Ethiopian Embassy full statement

The Canberra Ethiopian Embassy's full statement in response to SBS Dateline's story on the impact of the conflict in Tigray on diaspora in Australia.

Source: Google maps

 

• The conflict in the Tigray region was begun as TPLF attacked the Ethiopian national defence force long based in the region in a foiled attempt to seize power by destabilizing the whole nation. Attacking the Northern Command where the nation’s largest weapons depot was stationed and mercilessly killing and kidnapping members of the ENDF has necessitated the federal government into a military engagement to restore rule of law in the region. Following the attack on the Northern Command, the TPLF fired rockets into Bahir Dar and Gondar cities. Similarly, they fired rockets into Asmara, Eritrea thereby provoking the Eritrean government to cross Ethiopian borders and prevent further attacks and maintain its national security. Regarding the attack, the then Spokesperson and high official of TPLF openly admitted by saying “…the TPLF conducted a “pre-emptive strike” against the Ethiopian National Defense Force of Northern Command”. His speech following the heinous attack is available on the link with English subtitle: https://fb.watch/4UyA7hNSEf/ .
• The TPLF junta also intentionally destroyed public infrastructure, including roads, electric and telecommunication lines. This caused communications blackout. The Tigrayan Diaspora abroad were unable to contact their families. The federal government is spending huge money to rebuild the damaged infrastructure. Telecommunication is now restored in the region and the Diaspora members are able to get in contact with their families. Life in the region has returned to normalcy and the government is initiating plans to have a wide-range consultation with the local community to make the peace process sustainable while outlaws would have no option but to face justice.
• The Government of Ethiopia has also taken concrete steps to address human rights abuses that have occurred within the context of the conflict triggered by the TPLF. The first major human rights abuse and atrocity to be reported in this regard has been the atrocity committed in Maikadra, resulting in the death of hundreds of civilians by youth organized, enabled and assisted by the TPLF militia. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has conducted a thorough investigation of the matter and has released its preliminary findings in a report. Furthermore, the Federal Police and federal prosecutors have also conducted a criminal investigation relating to the atrocities that have been committed in Humera and Maikadra. Based on this criminal investigation in which more than 250 witnesses have given their testimony, investigators have identified around 200 suspects. Although most of the suspects have fled to Sudan, 21 suspects have been apprehended and criminal charges will be pressed against them in the coming weeks. In line with the government’s commitment to uphold rule of law and bring to account anyone who is responsible for committing such heinous crimes, federal investigators are conducting investigations in relation to other credible allegations of atrocities and serious human rights abuses in other parts of the region, including in Axum. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission is also conducting its own independent investigation in relation to such incidents and allegations in other parts of the Tigray Region including in Axum. The government is committed to bring perpetrators to justice based on the findings of the joint investigation of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN
• The Federal Government welcomes the work of international and local media to cover events and activities in the Tigray region. The government urges the international community to not be easily swayed by the propaganda campaign of the TPLF supports and their paid propogandists. TPLF supporters which are undergoing rallies are feeding a biased information to the international community.
• The Tigray region is also being led by its own interim administration. The federal government, other regional governments and the entire Ethiopian people are giving due support to the administration.
• The Federal Government of Ethiopia encourages international partners to help to rebuilding the Tigray region. The international community should support the government that still is covering 70 percent of the delivery, reaching 4.5 million people so far.
• With regard to assisting Tigrayan and Ethiopian Communities during the conflict, the Embassy is continuously providing information and regularly updating on the overall situations in the country, with a special focus on Tigray. Moreover, the Embassy is encouraging the Community to support efforts to respond to humanitarian needs of the affected people and participate in the rebuilding of the infrastructure destroyed by TPLF junta. The Embassy assures that people who have specific enquiries or who need assistance in relation to situations in Tigray are encouraged to contact the Embassy.