The 9/3/21 @ForeignPolicy story in quoted thread, provides us with a clear moment when the UN's effort to address the conflict in Tigray went horribly wrong, in large part - it seems - because @antonioguterres followed the wrong advice.
Analysis Thread follows....
Analysis Thread follows....
https://twitter.com/althecat/status/1447147962698772480
And, on the basis of recent events, it points to the role played by specific personalities and internal power politics in the United Nations. Putting a particular spotlight on UK UN official Sir Mark Lowcock >> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Lowc… 
Sir Mark Lowcock, left the UN at an auspicious date in the history of this horrific conflict in Ethiopia
On the 19th of July:
- The 2nd GERD filling was completed ...
egyptindependent.com/ethiopia-annou…
On the 19th of July:
- The 2nd GERD filling was completed ...
egyptindependent.com/ethiopia-annou…
- The TPLF had just launched it's offensive in to the Amhara/Afar regions in a renewed effort to overthrow the Ethiopian govt.
reuters.com/world/africa/e…
reuters.com/world/africa/e…
- These TPLF's attacks, against civilians have massively worsened the conflict and humanitarian catastrophe in Northern Ethiopia. They began during the solemn Olympics Truce, & during a unilateral ceasefire by the Govt. of Ethiopia (beginning June 28th). olympics.com/ioc/news/solem…
One might have thought that these attacks would be condemned by the US, EU and the UN - but they weren't, and they continue today.
Current tensions between the GoE and the UN are in large part due to concerns the humanitarian aid-effort has actively enabled these offensives.
Current tensions between the GoE and the UN are in large part due to concerns the humanitarian aid-effort has actively enabled these offensives.
I am unaware of the timing reasons for Mark Lowcock leaving his position, but note that the leading EU official responsible for the Horn of Africa, Alex Rondos, also left his position around this time, completing his term as Horn of Africa Envoy on June 30th.
In the wake of the expulsion of seven UN officials on September 29th, leading to @antonioguterres issuing a statement expressing shock, and then last week to a UNSC meeting, Sir Mark Lowcock has resurfaced.
Sir Mark penned an undiplomatic op-ed which, given what we now know, may well have been intended to get out ahead of possible criticism for his advice/leadership early in the crisis.cgdev.org/blog/how-destr…
Thread here >>
Thread here >>
https://twitter.com/althecat/status/1446048393298599938
On the same day Sir Mark also appeared on a PBS broadcast [with @JudyWoodruff & @nickschifrin] last Wednesday (the day of the UNSC meeting) pbs.org/newshour/show/…
The PBS report unfortunate, in addition to Lowcock it features an IV with Mulugeta Gebrehiwot of Alex de Waal's @WorldPeaceFdtn, a writer who has joined the TPLF rebels in Tigray.
Earlier @PBS reports incl. this one from Aug. 4th are also deeply flawed.
Earlier @PBS reports incl. this one from Aug. 4th are also deeply flawed.
https://twitter.com/althecat/status/1423019491622064136?s=20
During research for the Aug. 4th report, PBS's @AliRogin discussed the conflict with known TPLF misinformation operatives, and even after being informed she was being lied to, put their information in the script.
https://twitter.com/althecat/status/1423026020748300291?s=20
@AliRogin Meanwhile the latest PBS report fails to mention the admissions by the UN that 400+ UN Aid Trucks sent to Tigray have failed to return. Which is a key reason behind the failure to deliver aid.
@AliRogin Returning to Sir Mark Lowcock's interview on PBS.
As in his op-ed for "The Center for Global Development", Sir Mark appears reluctant to let the facts of where this conflict is now at get in the way of a fierce defense of his personal reputation.
As in his op-ed for "The Center for Global Development", Sir Mark appears reluctant to let the facts of where this conflict is now at get in the way of a fierce defense of his personal reputation.
@AliRogin He begins repeating his the standard lines, GoE is starving people of Tigray.
He is then asked by @nickschifrin:
"The Ethiopian government accuses Tigrayan forces of blocking aid and committing abuses in neighboring regions. Are either of those claims true?"
He is then asked by @nickschifrin:
"The Ethiopian government accuses Tigrayan forces of blocking aid and committing abuses in neighboring regions. Are either of those claims true?"
To which Sir Mark replies: "One of the things that needs to happen is, the Tigrayans do need to pull back from some of the advanced positions they have taken up.
But it is not true that the Tigrayans are trying to block aid."
But it is not true that the Tigrayans are trying to block aid."
Four slow-ball questions follow.
@PBS's @nickschifrin should have maintained his question line and asked about the missing trucks - and widely reported TPLF attrocities. But he didn't.
@PBS's @nickschifrin should have maintained his question line and asked about the missing trucks - and widely reported TPLF attrocities. But he didn't.
Given Sir Mark Lowcock seems to be keen to do interviews on the subject, it might be a good opportunity for @stephensackur of @BBCHARDtalk to have him on.
Another #UNEthiopiaCrisis story being missed concerns internal allegations from UN staff about the humanitarian operations.
Readers/Media should see @jeffpropulsion's 2 pieces on this. The first relates to operations under Mark Lowcock's leadership.
1. jeffpearce.medium.com/ethiopia-the-u…
Readers/Media should see @jeffpropulsion's 2 pieces on this. The first relates to operations under Mark Lowcock's leadership.
1. jeffpearce.medium.com/ethiopia-the-u…
@jeffpropulsion 2. The second is much more recent and pertains to an October 2nd internal UN email from an official working in the Tigray region, which raises extremely serious questions about the operation as of right now. jeffpearce.medium.com/the-un-literal…
@jeffpropulsion /ENDS
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