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Alastair Thompson Profile picture
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6 Aug, 4 tweets, 1 min read
The MFA statements appear to have been prepared and issued before news of this latest massacre emerged from what I can now see. The first statement was three hours ago and the latest one about Lalibela 2 hours ago.
This thread contains three statements concerning the re-evaluation of the unilateral ceasefire.
The final sentence in the first Statement.
“The GoE is being pushed to mobilise and deploy the entire defensive capability of the state it its humanitarian overtures for a peaceful resolution of the conflict remain unreciprocated.”
CORRECTION: The MFA statements appear to have been prepared and issued before news of this latest massacre emerged from what I can now see. The first statement was three hours ago and the latest one about Lalibela 2 hours ago.

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Alastair Thompson Profile picture
6 Aug
This is the kind of provocation that could result in a resumption of full scale war. If true (and no reason to doubt it ATM) its likely this is what the TPLF wants, especially off the back of the Lalibela attack.
am.al-ain.com/article/tplf-a…
And this is surely enough to bring condemnations from @PowerUSAID @SecBlinken (@StateDeptSpox) & @JosepBorrellF (@eu_eeas).

Accompanied by demands for the TPLF to immediately withdraw to Tigray and sanctions.
@PowerUSAID @SecBlinken @StateDeptSpox @JosepBorrellF @eu_eeas TPLF funding needs to be seized and it ought to be declared a terrorist organisation with all the related consequences. Maybe this will be enough to force them to accept the ceasefire and negotiate.

IC calls so far, to the extent there are some, are clearly not working.
Read 5 tweets
Alastair Thompson Profile picture
6 Aug
In yesterday's briefing @StateDeptSpox made it clear that the U.S. has returned to the position announced a week ago today (and seemingly briefly amended August 3rd) calling for a TPLF ceasefire with no preconditions.
It is not entirely clear why the statement made on August 3rd changed, whether it was intentional or perhaps a crossing of wires. However it was definitely very unfortunate diplomatically and distressing to the people of Ethiopia.
Here is @StateDeptSpox's video statement which coincided closely with @PowerUSAID's tweets, and which almost certainly contributed to her being refused a meeting with Ethiopian PM @AbiyAhmedAli, as well as the the Deputy PM and Foreign ministers.
Read 4 tweets
Alastair Thompson Profile picture
6 Aug
Unfortunately @PowerUSAID @SamanthaJPower appears to have learned absolutely nothing from her visit. This interview with NPR is self-regarding and childish.

This IV undermines an positivity from her somewhat conciliatory remarks at her press conference in Addis.
The delegation of responsibility for diplomacy over the #HornOfAfrica made to the @USAID agency needs to be revoked. The @StateDept will struggle to disentangle @PowerUSAID's ego from this conflict if she remains in any manner associated with it.
The U.S Govt. needs to now make a bold step if there is to be any hope of restoring any order to the #HornOfAfrica. At this stage it is unclear that they wish to do so, and inside Ethiopia their credibility has been deeply undermined by @PowerUSAID's visit.
Read 14 tweets
Alastair Thompson Profile picture
5 Aug
It appears that @PowerUSAID heard the request from Addis media (e.g. @GetachewSS) to hold a press conference and the transcript has now been published.

It is revealing in interesting ways and a lot more diplomatic than her recent tweets/videos.
usaid.gov/news-informati…
Some initial thoughts:
- She stays within her role as Secretary of @USAID, focusing on humanitarian issues.
- She warns about dangerous rhetoric without being offensive.
- She says she expects to meet with @AbiyAhmedAli soon.
- She refers to HoA envoy Jeffrey Feltman.
She took four questions. All of which addressed the TPLF directly.

In her answers she is more critical of the TPLF than she has been previously, and that is what this thread will focus on.

She was not asked about and does not mention the alleged #HumeraMassacre
Read 46 tweets
Alastair Thompson Profile picture
5 Aug
I will comment. This follows similar sane and sensible remarks on this issue from the former Trump @StateDept Undersecretary for African Affairs, who succeeded @USAmbUN in the role.
Which I see are in @BlenMamoDT’s replies here.
That said the Trump Admin. played a massive part in bringing this catastrophe about by:
1. Tipping the scales in #GERD filling negs. (2019-20)
2. Sanctioning Ethiopia over #GERD filling. (Aug 20)
3. Trump green-lighting Egyptian military belligerence over #GERD. (Oct 20.)
Read 5 tweets
Alastair Thompson Profile picture
4 Aug
So @PowerUSAID missed out on a meeting with @AbiyAhmedAli in the end. She flew in late at night, and it’s not clear who she did meet. But in the annals of diplomatic snubs this one is pretty epic.
Her diplomatic failure is already being compared to an incident in the same region involving Sudan Rice which some think led to the war between Eritrea claiming an additional 100,000 lives.
. @SamanthaJPower had been expected in Addis Ababa on Monday or Tuesday. Instead she spent her visit in Sudan heaping praise on the not yet elected govt. before flying in to Addis late at night to avoid protests. Her visit was always scheduled to end today.
Read 13 tweets

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