Since coming into power in 2018, @AbiyAhmedAli has manipulated the media, the international community and Ethiopians into perceiving his actions will be democratic and progressive. In reality, all of his "reforms" have been reversed or used to centralize his authoritarian rule.
Ethiopia under Abiy has taken a sharp turn to authoritarianism, with countless political prisoners, media and free speech repression, gross human rights violations, and the escalation and commencement of multiple conflicts and wars, including the genocidal war in Tigray.
Abiy has manipulated the elections in order to stay in power as he continues to hide behind a reformist agenda--all the while leading the genocide and human rights violations in Tigray and other parts of Ethiopia.
Abiy's relationship with Eritrea’s dictator Isaias dashed any possibility or hope that might have existed for democratic reform in Ethiopia. It is now clear that the “peace deal,” for which Abiy won a @NobelPrize, was a war pact against the people of Tigray + their leaders.
During the current war in Tigray, Abiy’s government has near totalitarian control of the media. Domestic reporters do not dare report anything that is happening in Tigray. Those who try are detained, harassed, and/or killed.
After two years in power, on January 2, 2020, Abiy's administration adopted a new anti-terrorism law with minor modifications from the previously criticized version. In some ways, the new law is worse than the previous one.
Human rights violations in Tigray, Oromia, and Benishangul Gumuz continue to be carried out by Abiy Ahmed and his administration.
Although the security crisis in Ethiopia has worsened since December 2018 + the Covid-19 situation is the worst it has been, the Ethiopian government changed its stance and decided to hold elections earlier this week, with much of its political opposition imprisoned and censored.
Abiy has rejected international pressure for dialogue despite his “peacemaker” image.
No "reformer" would declare a genocidal war on its own citizens. No "reformer" would also invite foreign forces to terrorize, loot, kill, and rape its citizens.
Almost 8 months into #TigrayGenocide, we continue to call on world leaders to urgently take action and protect millions.
Additional resources below.
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As Jan. 2022 draws to a close, we focus on the #Irob minority of #Tigray. Jan. 7 was the 1️⃣ year anniversary of the #IrobMassacre by 🇪🇷 forces in which at least 72 people were killed as they celebrated Christmas.
More on the massacre while under 🇪🇷 occupation since Nov. 2020👇🏾
Without electricity, telecommunication services, the internet & access to most of the district, Irob remains largely cut off from the rest of the world. But we know the #Irob continue to face an existential threat under #Eritrea|n occupation. #IrobMassacre#AllowAccessToTigray
We honor all the victims of the #IrobMassacre, known and yet to be accounted for. We also honor and remember those who were kidnapped during #Eritrea’s last occupation of #Irob (1998-2000) who are never forgotten.
Tigrayan nonprofits and community-based organizations within the global diaspora collectively condemn the Ethiopian federal government's illegitimate temporary ceasefire and framing of this action as a humanitarian gesture.
The Ethiopian government's history of deceptiveness, continued use of weaponized starvation, apparent mobilization of fighter jets, and lack of a withdrawal of Amhara and Eritrean forces proves the federal government is still an active threat to Tigray.
Ethiopia is guilty of long denying humanitarian aid to Tigrayans and is now using their forced retreat from the capital under the false pretext of genuine concern for the safety of Tigrayans. This ceasefire is a ploy to save their reputation while regrouping for another attack.
For months, we have been raising the alarm on UNHCR’s lack of action in protecting + providing aid for Tigrayan refugees. We’ve heard reports of human trafficking, refugees eating once a day + lack of support for shelter destroyed by flooding. @Refugees
“The alleged lack of services [by @Refugees] has left camp residents at risk of trafficking, armed recruitment, and sexual violence, which describes the situation as at a stage where “the safety, security and dignity of refugees is at severe risk, + lives may be lost.”
An aid official described efforts to protect refugees as “really, really, really dire”.
“Faced with homelessness after recent storms, the official said, women, especially single mothers, have resorted to sex work to obtain shelter or earn cash.” @Refugees@endrapeinwar@UN_Women
Following the military defeat of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the Ethiopian federal government is working with Amhara and Eritrean forces to continue waging genocide on Tigrayan civilians in Tigray and across Ethiopia. #TigrayCantWait
Tigrayans in Ethiopia continue to lose their jobs, have their homes raided + face harassment due to their ethnicity.
In areas of Tigray not controlled by TDF, Tigrayans continue to be rounded up + moved to concentration camps in undisclosed locations, or to be massacred.
1.4M+ children in Tigray have not been to school for over a year as Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Amhara forces have used educational institutions as a base for military operations.
These forces have also looted books, computers + other resources and destroyed these institutions.
Educational institutions are considered “soft targets” since they are easy to attack and there is the potential for forces to inflict mass casualties.
Targeting children by destroying educational institutions thereby destroys the hope, ambitions + future of an entire community.
Almost 5,000 Tigrayan children have been separated from their parents and are facing challenges in obtaining basic needs such as food, sanitation, shelter, and education.
The Ministry of Education estimates that up to 25% of schools in the region are damaged.
In the past 24 hrs, Tigray Defense Forces took back Mekelle + the elected Govt of Tigray has been re-instated. Civilian targeting increases after invading forces face huge losses in the war.
Join us as we call for action to protect the people of Tigray.
The Ethiopian and Eritrean armies, along with Amhara militias have consistently brutally targeted civilians as part of their strategy during the ongoing genocidal war on Tigray. #CiviliansAreNotTargets
Tigrayan civilians are being directly attacked by Ethiopian, Eritrean and Amhara forces via:
- Retaliatory massacres
- Extrajudicial killings
- Indiscriminate shelling
- Weaponized rape
- Murdering aid workers to prevent medical and food support
- Use of illegal chemical weapons