseless and unjustifiable. The accusing parties namely Ethiopia and the US are the destabilizing actors in Somalia parties that are culpable. The US and Ethiopia are the parties that invaded Somalia in December of 2006 and uprooted the only hope to stability the Somali’s created in nearly 20 years with Islamic Court Union (ICU) which was headed by the current TFG leader, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, whom the US detained after the invasion of Somalia. If it was not for the US and Ethiopia, there was a good chance Somalia could have reconstituted. But they concluded, it is a possible threat to US and Ethiopian interests and they forcibly disbanded them leading to the current holocaust the world is witnessing in horror. Thirdly, the resolution being-thought; was hatched in Ethiopia by the genocidal regime in Ethiopia. Fourthly and most importantly, Eritrea does not have access to effectively prove or disprove the charges and, to challenge a system that the US controls armed with a veto power. The Somali Monitoring Group tasked to look at these matters was set-up by Dr. Jendayi Frazer to pursue punitive measures against Eritrea. It is not a legal body with a process to stand. It is not a court of law where the plaintiff, the defendant and witnesses stand in front a of the judge to litigate; it is not an investigative body that has the ability to conduct its own investigation and present evidences; it is not an elected body beholden to any constituency; it is PR tool whose directives come from the State Department designed to legitimize illegal UN actions on nations that have no representation or voice. The world must stop this dangerous international precedent.

The above agenda’s design is to decapitate Eritrea; and place it under the control of the genocidal regime in Ethiopia. The first sanction Ambassador Rice passed was an arms embargo to tie the hands of the people of Eritrea while Ethiopia is occupying Eritrean territories in violation of international laws. This time, she is seeking to tighten the sanction to render the nation non-viable by using yet another African nation, Gabon. The question is what is Eritrea’s answer is going to be to the slow death-sentence Ambassador Rice decided upon it? Will Eritrea allow the hawkish Rice and the genocidal regime to collaborate and destroy Eritrean independence earned with the lives of thousands and over 50 years of colonial agony? The answer to that is Eritrea will do what is in the best interest of Eritrea whatever that may be!

Conclusion

The cumulative result of years of US and Western support of a tyrant that is unaccountable to Ethiopians and the needs of the people in the region has reached a critical stage as highlighted by Genocide Watch and others. The institutional and governance vacuum that it created in the region is evidenced by the holocaust we are witnessing in Somalia. The situation in Ethiopia is not any better. In addition to all the instability indicators, the CSIS outlined; on August 17, 2011, The Telegraph reported, “Ethiopia famine dwarfs Somalia’s tragedy in scale.” The US has provided all the resources and political cover Ethiopia needed to pursue US interests. In the process, the potential for one of the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world is ever closer to becoming a reality. The population in the region, namely Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, South Sudan and Eritrea is about 250 million. Another conflict in the region will set off events that Ambassador Susan Rice could not foresee.

Any future war in the region will have no end game other than a complete annihilation. The region has no reason to fight other than to pursue devious agendas based on irresponsible interests. And that will be bloody beyond imagination. But one thing for certain, Ethiopia and the region will never be the same.

The blood will-be shed as a direct result of policies Ambassador Rice pursued. Ethiopia could be, fragmented by region and ethnicity. And worse, there will be a religious conflict because the leadership in Ethiopia waved the holy-cross to invade an Islamic nation in Somalia. There are also populations and regions like Tigray that will face genocide as retribution because that is the home of the ruling party. Afar and the Amhara regions surround Tigray and they may-not have a warm feeling because of the hardship they endured due to a group that leads Ethiopia in the name of Tigray. Hence, any action by Ambassador Rice will be to light a fire and set off uncontrollable calamitous events that will destroy the lives of millions in the region. It will put the region in a permanent state of chaos.

This is a warning that all peace loving people need to take seriously because once events are set in motion it will be irreversible. The world must stop Ambassador Rice from passing decisions based on fabrications. The region suffers a great deal as a direct result of US involvement that does not consider the wellbeing of the people and long-term viability of the region. In other words, in order to achieve US interests the region is, denied the right to exist. That is unjustifiable and major crime against humanity. The people in the region have no recourse and ways they can address their grievances. Hence, it is incumbent upon all to stop it by campaigning against this evil design and stop Ambassador Susan Rice from triggering events that will lead to Rwanda like genocides in the Horn of Africa. This is what the “Is” is in the Horn of Africa today and tell President Obama it must not be.

Please spread the message to deter genocide.

Awetnayu@hotmail.com

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5. Ethiopia: A Defining Moment for the People of Tigray

A joint undercover investigation by BBC Newsnight and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism last month uncovered evidence that the Ethiopian government is using billions of dollars of development aid as a tool for political oppression.

