FILE – An Ethiopian streams a video of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaking, at an internet cafe in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nov. 26, 2020. Journalists say a government-imposed blackout in Ethiopia has made it difficult to document the fighting in Tigray.
As fighting erupted in the Ethiopian region of Tigray in early November, the northern part of the country was cut from internet, mobile phone and landline communications. Journalists say the government-imposed blackout made it virtually impossible to get accurate information about the conflict.
What do we need to know about the current situation in Ethiopia's #Tigray region? Is the war over in #Ethiopia following Abiy Ahmed's victory claims over the #TPLF? Activist and political analyst Dr. Jemal Hebeno weighs in.
Save the Children is deeply worried about lone child refugees arriving separated from their parents from Ethiopia into Sudan, as they are at risk of exploitation and abuse. Their number could be in the hundreds, the child rights organisation warned today.
So far, 139 children who were separated from their parents or caregivers have been registered at just one of several entry points along the border, Save the Children said, so the total number could be far higher. In total at least 43,000 refugees have already crossed the border from Ethiopia to Sudan so far.
Save the Children emphasises the urgent need to reunite the children with their parents or legal caregivers, and has deployed a specialist to help set up a reunification system.
Ethiopia’s prime minister was feted by the international community as a reformer and a peacemaker. Now, as the Guardian’s Jason Burke explains, he has launched a major military campaign in the north of his country that threatens the stability of the region
Just over a year ago, Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, was the toast of the international community. His peacemaking efforts with neighbouring Eritrea had been recognised with a Nobel peace prize and his domestic reforms were winning plaudits. This month, however, it is a different story.
The Guardian’s Africa correspondent Jason Burke tells Rachel Humphreys that Abiy Ahmed has launched a major military operation in the northern region of Tigray and imposed a state of emergency. He said he was responding to an attack on an army base by the region’s ruling party, the TPLF, which it has denied. On Saturday, government forces declared victory in the offensive after claiming to have entered the regional capital, Mekelle.
It’s a crisis that has deep roots in Ethiopia’s history, argues Yohannes Woldemariam, an academic specialising in the horn of Africa. He tells Rachel that with its complex mosaic of ethnic groups, Ethiopia is an extremely difficult country to run and many placed too much hope in the new prime minister.
The crisis has led to thousands of refugees moving within the Tigray region and across the Ethiopian border with Sudan. Abdullah Fadil, an aid worker with Unicef, tells Rachel that the humanitarian situation in the refugee camps is already dire.
Washington—Representatives Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Michael McCaul, the Committee’s Ranking Member, today urged Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to bring an immediate end to the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. In a letter, the lawmakers underscored deep concerns about the humanitarian crisis and destabilization caused by the hostilities.
“We will continue to support efforts to strengthen the relationship between our two countries and advocate for robust assistance to preserve democratic gains, spur economic growth, advance peace and security, and support the well-being of all Ethiopian citizens. However, the ongoing fighting and increasing internationalization of this conflict threatens these key priorities and further risks destabilizing the broader region. We stand ready to support efforts to find a peaceful and negotiated settlement to this conflict,” wrote the lawmakers.
Pompeo voices ‘grave concern’ about ongoing Tigray hostilities
By Reuters Staff
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced grave concern about ongoing hostilities in the northerly Tigray region of Ethiopia during a telephone call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Monday.
“Secretary Pompeo took note of the Government of Ethiopia’s Nov. 28 announcement of the end of major military operations, but reiterated the United States’ grave concern regarding ongoing hostilities and the risks the conflict poses,” State Department spokesman Cale Brown said, saying that Pompeo called for a “complete end” to the fighting and constructive dialogue.
Reporting By Arshad Mohammed and Tim Ahmann, Editing by Franklin Paul
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed praised his troops Monday for their victory over rebels in the northern province of Tigray. But analysts warned it could be premature to declare an end to the conflict, as rebel leaders vowed to fight on.
In our news wrap Monday, the rebel leader in Ethiopia’s Tigray region is insisting that fighting goes on even after losing his capital, and funeral services were held for the founder of Iran’s military nuclear program who was killed last week in an ambush that Iran is blaming on Israel.
UN refugee chief calls for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to allow humanitarian aid into the region
Ethiopian migrants who fled intense fighting in their homeland of Tigray, wait for their ration of food in the border reception center of Hamdiyet, in the eastern Sudanese state of Kasala, AFP
Reports of violence and abductions among Eritrean refugees in the Tigray region of Ethiopia would be a major breach of international norms if confirmed, the UN said on Sunday.
