Tadesse Walle, (PhD)
Agust 16, 2021
Synopsis: The American regime is de facto losing the war against Taliban that unleashes terror in the name of Islam, determined to take state power; in the meantime, the Biden Government, supports terrorist TPLF and its ethnic myth that continues disseminating terror, havoc to undo ancient and historical Ethiopia, the home of over one hundred million people. It’s contended that this double standard and duplicity is not what the world community needs and is utterly incompatible with the American value, resolve, and assumptions of the American great nation. The American stunning achievements , liberal values , achieved by American hardworking people, critical thinkers, credible politicians, forget Trump, are now being eroded by the Biden Government, that miserably failed to grasp that terror has no identity: the Ethiopian variant terrorists (TPLF), axis of ethno-centric dogma must have been treated in the same way as Taliban and/ or Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network but not on equal footing with the Ethiopian legitimate government: the sanction on both parties is one, but the devil is on the details – the various missions of the US administration whether special envoy Jeffrey Feltman or any staffs from the Whitehouse to Ethiopia is just part of this jigsaw: restoring TPLF to power, regime change in the name of reconciliation with insurrectionists.
History recognizes, on 11 September 2001, radicals associated with Islamic extremist groups, hijacked planes, and carried out horrendous terrorist attacks against targets in the USA namely, the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City, Washington, and Pennsylvania. It has been reported, thousands were killed, injured and the terror unleashed against innocent civilians was horrendous. This malicious intent was orchestrated to hit America and American interests on its soil, but it ended up being an international terror- terror against humanity, that galvanised the entire world for the common good.
Osama bin Laden was then quoted” …we calculated in advance the number of casualties, from the enemy, who would be killed based on the position of the tower…. I was the most optimistic of them all…due to my experience in this field” [US. Dept of State, ARCHIVE].
This triggered the USA and its coalition forces taking combating actions against Al Qaeda and its terrorist networks. This was a war against terrorists who were determined to sow chaos and terror in all forms.
Following this horrendous crime committed against humanity, western democracy and civility; America began to give the devil its due, justifiably so, by stating, “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These Acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve” George W. Bush,2001.
This horrific crime committed against humanity had not only tested the American resolve but the international community at large including Ethiopia. Such atrocious acts did not take time to spur most national states including NATO, in forming an unprecedented coalition against terrorism; in fact, NATO had invoked its collective defence clause (Article 5) for the first time in history in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States, pledging to undertake all efforts to combat terrorism. In this war against terrorism, Ethiopia has been classified as an “important ally in combating terrorism” [United States, Institute of Peace, Special Report, 2004] and has been fighting against Al-Shabaab, one of the crudest forms of terrorism to date.
America with its coalition forces, led the war on terrorism, rightly so, went on as far as the extraordinary complex caves of Tora Bora in Afghanistan, hunting down Osama bin Laden the Saudi fugitive and his terrorist network. The perpetrator of terror, who masterminded the onslaught of 11/09 was killed on 2 May 2011 at Abbottabad in Pakistan (under ex-president Obama) by American soldiers, however, TERRORISM still manifests itself in various forms such as ISIL, Boko Haram, Taliban, Al – Shabab …including the Ethiopian variant known as terrorist TPLF and its cronies. Global Terrorism Database recognised TPLF as a terrorist organisation since the 1970s.
This labelling of TPLF as a terrorist organisation has nothing to do with ordinary Tigrayans and the people of Tigray, forget those that commit terror with undue influence and under duress. Ethiopian’s sympathy and support for ordinary Tigrayans is irrefutable.
The Ethiopian variant – terrorism, initiated, hatched, executed by TPLF.
My recent article reads, ” The an unfathomable ethnic driven insurrection in Tigray as demonstrated in Sekuture Getachew’s confession of appalling pre-emptive strike, the so called 45-minutes light-speed annihilation and bravado against Ethiopia’s honourable federal army, committing heinous crime against them, confiscation of 70 -80% Ethiopia’s artilleries, the firing of missiles and rockets from Tigray region into the Amhara region and Eritrea , TPLF’s continued terrorist activities (junta is a misnomer) including by collaborating with the Ethiopian current foreign adversaries is all driven by ethnic blindness and the craving to undo Ethiopia as a nation state. “Ditch the ethno-centric constitution: Ethiopia deserves better”
One would note, TPLF, the most vicious and cowardice in our present-day history, conspired, planned, slaughtered, murdered, mutilated, tortured a substantial number of soldiers from the Ethiopian federal army in Tigray region and ransacked lots of sophisticated military ammunition including missiles with a view to take the fight against the Ethiopian government. As the crime committed against the army was not enough, TPLF went on to annihilate the neighbouring AMHARA (which it regards as a strategic enemy – please refer to TPLF’s Manifesto,1976) and committed the Amhara genocide at Mai-Kadra.
This gruesome crime committed against an unarmed innocent civilian, due to their ethnic identity as an Amhara was just a continuation of the Amhara cleansing strategy since the inception of TPLF in the 1970s’; most importantly since the seizure of political power in 1991 with its satellite political groups. TPLF, hell bent in destroying Ethiopia and at the core of the political spectrum since 1991 had used violence of all forms, arrest, detention, execution and jailed opposition party affiliates, and carried out ethnic cleansing particularly against, the Amhara until 2018, where it lost the grip of power by accident.
Amnesty International re: Mai- kadra
“Soaked in blood
Amnesty International has not yet been able to confirm who was responsible for the killings but has spoken to witnesses who said forces loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) were responsible for the mass killings, apparently after they suffered defeat from the federal EDF forces.