The team travelled to the southern region of Ethiopia where they found villages in which whole communities are starving, having allegedly been denied basic food, seed and fertiliser for failing to support Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Now Newsnight has heard from members of the Ethiopian diaspora that the government is accused of a renewed crack-down on opposition supporters, politicians and journalists.

Angus Stickler reports, then Jeremy Paxman hears from International Secretary Andrew Mitchell.

Source: BBC

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refugee camp

A joint undercover investigation by BBC Newsnight and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has uncovered evidence that the Ethiopian government is using billions of dollars of development aid as a tool for political oppression.

Posing as tourists the team of journalists travelled to the southern region of Ethiopia.

There they found villages where whole communities are starving, having allegedly been denied basic food, seed and fertiliser for failing to support Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

The investigation has also gathered evidence of mass detentions, the widespread use of torture and extra-judicial killings by Ethiopian government forces.

Yet Western donors including Britain – which is the third largest donor to Ethiopia – stand accused of turning a blind eye by continuing to provide aid money despite being warned about the abuses. The aid in question is long-term development aid, not the emergency aid provided in response to the current drought in Ethiopia and its neighbours in the Horn of Africa.

Government response

Ambassador Abdirashid Dulane, the Deputy Head of Ethiopia’s UK Mission, has rejected the allegations saying that the Newsnight/Bureau report “lacked objectivity, even-handedness”.

“The sole source of the story was opponents of Ethiopia who have been rejected by the electorate, and time and again it has been shown that their allegations are unfounded”. Our reporters visited one village in southern Ethiopia with a population of about 1,700 adults. Despite being surrounded by other communities which are well fed and prosperous, this village, which cannot be named for fear of reprisals, is starving. We were told that in the two weeks prior to our team’s arrival five adults and 10 children had died.

Lying on the floor, too exhausted to stand, and flanked by her three-year-old son whose stomach is bloated by malnutrition, one woman described how her family had not eaten for four days.

“We are living day to day on the grace of God,” she said.

Another three-year-old boy lay in his grandmother’s lap, listless and barely moving as he stared into space. ”We are just waiting on the crop, if we have one meal a day we will survive until the harvest, beyond that there is no hope for us,” the grandmother said.

‘Abandoned’

In another village 30 km (19 miles) away it was a similar story. There our team met Yenee, a widow who along with her seven children is surviving by begging, eating leaves and scavenging scraps from the bins in the nearest town. ”The situation is desperate,” she said. “We have been abandoned… It is a matter of chance if we live or die.” The two villages sit just 15km (9 miles) either side of a major town, surrounded by other communities where the populations are well fed and healthy. They are in desperate need, but no-one is helping.

According to local opposition members they are being punished for failing to vote for the ruling party, the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which Mr Meles leads. Further north a group of farmers alienated by Mr Meles’ government met the BBC/Bureau team at a secret location on the edge of a remote village. One farmer described how he had been ostracised for failing to support EPRDF: “Because of our political views we face great intimidation. We are denied the right to fertiliser and seeds because of political ideology,” he said.

‘Buying support’

The Ethiopian federal and regional governments control the distribution of aid in Ethiopia. Professor Beyene Petros, the current vice-chairman of the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Forum, an alliance of eight opposition parties known as Medrek, told our reporters that aid is not distributed according to need, but according to support for the EPRDF:

“Almost all of the aid goes through the government channels… in terms of relief food supply and some of the safety net provisions, they simply don’t get to the needy of an equitably basis. ”There is a great deal of political differentiation. People who support the ruling party, the EPRDF, and our members are treated differently. The motivation is buying support, that is how they recruit support, holding the population hostage,” he said.

Mr Beyene said that the international community, including the British government, is well aware of the problem and that he has personally presented them with evidence: ”The position of the donor communities is dismissive… they always want to dismiss it as an isolated incident when we present them with some proof. And we challenge them to go down and check it out for themselves, but they don’t do it.”

Accountability

The UK International Development Minister Stephen O’Brien issued a statement in response to the allegations raised by the investigation, saying: ”We take all allegations of human rights abuses extremely seriously and raise them immediately with the relevant authorities including the Ethiopian Government, with whom we have a candid relationship. Where there is evidence, we take firm and decisive action.

“The British aid programme helps the people of Ethiopia, 30 million of whom live in extreme poverty. We demand full accountability and maximum impact on the ground for support from the British taxpayer.”

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Newsnight also gathered evidence of a crackdown and human rights abuses in Ethiopia’s Somali region, the area bordering Somalia and Kenya, also know as the Ogaden region. Ethnic Somali rebels from the outlawed Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and Ethiopian government forces have been fighting for control of Ogaden since the 1970s. The media and most aid agencies are banned from the region.

Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries of the world, is currently suffering from horrific drought.

Many of those fleeing the ensuing humanitarian crisis have headed to Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya. It is the largest refugee camp in the world, and the vast majority of the 400,000 people there are from Somalia, but among them are an increasing number of Ethiopians from the Ogaden.

‘Revenge killings’

Abdifatah Arab Olad, an Ogaden community leader, told our reporters that up to 100 refugees are arriving every month with tales of killings and the burning of villages by government troops. ”Whenever fighting has taken place between the rebels and the army, for each army member that is killed, the military go to the nearest town and they start killing people,” he said. “For each army member killed it equals to 10 civilians losses.”

In the corner of a makeshift shack in the camp, an old woman who had arrived from Ogaden three weeks earlier described being arrested along with 100 others in her village. She said they were taken to a jail where they were locked up in a shipping container, and picked out on a nightly basis to be tortured: ”They beat me then started to rape me; I screamed and fought with them… I tried to bite them… they tied me this way,” she said, gesturing to her legs.

“They raped me in a room, one of them was standing on my mouth, and one tied my hand, they were taking turns, I fainted during this… I can’t say how many, but they were many in the army,” she said.

‘Assaulted when pregnant’

Other women in the camp also said they had been arrested and accused of being members of the OLNF. They included one who said that she was eight months pregnant when she was detained and raped by eight soldiers: ”They were beating me while I was being raped, I was bleeding,” she said, describing how one soldier stamped on her stomach and beat her with the stock of his rifle:

“I fell unconscious when I saw my baby… a man jumping on your stomach, you can imagine what happened to the child, very big kicks blows with the back of a gun. As a consequence of that the child died.” We cannot substantiate these individual allegations. But other credible sources have reported similar stories of the widespread use of rape by Ethiopian security forces against women in the Ogaden.

Speaking on Newsnight, Ethiopia’s Ambassador Abdirashid Dulane said that the claims of rape and torture were a “rehash” of old allegations that the Ethiopian government had answered time and again. ”The Ethiopian government is governed by the rule of law, and human rights and democratic rights are enshrined in the Ethiopian constitution,” he said.

BBC

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5. Martin Plaut of BBC Agent of Genocidal Tyrant in Ethiopia

Nabro Volcano Eritrea

According to NASA strong volcanic activity continued at Nabro volcano, Eritrea in late June, 2011, almost two weeks after the volcano sprang to life after a series of earthquakes shook the Eritrea-Ethiopia border region.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Terra satellite captured this true-color image at 7:25 UTC (10:25 a.m.) local time on June 24, 2011.

Shortly after midnight local time on June 13, the volcano spewed a large ash plume about 8 miles (15 km) high and disrupted air traffic over parts of the Middle East. Prior to that day, there had been no eruptions of this volcano during historic times. The initial eruption contained large amounts of ash as well as very high levels of sulfur dioxide. By June 20, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center reported that the sulfur dioxide eruption continued.

In this image, the large red hotspots represent areas of increased surface temperature, an expected result of volcanic activity. A very large, white, billowing plume can be seen rising from near the hotspots and blowing to the southwest. The difference in the character of the eruption can be seen by comparing this image to the MODIS Image of the Day for June 21 (image captured on June 19), when the large plume was primarily dark brown in color.

On June 22, a report from the Eritrean Ministry of Information, stated that the ash and lava emitted from the Southern Red Sea region volcano has created a new land mass measuring hundreds of square meters.

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5. Sanctions Against Eritrea Will Not Help the Region

If we look back at the recent History of Africa and particularly World War II, there has never been a government or a leader that deliberately instigated enmity with countries and people solely as a ploy to remain in power and gain prominence like the conman Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. He has committed every act of crime, lied on every conceivable matter of importance and sold everything he can to the detriment and at the expense of the future of the nation and people in the region. He manipulated every issue and human cause and, instigated catastrophic military adventures in the region. He has sold everything, every political affiliate, organization and Tigray. In short he has sold everything including his soul if he had any. But all that is coming to a head now, for it must, since all adventures must end at some point. That point seems to be here and now!

The Eritrean Center for Strategic Studies (ECSS) conducted an interview with H.E Isaias Afewerki, and asked: “Your Excellency, there are some parties which contend that Ethiopia‘s future is in danger. Which way is Ethiopia going?”