Aid groups have not been able to enter the area freely, making it difficult to verify the claims.
“We have heard reports, that are not confirmed, of violence and abductions. I hope these are not true because they would be major violations of international norms and standards in the treatment of refugees and there’s very little we can do without having access,” UN high refugee commissioner Filippo Grandi said from Khartoum.
Ethiopian migrants who fled intense fighting in their homeland of Tigray, wait for their ration of food in the border reception center of Hamdiyet, in the eastern Sudanese state of Kasala, AFP
Hundreds have died in the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and thousands more have fled. As the TPLF and Ahmed trade jabs, thousands of refugees are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Sudanese camps.
The leader of Ethiopia’s Tigray region has asked Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to withdraw troops from the region two days after Abiy declared victory.
Debretsion Gebremichael, in a phone interview with The Associated Press, said he was still near the Tigray capital, Mekele, which the Ethiopian army on Saturday said it now controlled. Far from accepting Abiy’s declaration of victory, the Tigray leader asserted that ”we are sure we’ll win.”
He also accused the Ethiopian forces of carrying out a ”genocidal campaign” against the Tigray people. With the Tigray region still cut off a month after the fighting began, no one knows how many people have been killed, and it’s difficult to verify the warring sides’ claims.
By Robbie COREY-BOULET on December 01 2020 7:01 AM
The leader of the ruling party in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region said Monday his forces were continuing to battle the national army, two days after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared the country’s internal conflict “completed”.
Debretsion Gebremichael told AFP by phone he was determined to remain in Tigray and fight “as long as these invaders are on our land,” raising the spectre of extended hostilities.
Abiy, winner of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, this month ordered military operations against Debretsion and other leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in response to what he said were TPLF-organised attacks on Ethiopian federal army camps.
Thousands have died so far and tens of thousands have fled into neighbouring Sudan.
More than three weeks of fighting between federal forces and northern Tigrayan units has left thousands dead AFP / EDUARDO SOTERAS
NAIROBI, Kenya – The fugitive leader of Ethiopia’s defiant Tigray region on Monday called on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to “stop the madness” and withdraw troops from the region, as he asserted that fighting continues “on every front” two days after Abiy declared victory.
Debretsion Gebremichael, in a phone interview with The Associated Press, accused the Ethiopian forces of carrying out a “genocidal campaign” against the Tigray people. He said he remains near the Tigray capital, Mekele, which the Ethiopian army on Saturday said it now controlled. Far from accepting Abiy’s declaration of victory, the Tigray leader asserted that “we are sure we’ll win.”
Refugees from Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Left Medications Behind
November 30, 2020
The conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region has pushed tens of thousands of people into refugee camps in Sudan, where aid groups are struggling to provide care. One Tigrayan doctor who fled the fighting has set up a clinic in Hashaba refugee camp in Al Qadarif, Sudan, from where Naba Mohiedeen reports.
Ethiopian federal forces captured the Tigrayan capital of Mekelle at the weekend, but a vow by the rebel regional government to fight on means there’s no end in sight to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
Among those most at risk are 96,000 Eritrean refugees sheltering in four camps in Tigray, cut off from desperately needed relief supplies.
“We are surrounded by war, and we can’t move,” one Eritrean refugee told The New Humanitarian from Mai-Aini camp.
Unlike most places in the region – where communications have been blacked out by the Ethiopian government – Mai-Aini, located in southern Tigray, has at least some mobile phone coverage.
Pastor Dereje Haileyesus is watching the situation unfold in his native Ethiopia with concern. Tens of thousands of refugees have fled conflict in the country to search for safety in neighbouring countries. Haileyesus would like to help these, and all, people fleeing conflict but is unable to do so. Despite his church, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Ottawa, being a Sponsorship Agreement Holder, he is unable to help.
“Personally, I’m very very sad about the situation,” Haileyesus told NCM. “Canada values all lives, even dogs and pets. But human beings [around the world] are dying.”
Brussels fears that Ethiopia’s internal conflict could spiral out of control, dragging in neighbouring countries.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Widespread conflict in Ethiopia that has driven tens of thousands of refugees from their homes, killed hundreds — possibly thousands — and dragged in neighbouring countries is prompting questions in Europe about whether to hold back tens of millions of euros in aid to the country.
