NEAR Jijiga, EASTERN OGADENIA, ETHIOPIA - OCTOBER 8TH: A column of ONLF rebels are leaving the hill where a weeklong standoff with Ethiopian troops finally ended, October 8th 2006 in Ethiopia.The two rebels are carrying the Most Important idem of the unit, a light machine gun and its ammo.(Photo by Jonathan Alpeyrie / Getty images)
NEAR Jijiga, EASTERN OGADENIA, ETHIOPIA - OCTOBER 8TH: A column of ONLF rebels are leaving the hill where a weeklong standoff with Ethiopian troops finally ended, October 8th 2006 in Ethiopia.The two rebels are carrying the Most Important idem of the unit, a light machine gun and its ammo.(Photo by Jonathan Alpeyrie / Getty images)About Leoul Mekon
In recent weeks, international media started to cover the escalated conflict and the bloody situation between protesters and the authoritarian regime in Ethiopia, where nearly 100 protesters have been killed according to Amnesty . Ethiopia is mainly controlled by the TPLF (Tigray People Liberation Front). Hundreds of people, including children, have been killed in the Oromiya and Amhara- regions during anti-government demonstrations, which have spread since November 2015. Still comes the gruesome pictures and movies of deceased persons and seriously injured people in the Oromiya and Amhara- regions in northern Ethiopia, especially in the cities Gonder and Bahir Dar. Today's severe political climate in the two largest regions of Ethiopia, is about to get out of control, it could potentially create a genocide.
Dangerous return agreement
Today serious political developments in Ethiopia and the regime's brutality shows us, moreover, that it is extremely dangerous to conclude or implement return appointment for Ethiopian asylum seekers who have been rejected in Norway or other European countries. It is a serious mistake to postpone asylum seekers who have some connection with opposition movements in Ethiopia for persecution and torture. The worrying situation can not be understood without understanding who had the political, economic and military power in Ethiopia in the last 25 years and how those in power have managed to maintain it throughout this period.
Today serious political developments in Ethiopia and the regime's brutality shows us, moreover, that it is extremely dangerous to conclude or implement return appointment for Ethiopian asylum seekers who have been rejected in Norway or other European countries. It is a serious mistake to postpone asylum seekers who have some connection with opposition movements in Ethiopia for persecution and torture. The worrying situation can not be understood without understanding who had the political, economic and military power in Ethiopia in the last 25 years and how those in power have managed to maintain it throughout this period.
One party has governed throughout Ethiopia since 1991
There are several reasons behind the escalating conflict in the Oromiya and Amhara regions. The Ethiopian regime came to power in 1991 after 17 years of guerrilla war against the Marxist regime. They represent the ethnic minority group from Tigray region, which represents 6 percent of the country's 85 million people. The political party TPLF (Tigray people Liberation Front), was formed primarily to fight to liberate Tigray in collaboration with "The Eritrirean People Liberation Front." As the Communist regime collapsed, grabbed TPLF opportunity to control the whole of Ethiopia. Since 1991, this party controlled throughout Ethiopia by having full control over national defense, military forces, intelligence, finance and media. This has created tremendous frustration, marginalization, exclusion and insurrection among other ethnic groups and opposition groups.
There are several reasons behind the escalating conflict in the Oromiya and Amhara regions. The Ethiopian regime came to power in 1991 after 17 years of guerrilla war against the Marxist regime. They represent the ethnic minority group from Tigray region, which represents 6 percent of the country's 85 million people. The political party TPLF (Tigray people Liberation Front), was formed primarily to fight to liberate Tigray in collaboration with "The Eritrirean People Liberation Front." As the Communist regime collapsed, grabbed TPLF opportunity to control the whole of Ethiopia. Since 1991, this party controlled throughout Ethiopia by having full control over national defense, military forces, intelligence, finance and media. This has created tremendous frustration, marginalization, exclusion and insurrection among other ethnic groups and opposition groups.