President Isaias replied: “I do not want to make speculations as to which way Ethiopia is going. I can say that Ethiopia is going in the direction charted for it by the Woyane group administering Ethiopia. This group stood before, and still stands now, to gain nothing at all from Ethiopian unity. An examination of this group’s program which is holding the reigns of power in Ethiopia reveals that its objective since the 1975’s was to establish and independent sovereign state in Tigrai. We conducted relentless struggle to change this viewpoint and introduce them into a single Ethiopia program. But this viewpoint has as yet not disappeared. This regime is still in the process of creating conducive environment to disintegrate Ethiopia. It does not have Ethiopian national feelings. For instance, if we examine the Ethiopian constitution, especially Article 39 thereof, we observe that it permits right of self-determination up to secession. There is no constitution in the world during this epoch with this kind of provision.”

The template for the disintegration of Ethiopia was set in motion from-before the regime came to power. However, events did not play-out exactly as they were planned out. In fact, it turned out the opposite of what they calculated rendering all their projects, proclamations, agendas and predictions some miserable failures. Under normal circumstances, the clique would have collapsed for it remains rejected by the Ethiopian people. However, the illegitimate clique had become to be a staunch ally of the US propped and financed to further their agenda at the expense of the Ethiopian people and the region. If that western support stops, the clique will fall instantly. Otherwise, Meles Zenawi is probably one of the dumbest, incompetent and incapable tyrants to have governed any where. Here is why:

He Hurt the People of Tigray, His Own

In large part, the reason why Meles and his clique are in power today is due to their involvement with the causes that the people of Tigray fought for and the leadership role they assumed. That propelled to power because Ethiopia needed to fill a leadership vacuum created due to the ouster of The Derg. The clique did not have a mandate but, at that time, Ethiopians understood and realized the sufferings the people of Tigray endured for decades and tacitly acquiesced to some advantage for Tigray in order to bring it to a comparable level with the rest of the nation. Overtime, as the clique controlled the nation, they funneled more resources into Tigray. And regardless of the effectiveness or the size, a perception exist that Tigray was accorded a disparate advantage over the rest of Ethiopia. However, whether a sustainable foundation is established in Tigray is debatable. In addition, while power is a source of pride for some Tigrayans, it may have raised eyebrows in the rest of the nation. That is undeniable fact.

While the views about how the people of Tigray may have benefited are debatable; the critical question is how do the people of Tigray feel about their role at this critical juncture in the History of Ethiopia? Clearly, the people of Tigray were victorious after the fall of Derg. After years of hardships, it was high time to bring a just change in Tigray. The question is, at that very moment of victory, how did they envision the future of Tigray say, fifty years from that moment? How do Tigrayans feel about article 39 now? As president Isaias explained; if the group’s initial inclination was for Greater Tigray, which means it was the aspiration of some Tigrayans. Thence, for those that aspired to see that dream and are in leadership positions with that feeling; how committed are they for the security of the people of Ethiopia? How nationalists are they? The answer is it matters not anymore. Meles Zenawi killed any and all Tigrayan nationalist dreams and aspirations inadvertently. But worse, in the process, while killing Tigrayan nationalism, he inspired other ethnic group’s nationalism to a much higher level. Here is why:

In a recent article by Jawar Mohammed entitled “Meles Zenawi and OPDO Relations Enter A New Phase” outlined, “Dealing with the Unintended Consequences of an Appeasement Strategy.” In his analysis, Mr. Jawar explained how Meles initially manipulated and controlled the Oromo aspirations by using a “Client list system” and how the 2005 election changed that. Quote:

“For the previous 15 years, antagonizing and alienating the Oromo elite was seen as a key strategy to keep OPDO weak and subordinate. However, in order to survive the sudden surge of the Amhara threat, Meles had no choice but to try to make peace with the Oromo constituency. That is where Abadula Gemeda came in with a proven loyalty particularly during the 2001 TPLF internal crisis.”

Mr. Jawar states that, Mr. Gemeda was chosen for the post because of his enmity to the OLF. And as a result of the brief autonomy he acquired he successfully managed to bring on-board the opinion makers and possible opponents of the clique in line. Furthermore, he challenged them to bring changes and provided the incentives required. This turned out to be extremely successful-venture due the better governance that was attributable to the infusion of competent personnel as well as for Mr. Gemeda, Oromia-regional government and the people he recruited. As a result Mr. Gemeda’s popularity “skyrocketed” and became a threat and subsequently, a target of the ruling clique.

The strategy of Meles backfired and as a result, he is faced with lose-lose situation to quell Oromo nationalism. In other words, Meles dangled meat to a lion and is trying to take it away while the lion is roaring. The people of Oromo were given an opportunity for a taste of real autonomy and if that is taken away there is a good chance that the OLF can take advantage. Conversely, if the status quo is allowed to continue it threatens the regime.