On Tuesday, Europe’s crisis management commissioner Janez Lenarčič will fly to Ethiopia where he hopes to convince the country’s Peace Minister, Muferiat Kamil, to end a weeks-old blockade for international aid organizations to Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region. He will then fly to Sudan on Wednesday where he will meet Sudanese government officials before visiting refugees in Kassala and Gedarif states on Thursday. Sudan is a temporary home for approximately 45,000 refugees who have fled the conflict.
“I wish to urge the Ethiopian authorities one more time to enable full and unrestricted access of humanitarian workers and humanitarian aid to all areas affected by fighting,” Lenarčič told POLITICO on Monday, recalling that Ethiopia hosts the second largest refugee population in Africa. “I intend to raise this issue with the Ethiopian Minister for Peace whom I hope to meet in Addis Ababa en route to Sudan.”
The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown:
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today regarding the conflict in Tigray. Secretary Pompeo took note of the Government of Ethiopia’s November 28 announcement of the end of major military operations, but reiterated the United States’ grave concern regarding ongoing hostilities and the risks the conflict poses. The Secretary called for a complete end to the fighting and constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis. He stressed the willingness of the United States, the African Union envoys and other international partners to assist in dialogue and reconciliation. The Secretary underscored the importance of protecting civilians from further harm, including refugees and civilians fleeing the conflict into Sudan, and allowing international humanitarian organizations access to the Tigray region to ensure the unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance to those in need. He urged the Government of Ethiopia to ensure respect for human rights of Tigrayans and all ethnic groups. Secretary Pompeo highlighted the United States’ strong partnership with Ethiopia, our continued support for Ethiopia’s historic reform agenda, and the importance of Ethiopia’s role in promoting prosperity and stability on the Horn of Africa.
I spoke with Ethiopian Prime Minister @AbiyAhmedAli today and urged a complete end to the fighting in Tigray, a start to dialogue, and free, safe, unhindered humanitarian access. It is essential to resolve the ongoing conflict and keep Ethiopia on the path to democracy.
Nov 29, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — A few hours after the Ethiopian Prime minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, declared victory over Mekelle city, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front launched at least two new missiles into the Eritrean capital of Asmara.
Image of a past explosion in Asmara, Eritrea(Photo credit: courtesy of Reuters)
According to the US embassy, there were about six explosions which exploded in Asmara at around 10.13 pm on Saturday evening.
Two Addis Ababa-based diplomats confirmed that multiple rockets fired on Saturday night appeared to have targeted Asmara’s airport and military installations although it remains to be verified where they landed and what damage they might have caused.
Hirut Zemene, Ethopia’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU
The EU has expressed deep concerns about the situation in the Tigray region in Ethiopia and called on the central government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a former member of the government coalition, to end the hostilities there and return to dialogue on a peaceful solution.
Aid agency says 80% of patients at a hospital in Tigray’s capital of Mekelle are suffering from trauma injuries.
Monday 30 November 2020 01:45, UK
Image:Refugees are seen at the Um-Rakoba camp, on the Sudan-Ethiopia border, in the Al-Qadarif state of Sudan
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said vital supplies that health workers need “to carry out life-saving work” are running low in the capital of the Ethiopian region of Tigray.
Debretsion Gebremichael, the leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, said on Sunday (Monday AEDT), that his forces had regained control of Axum, a city the federal army took a week ago. They also shot down a MiG-23 aircraft and had its pilot in custody, he said by text message.
A Tigrayan woman who fled the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, weeps after Sunday Mass ends at a church, near Umm Rakouba refugee camp in Qadarif, eastern Sudan.CREDIT:AP
“The Prime Minister said yesterday their mission is complete, but he was caught today bombing Tigray,” Debretsion said. “We’ll take back all towns based on our plan. The initiative is ours now.”
TPLF leader says his forces shot down plane and retook a key town a day after Ethiopia declared an end to Tigray offensive.
30 Nov 2020
Rebel forces from Ethiopia’s Tigray region claimed they shot down a military plane and retook a town from federal forces on Sunday, a day after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared victory in the northern region.
Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), told the Reuters news agency in a text message that his forces also captured the pilot of the military plane.
Press Freedom Journalists Struggle Through Information Blackout in Ethiopia By Salem Solomon December 01, 2020 09:48 PM FILE – An Ethiopian streams a video of Prime…