Ethnic-based policies that create conflict between different ethnic groups
TPLF has waged a strong ethnic-based policy towards the Ethiopian people and have created unnecessary conflicts between different ethnic groups."Ethnic politics" has given a tremendous opportunity to divide and conquer of the Ethiopian people by creating an "us and them" feeling, characterized by hatred, suspicion and hostility. Instead of creating unity and cooperation between different ethnic groups, the regime has deliberately promoted hostile attitudes between Amhara- and Oromo population using national media. To maintain control over the country and get legitimacy as democratic governance, the TPLF formed other parties by recruiting loyal servants from various ethnic groups (Amhara, Oromo, Afar, Somali, etc.), which is not elected. These parties do not own ideologues or independent political agenda. They were exclusively formed to be an extended arm of the parent organization TPLF and gain control over different ethnic groups and their resources.
TPLF has waged a strong ethnic-based policy towards the Ethiopian people and have created unnecessary conflicts between different ethnic groups."Ethnic politics" has given a tremendous opportunity to divide and conquer of the Ethiopian people by creating an "us and them" feeling, characterized by hatred, suspicion and hostility. Instead of creating unity and cooperation between different ethnic groups, the regime has deliberately promoted hostile attitudes between Amhara- and Oromo population using national media. To maintain control over the country and get legitimacy as democratic governance, the TPLF formed other parties by recruiting loyal servants from various ethnic groups (Amhara, Oromo, Afar, Somali, etc.), which is not elected. These parties do not own ideologues or independent political agenda. They were exclusively formed to be an extended arm of the parent organization TPLF and gain control over different ethnic groups and their resources.
Political parties that are not in line with the regime's policy agenda and interests are attacked, persecuted and branded as terrorists, anti-peace forces etc. The regime has by terror legislation closed the opportunity for opposition groups to move freely and engage in political activity. Popular political parties Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the Oromo People's Congress (OPC), Ogaden Liberation Front (ONLF) and Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJP) have been deprived of their organization and freedom of assembly and the right to stand for election. The regime has managed to sit in power by getting tough on popular opposition leaders, activists and members of opposition parties.
Journalists and editors are attacked and peoples are forcibly
In addition to the absence of democratic elections, the critical voices attacked, especially people who work in the media. According Pen International's report from 2015, the Ethiopia among the countries with the highest number of persecuted and imprisoned journalists and editors.Another important reason for the bloody conflict between the regime and the rest of the Ethiopian population is forced eviction of Oromo, Amhara people and people in Gambella from their own country, so that foreign investors or people linked to the regime should serve on it. Millions of people have ruthlessly been forcibly relocated from their land without being asked for consent or receive compensation. In the northern part of Ethiopia has the Tigre-dominated regime has taken a big garden from Amhara region and put it under the Tigray region's administration. This has resulted in a huge conflict that is about to escalate into war between Amhara- population in Gonder and the Tigre-dominated regime.
In addition to the absence of democratic elections, the critical voices attacked, especially people who work in the media. According Pen International's report from 2015, the Ethiopia among the countries with the highest number of persecuted and imprisoned journalists and editors.Another important reason for the bloody conflict between the regime and the rest of the Ethiopian population is forced eviction of Oromo, Amhara people and people in Gambella from their own country, so that foreign investors or people linked to the regime should serve on it. Millions of people have ruthlessly been forcibly relocated from their land without being asked for consent or receive compensation. In the northern part of Ethiopia has the Tigre-dominated regime has taken a big garden from Amhara region and put it under the Tigray region's administration. This has resulted in a huge conflict that is about to escalate into war between Amhara- population in Gonder and the Tigre-dominated regime.