This is contradictory to the situation in Tigray where most believe is run as an autonomous region yet, could not publicly assert that autonomy because it will have negative consequence both for the people of Tigray and Meles Zenawi. It is a conundrum of the highest form for Tigrayans whether they believe in Greater Tigray or a united Ethiopia. It is also a question that could only be addressed by the people of Tigray. This is also an issue that requires leadership and Meles could not openly address it since he is the leader of Ethiopia. Moreover, the leaders that came to power with Meles are compromised beyond reproach.

Article 39 and its Hypocrisy

There are many armed movements in Ethiopia today. There is a movement in Oromia, Gambella, Afar, Ogaden and in Tigray with TPDM amongst others. All these movements are empowered by the barrel of a gun. The article accords all ethnic nationalities legal rights to self determination up to secession in a nation that they divided along ethnic regions. Ironically, all the ethnic regions have their representative armed-movements. The illegitimate regime may have its own reasons to put article 39 on the constitution but in doing so it created some fault lines.

President Isaias stated, “This regime is still in the process of creating conducive environment to disintegrate Ethiopia.” The key word being “conducive”, is there such an environment to facilitate that end? Hardly! For one thing, the people of Tigray will not have a uniform attitude, which renders it premature. Secondly, if the people of Tigray unilaterally decide to exercise that option (which they could do since they control the process – (the parliament, the resources and the security apparatus), then they would carry a bulls eye for target by all. Thirdly, they have not established, as of yet, a conducive environment to enable them to be independent. Because as is known Abbay Tigray’s map incorporated parts of the Red Sea coast line and hence, it is not viable as is.

The key,

It requires a political honesty for the people of Ethiopia to address these entanglements. There needs to be a clear understanding of where the issues lie. It is also incumbent upon the people of Tigray to understand the burden as well as the responsibilities they carry for the rest of Ethiopia and ultimately, Tigray as part and parcel of Ethiopia.

At the height of the war with Eritrea in 2000, there was an opportunity for Meles and Ethiopia to chart a new direction for the nation and put it on a solid footing because Ethiopians were truly united at the time. Meles squandered that opportunity because he decided to sneak an election while the war was ongoing. However, Ethiopians waited for their time and came in the millions to reject the illegitimate con-man in 2005. That is when the brutality and naked disregard for the will of the Ethiopian people became glaringly obvious. That is also when Ethiopians clearly understood that he is only the yes man for his US and Western interests as the US Humvees roamed on the streets of Addis at that time. The US made Meles, their number one Ethiopian, gave him political cover from public scrutiny and actually raised his status by inviting him to the G-20 and G-8 meetings everywhere. That was when the Ethiopian revolution ribbon was cut.

Meles did not give Ethiopia a choice. Since then, Ethiopia’s fault-lines have widened along ethnic, religious, class, status and financial standing. The Gap between the halves and have-nots widened. The power and money is controlled by a handful that is in bed with the clique. At a moment in history where the world have traveled long to establish Anti Trust Laws, Meles is giving-away the nation in ways Ethiopians would have no control by leasing land to people that are not beholden to Ethiopians. The worst example of this is the land grab that is uprooting people from their villages.

Another sad example is the Midroc Ethiopia a mega conglomerate that is owned by Alamoudi. The billionaire is running a country within a country literally. He owns everything he needs. It is fascinating to imagine how any competition could be possible when he owns MIDROC Gold Mine PLC, ELFORA Agro-Industries PLC, Huda Real Estate PLC, Kombolcha Steel Products Industry PLC, Modern Building Industries PLC, addis Home Depot PLC, Trans Nation Airways PLC, addis Gas & Plastics Factory PLC, Wanza Furnishings Industries PLC, Daylight Applied Technologies PLC, Summit Engineered Plastics Pvt. Ltd. Co., Blue Nile P.P & Craft Paper Bags Manufacturing P.L.C, Rainbow Exclusive Car Rental And Tour Services Pvt. Ltd. Co., United Auto Maintenance Services Pvt. Ltd. Co., Queen’s Supermarket P.L.C. He even owns Trust Protection and Personnel Services PLC for security related matters. He has the capacity to manufacture, sell, and promote every conceivable product and services.

The problem here is not the success the billionaire enjoys. Rather, it is the concentration of unlimited powers that ought to concern all. His economic power accords him tremendous political and PR reach as well as influence beyond the capacity of any Ethiopian. It is rather strange to see a nation handing a Saudi billionaire the freedom to operate his own security company in a nation with a large army. This is uncharted territory because he is a billionaire that can afford to hire mercenary-troops, ala Black Water.

