Recently, the Ethiopian government declared unilateral truce in relation to the conflict in the northern part of the country. According to the statement by FDRE Communication Service, “The government of Ethiopia hopes that this truce will substantially improve the humanitarian situation on the ground and pave the way for the resolution of the conflict in northern Ethiopia without further bloodshed”.
The terrorist groups in a statement expressed to have reciprocated the truce; but it should not be a sham one. The group’s fighters must withdraw from places they occupied in Afar. It is to be recalled that the force opened war at the only humanitarian corridor, Abala, that truly showed the group’s irresponsibleness towards the people of Tigray.
It is essential to recall that the Ethiopian government had declared a unilateral humanitarian ceasefire and had evacuated its troops from the region in June 2021 to give way for the delivery of food and non-food items to Tigray people. The measure was also aimed at giving chance to the people to analyze the situation and value peace.
The TPLF group, however, manipulated the opportunity to fulfill its ill interest and escalated invasion to the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar that resulted in humanitarian crisis and property destruction. With its invasion, the terrorist group had taken the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire as a “sick joke”.
Doing so, it committed mass killings, rape on women ranging from teenagers to older ones including nuns. It also looted and destroyed public and private properties such as schools and health facilities.
It also had forced thousands of Tigrians including youths and children to be its cannon fodder. Consequently, many mothers in Tigray are left childless; children become orphans and women become widows. Above all, humanitarian blockage imposed by the group has brought unprecedented consequences, and citizens from Tigray have trekked long distance into Amhara region to save their lives.
The recent unilateral truce by the Ethiopian government is once again to facilitate conditions for the people so that humanitarian delivery would get into the region unimpededly.
This decision of the government vividly manifests its unwavering stance and commitment in honoring humanity. That’s why it fetched recognition and support from different governments and international organizations like the UN. The recognition thus, must be backed by humanitarian aids as there are millions of people in the country who need emergency help. Though doing its level best, the Ethiopian government cannot carry the burden alone.
TPLF has starved the people of Tigray. The group killed, rapped and looted the people of Amhara and Afar and attempted to leave a protracted impact on both people. Regarding the latter, the terrorist group killed animals used for husbandry in Amhara, burred its dead in the fields and private homes deliberately to economically debilitate the people. Culturally, people never harvest at places if once used a burial areas. For a farming community, improvement in livelihood includes owning houses roofed with corrugated metal. Communities usually live in thatch-roof houses. The group set fire on the latter and bury bodies in the former so that farmers would never use the house.
Some who are misinformed and others that are after personal benefits are emboldening the group’s brutality. Of course, most US senators and representatives are getting the true picture of the group. It is high time to keenly consider the government’s responsible steps, and put pressure on the egregious TPLF.
The March 26/2022