TPLF regime has received support from the US AND EU
Mass arrests of people belonging to opposition groups, killing and the use of excessive violence against peaceful protesters are nothing new in Ethiopia. People have lived with it for the last 25 years. Although the regime's use of violence and undemocratic means have been documented again and again, did TPLF regime tremendous support from the US and EU as an important partner in "the war on terror." Obama's administration speaks clearly about the cooperation with the Ethiopian regime for safeguarding American interests. The US has so far chosen to have more focus on their own interest, than the rough repression 85 million people in Ethiopia are subjected, under an ethnic group in minority who have full control over the military. The West has forgotten, is that unilaterally supporting an armed minority, will eventually create a huge dissatisfaction among the population in an ethnically divided society. There will be protests that characterize not only Ethiopia but also the entire Horn of Africa. It is important to emphasize that the West's interest in the Horn of Africa may be best served under civic leaders and assembly than during a minority authoritarian rule.
Mass arrests of people belonging to opposition groups, killing and the use of excessive violence against peaceful protesters are nothing new in Ethiopia. People have lived with it for the last 25 years. Although the regime's use of violence and undemocratic means have been documented again and again, did TPLF regime tremendous support from the US and EU as an important partner in "the war on terror." Obama's administration speaks clearly about the cooperation with the Ethiopian regime for safeguarding American interests. The US has so far chosen to have more focus on their own interest, than the rough repression 85 million people in Ethiopia are subjected, under an ethnic group in minority who have full control over the military. The West has forgotten, is that unilaterally supporting an armed minority, will eventually create a huge dissatisfaction among the population in an ethnically divided society. There will be protests that characterize not only Ethiopia but also the entire Horn of Africa. It is important to emphasize that the West's interest in the Horn of Africa may be best served under civic leaders and assembly than during a minority authoritarian rule.
The road to genocide may be short
For the last 25 years there have been people revolt and protests in all Ethiopian regions except Tigray region, where the regime is coming from.People riots has been severely punished in Amhara, Oromo, Gambella and Ogaden by shooting demonstrators mercilessly. Those who have exercised violence are mostly loyal soldiers belonging to the Tigre tribe named "AGAZI" - force. This has already created serious hatred and a hostile attitude towards the Tigray people in addition to resistance against the regime. Many who believe that Ethiopia is ruled by "Tigray Apartheid regime", argues that it is only the other ethnic groups, not Tigray who have suffered bloody attacks in the past 25 years. It has never been popular revolt, massacre of oppositions or forced relocation of people in Tigrayregionen. This can have serious consequences when people's uprising escalates in different regions.
For the last 25 years there have been people revolt and protests in all Ethiopian regions except Tigray region, where the regime is coming from.People riots has been severely punished in Amhara, Oromo, Gambella and Ogaden by shooting demonstrators mercilessly. Those who have exercised violence are mostly loyal soldiers belonging to the Tigre tribe named "AGAZI" - force. This has already created serious hatred and a hostile attitude towards the Tigray people in addition to resistance against the regime. Many who believe that Ethiopia is ruled by "Tigray Apartheid regime", argues that it is only the other ethnic groups, not Tigray who have suffered bloody attacks in the past 25 years. It has never been popular revolt, massacre of oppositions or forced relocation of people in Tigrayregionen. This can have serious consequences when people's uprising escalates in different regions.
Today's favoritism of Tigray people in the form of privileges to education, to work and to key positions in society gives hatred and distrust of the regime and to Tigray in the other ethnic groups. Wherefore many Ethiopians, and also leader of Genocide Watch, Professor Gregory Stanton, the road to genocide can be short, if the West does not intervene and support or push for political reform in which all opposition parties have the opportunity to participate in a democratic election and form a new government that includes all parties. Problems and conflicts that have to do with the fair distribution of resources and land can be resolved best under a democratically elected government. Under a regime that determines everything using their militaries.
The regime has only managed to survive with the West's support
Ethiopia needs the West more than ever. The regime has only managed to survive with the West's support, as a partner in the "war on terror". If the US and the EU is doing its best to create democratic elections, they can prevent a possible genocide and endless civil war in Ethiopia. Ethiopia needs the West before everything is too late
Ethiopia needs the West more than ever. The regime has only managed to survive with the West's support, as a partner in the "war on terror". If the US and the EU is doing its best to create democratic elections, they can prevent a possible genocide and endless civil war in Ethiopia. Ethiopia needs the West before everything is too late
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