Conclusion

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? At this point it is safe to say if it was up to the ingenuity of Meles, he will make the tunnel and the lights disappear in order to eliminate any and all threats. Absence of hope despair reigns. Unfortunately for Ethiopia, the Weyane clique made strategic calculations and concluded that it can only succeed as a hegemonic by using fear, threats, brute force, bribes, deceit, lies and all other deceptive tactics to stay in power. In the process, Ethiopians have given up altogether. They gave up hope in the process and on Weyane. After genocides, mass killings and shootings innocent peaceful demonstrators; after years of corruption, empty slogans and exaggerated numbers of growth and after years of wars they have decided enough. Beka!

Over the years, the threats have escalated. They are unapologetic and brazen when approaching the region, the international community, and issues of national security.

Over the last 3 months, Meles’s incoherent blubbering has increased to a new high. He has declared war with Eritrea and is threatening Egypt using the Nile as a pretext in order to rally support and divert attention. He has completely disregarded Ethiopians and chose to antagonize them by sending his cohorts in the Diaspora. That is backfiring or has backfired. Their brazen pokes have galvanized people against them. In fact they have given the public a gift by awakening them.

Meles Zenawi and the clique are amongst the deadliest, most ruthless group of people Africa has ever seen. Their brutality knows no boundaries. They have no humanity or good will in them. They have placed Ethiopia and the region in the gravest of dangers. It is like the Ebola virus that will devour its host violently until its own demise. However, as grim as it may look, there is hope. There is hope in unity of all the people in the region coming together. There is awareness that cooperation amongst all the people in the region is the ultimate weapon against this vile virus. It is time to utilize all means at our disposal to make sure the scourge meets its fate. The vile vermin knows his time is up that is why he is resorting to outright threats. And the good news is he is all bark and no bite. Because, while he is declaring war and bragging to change the regime, he is begging Eritrea to make peace with him at the same time. He stated we will relinquish you your Badme so long as you agree to make peace and not support his opposition. In other words, he inadvertently admitted his weaknesses.

Therefore, it is time to unite and get rid of this vermin. May be then, the region can see peace. We are all hungry and desperately seeking peace and development. This is a call to all peace loving people in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Djibouti. It is time to chart a new direction. It is also time for the people of Tigray to see the sincerity of the call and not succumb to the fear the tyrant Meles may have instilled in them! In other words there is life after Meles with the people of Ethiopia and the region. That is the inescapable reality!

Awetnayu@hotmail.com

Related posts:

1. Tourism is Dangerous in Ethiopia Thanks to Meles Zenawi
2. Ethiopia: A Defining Moment for the People of Tigray
3. Ethiopia’s Ruling Party Tells Meles to Stay On
4. Ethiopia PM Willing to Meet Long-Time Eritrean Enemy
5. Ethnic Violence Claim is Contemptible: Ethiopia PM

Note: this article is a repost. The original was posted on Nov 27/2009. The revelation by Wikileaks on the role of Uganda’s Museveni and Dr. Jendayi Frazer played to hatch the ILLEGAL sanctions on Eritrea confirms what Eritreans have been saying all along. It is a travesty to see the one of the greatest nations to resort to this low! President Obama needs to repeal the ILLEGAL sanctions NOW!

For centuries, African leaders have done tremendous harm to Africans equal to that of the European colonizers by selling Africans to Western slave masters and by allowing foreigners to exploit Africa for their selfish interests. The exploitation of Africa using African leaders is pervasive. African resources are exploited by the West and other powers using African leaders who work for the interest foreign powers. These include leaders such as Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and the notorious Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia amongst others.

These leaders do not represent African interest, but worse, everything that they pursue is at the expense of the people they are supposed to lead. In the process, they are destroying the harmony, cultural heritage, the economies, health, agriculture and customs of the people in Africa. They are standing on the way of traditional cross-border trade amongst neighborly countries by igniting wars in an effort to fulfill the interests of their masters.

Over the years this tactic was used by many international actors. Since World War II, US governments have empowered and employed African strong Men to do their bidding in Africa extensively. During George W Bush´s administration however, the roles of these surrogates have expanded into many areas to achieve different geopolitical interests. They are being used as advocates for African related matters at the UN, as peacekeepers in sensitive areas where direct Western military involvement could conjure up anti-Western backlash and for PR purposes around the world. They are providing cover for Western powers to pursue questionable strategic interests and provide unfettered access into the countries of interest. The sole purpose is to exploit resources; and always at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of the people.

The human rights records of these surrogate African leaders are abysmal and should put them in jail for crimes against humanity. Their grade for governance is, Fail. The futures of the countries they lead are bleak. They are looting the resources and have neglected the infrastructures; health, agriculture, education and business opportunities are limited to the privileged few and foreigners. Their countries are ready to disintegrate from religious, ethnic and regional strife. We saw this in Kenya during the 2007 election-violence that paralyzed the country and in Ethiopia, during the May of 2005 sham election, with Ethiopians taking to the streets to protest against the criminal Meles regime, which responded by massacring innocent students by sharp shooters while the world witnessed in horror. The recent ethnic violence in Uganda that threatened to destabilize the country was quelled by violent Ugandan army that butchered people on the streets.

That is the hallmark of these leaders .But the irony is that they have the green light from the West to do as they wish in order to quell any popular uprising that could rise up against the interest of the West. The atrocities Museveni commits in Uganda and throughout the region is a shameful reminder of the warped justice Africans are subjected to. The West is making a mockery of justice as they employ it at will based on their geopolitical economic interests. Those on the payroll of the West can commit any crime ala Yoweri Museveni, Meles Zenawi, Mwai Kibaki and others while The International Criminal Court (ICC) looks the other way. But if you fail to tow to the whims of the West you are certain to face the fury of justice, or threat of it, as we have seen attempted on Sudan´s Omar Al Bashir.

Yoweri Museveni has constitutionally outlawed all other political parties and is ruling Uganda using his militarized one party dictatorship. He disbanded the presidential terms for him to rule indefinitely. Yoweri Museveni is one of the key US operatives in Africa and he doesn´t even care to hide it. When the ICC came out with Omar al Bashir´s indictment, he was the first to come out and express his intention to put President Bashir in jail while the rest of Africa unanimously denounced the process and stood by Bashir. The irony is Uganda and Sudan share common borders. Sudan is a huge country with untapped potential that could create opportunities for Ugandans. Instead, Museveni chose to aggravate the situation instead of inviting cooperation between the two countries.

It is evident Yoweri Museveni cannot keep peace and stability in his own country but at on behalf of his masters, he sent Ugandan forces into Somalia as peace keeping forces with disastrous results. Ugandan troops are mowing civilian populations from behind their barracks in Mogadishu using heavy artillery. He does that because that is how he makes money. The Somalis are unfortunately surrounded by leaders that entirely depend on Western support and as a result they are suffering mightily with no one to speak on their behalf. That is why Somalia cannot free itself from perpetual misery.

The geopolitical games at play are bearing deadly consequences for the people in the Horn of Africa in particular and Africa in general. The conflicts are widening and the international actors are desperate to assume full control using any means at their disposal. They use political, economic and military pressure to achieve their objectives. They are imposing leaders on the people of Africa and the weaker the leader the easier for them to control, exploit and impose their will. Therefore the main idea is to place a “leadership core” however possible. That is the West´s modus operandi. This means, third world nations will not be allowed the opportunity to create their indigenous governance policies. Instead, they will be subjected to leaders imposed by the West in contradiction to their own history which allowed them go through political strife to establish systems of their choice as in the case of the American Civil War. During the French revolution the US deliberately remained neutral.

The problem with this approach is that it is impossible to achieve. It is a fool´s dream certain to create human calamity much worse than the holocaust. It´s already created tremendous loss of life and resources with dire ramification for future generations. It is certain to fail for many reasons:

Firstly, the problems are overlapping and the issues interlock creating chains across borders and throughout the region. Unlike the Middle East, the situation and actors in the Greater Horn region remains unsettled. It is impossible for any imposed leader to be effective because of the complicated ethnic makeup of the region. Kenya and Ethiopia have Oromo ethnic population, Ethiopia and Somalia share Ogaden while Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia share the Afar and/or Issas´ and on and on. These overlap is multiplied across borders throughout the entire region. Many of these nationalities are fighting for some form of recognition, and in some cases they are fighting for total independence as in the case of the Ogaden. There are border issues, ungovernable and ungoverned areas. There are regions that claim to be independent and operate independently as in the case of Somaliland and Puntland.

These countries have competing economic and geopolitical interests making it impossible to create harmonious trading and political partnerships. For example: Ethiopia depends on Djibouti to access the sea. Djibouti needs Ethiopia because Ethiopia is the main source of income. Therefore, the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia serves Djibouti well because if Ethiopia utilizes much bigger ports in Eritrea Port Djibouti will be out of service. Moreover, the situation in the region is complicated by competing security interests, suspicion and history based-on-bloodshed.

Secondly, some international actors have always played and continue to play negative roles. All the problems in Somalia are byproducts of colonial and cold war legacies. And unfortunately, Somalia and the region are beset by foreigners with means and resources determined to their own interest at any cost to the detriment of the lives of the people.

At the height of the Bush era war-of-terror, Chinese oil explorers were killed in the Ogaden while under the protection and guidance of Ethiopian army. US oil companies´ have had licenses to explore oil in the Ogaden since 1945. The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) is claiming to have controlled sizeable territories from Ethiopian forces, which is a major development! While at the same time, the US operatives like David Shinn, in a complete change of tone, is accusing Ethiopia of human rights violation in the Ogaden. This is taking place in the backdrop of what is taking place in Somalia, a country that once claimed Ogaden as her own and went to war for it in 1976-1978. Consecutively, the US is trying to assert control in Somalia by putting in place a transitional government hatched by the failed diplomat Dr. Jendayie Frazer in Djibouti at the waning hours of the Bush Administration. Furthermore, in the same period, to satisfy foreign interest, Djibouti started unprovoked conflict against Eritrea and on and on…

Thirdly, the leaders in the region are susceptible to the very conflicts hatched by the West. Since they are surrogates and dependent on Western direct support, they have to parrot any agenda being pushed. It is to be recalled Dr. Jendayie Frazer threatened to place Eritrea on the List of States that Sponsor Terror. To satisfy Dr. Frazer, from the offices of African Union in Addis Ababa, the surrogates led by Meles Zenawi went on full gear to blame Eritrea for the problems plaguing Somalia. The Irony is these countries are key-parties to the conflict in Somalia.

Fast Forward
Uganda is a TEMPORARY member of the Security Council. And instead of using that time on a useful agenda that can foster development in the region and Africa they are using it to undercut and weaken Eritrea. Uganda is circulating a draft resolution at the UNSC to slap sanctions on Eritrea for alleged support of Al Shabab. These are Somalis fighting to rid Somalia from outside forces like the Ugandan-army responsible for the death of thousands of Somalis.

The regional organization that sponsored the draft includes Kenya a country that is admittedly arming and training Somalis. Djibouti is a country that has turned into a Trojan-horse for the region and has become a major nuisance at the behest of US and France. Somalia; the transitional government is a government in exile with no legitimacy on the ground. Ethiopia is a country at the center of the problem and responsible for the displacement and death of millions of Somalis. Meles Zenawi should be put in jailed for crimes against humanity he committed in Somalia, Ogaden and other places in the region.

The question here is who gave Ethiopia the right to invade and occupy a sovereign nation against UN resolutions with impunity and without consequences at the cost of millions of Somali lives displaced, dead and wounded. Who is the international arbiter to decide who is guilty? Why not sanction Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya for arming, training Somalia flouting international law? Why is the US exonerated? Is the US interest more important than that of the interest of the people in the region? Who makes the US above the law? Does it mean that a Superpower can use international law and mechanism to punish others and accord themselves immunity from justice regardless of the crimes? What does this mean for the future of the region? Do the people in the region have to be subjected to hardship that surpasses the holocaust in volume and impact until US interests are fulfilled? How is justice going to be served on the true crime that is being committed by Museveni? The questions are endless.

What this shows is a broken international system and, if allowed to continue, it can threaten international stability and disrupt world trade because the area is a major international waterway. And the people in the region will suffer endless conflict cycles.

The UNSC has diminished its stature by allowing its permanent members to use dictators that are unaccountable to their own people and region in order to fulfill ill conceived agendas. Yoweri Museveni is a dictator with criminal human rights and poor governance record. He is alms dependent and beset by civil strife. In other words, a criminal is playing a prosecutor for one month because of a broken international system.

This also shows the hypocrisy of the international organizations that claim to represent the interest of justice, human rights, freedom of speech and the like. Organizations like Enough Project, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters without Borders and individuals who claim to care about humanity. But what these organizations are Faucets that can be turned on and off on queue based on the interests and the whim of their respective governments. They are PR tools. They use justice as a tool in places where they can help the powers in subjugating these nations.

Conclusion
If the mercenary, Yoweri Museveni, is seeking stability in Somalia, he needs to get out of Somalia and give the Somalis a chance to solve their own problems. The money he earns for providing soldiers is not worth the destructions he is causing. Using Eritrea as a scapegoat is not going to change the situation in Somalia. Nor, will it exonerate or absolve Uganda and Ethiopia from the crimes they have committed. The Somali people have a legitimate right to cast their path and must be allowed.

As history shows all the attempts by foreign powers to control the resources in the region failed because it doesn´t belong to them. It belongs to the people and they should be allowed respite to gather their nation. The Somalis must be allowed to go through the process of re-forming their nation and become responsible international citizens capable to exploit their wealth while satisfying international appetite based on market dictates. Furthermore, it is incumbent upon all and particularly the people in the region to stand for the rights of the people of the region!

Related posts:

1. President Isaias Leaves for Uganda on Official Visit
2. Letter to President Obama About the Sanctions Against Eritrea!
3. Eritrea Condemns Denial Of Its Right To Address Security Council
4. Eritrea: Nevsun Addresses Security Council Sanctions
5. New Warning on Food Security for Horn of Africa