Three people told Amnesty International that survivors of the massacre told them that they were attacked by members of Tigray Special Police Force and other TPLF members” [ Amnesty International 12 November 2020
Other reports: ECHR Re: Mai- kadra
The preliminary report finds that before retreating from the advance of the Ethiopian National Défense Forces (ENDF), the local militia and police security apparatus joined forces with members of the Samri group to carry outdoor-to-door raids and kill hundreds of people they identified as ethnic “Amharas and Wolkait origin”, by beating them with sticks, stabbing them with knives, machetes and hatchets and strangling them with ropes. They also severely injured many people and looted or destroyed properties. Based on testimony gathered so far, EHRC estimates that at least 600 civilians were killed. The death toll could be higher still as there are reports of individuals unaccounted for at the time of EHRC’s visit and bodies hidden in fields outside Maikadra.
EHRC’s Chief Commissioner Daniel Bekele said, “The unimaginably atrocious crime committed against civilians for no reason other than their ethnicity is heart-breaking” [ The EHRC’s report 24 November 2020]
These heinous crimes of ethnic cleansing, genocidal actions are unconscionable, and defy basic right to life and humanity; the Ethiopian government had no choice but to hold the Trojan horses, perpetrators – TPLF to account, face justice and keep law and order in Tigray and elsewhere in the country. But as the government’s actions of law enforcement began, the position of the American administration became at odds not only with Ethiopian’s position in this matter but with the truth itself, putting the credibility of the USA into question. By doing so the American administration showed their prejudice against victims and the innocent party: the Ethiopian federal army, the Amhara, and the Eritrean people. You will note, it was the TPLF that fired rockets on Eritrea and not the vice- versa. Though Eritrea has the right to defend itself under international law, the facts on the ground have been intentionally obscured/ distorted.
It is assumed that that the Biden Administration is not naïve in gathering information about Ethiopia, in November 2020, Assistant Secretary of State, T. Nagy, stated,” …difficult to tell motivation …they (TPLF) were doing this more to dispose the Prime Minister from power…” Yes, difficult to tell motivation for those who have inadequate reading about TPLF. The underlined motive has been to undo Ethiopia, with a view to form “greater Republic of Tigray” – the ludicrous mantra since the 1970’s and the recent Zoom Conference held for six days from 9 June 2021 that corroborates their claim for secession.
And in May 2021:
And to any body’s surprise, Blinken, Secretary of State stated,” … there are many credible reports of armed forces in Tigray committing acts of violence against civilians … The conduct of the Eritrean Défense Forces and Amhara regional forces have been particularly egregious … We equally urge the Government of Ethiopia to withdraw Amhara regional forces from the Tigray region and ensure that effective control of western Tigray is returned to the Transitional Government of Tigray.” (Press Statement, Anthony J. Blinken, May 15, 2021).
We don’t believe, Blinken or Samantha Power didn’t know the cause of the current conflict, but for the avoidance of doubt, I reiterate the fact for the record:
The on-going mayhem, conflict in the restive region of Tigray was caused (cause and effect) as the Tigray Liberation Front (TPLF), attacked the Ethiopian federal army camp on 3-4 November 2020. Thousands had succumbed in the attack, and a good size of army munitions had been confiscated, looted by TPLF forces including missiles. This was a raid and an attack within the camp of the army, orchestrated by TPLF forces against those that were not ethnic Tigrayans and those who oppose to cooperate with their sinister motives. It was not a conventional war, but scrupulously organised cowardice attack, terror carried out in night-time while the Ethiopian soldiers were in their pyjamas.
This was followed by TPLF’s missile attack against the Amhara regional state and the Eritrean state – announcing more missile attacks to follow – there are authentic, credible record for this. However, as the Ethiopian army and the Amhara militia organised themselves in an astronomical pace and took the fight to the belligerent and treacherous terrorist group but then, they faced little resistance and the TPLF had no choice but to melt into the bushes, caves, and the civilian population. The job was done in a three weeks’ time. Later, the Ethiopian army declared a unilateral ceasefire to lax the humanitarian access and to give time for the people of Tigray to reflect on the matter: was this essential? Many disagree for reasons, but this action taken by the Ethiopian regime has exposed TPLF’s continued arrogance, political naivety, and recklessness for the people of Tigray.
TPLF used the opportune moment to recruit, train more civilians including children and take the fight to the Ethiopian people, particularly to the Amhara regional state and Afar. As we write, TPLF has chosen to continue fighting, displace citizens, murder at will, sow chaos, destruction and instigate humanitarian crisis. Surely, knowing TPLF, judging by its own record, it was naïve and trying to square the circle for TPLF to join the ceasefire.
The argument: intervention is illegal, unlawful.
The matter is an internal one. Ethiopia maintains the Security Council’s recent position of non-interference; credit goes where credit is due. It’s an Ethiopian issue – Terrorists remain Ethiopians though perilous and committed treasonous acts. Tigray remains part of Ethiopia. It’s the Ethiopian regime and the Ethiopian Courts that should cope with the matter, though one cannot not rule out international laws. As matters stand now, and on the facts, the Biden Administration has nothing to do with the Ethiopian domestic /internal affairs. It’s absolutely intrusive.
Humanitarian crisis unleashed by TPLF and TPLF alone should be understood and not be a pretext for intervention. Ethiopians would care for civilians in Tigray and that any ordinary Tigrayan in the streets of Axum would endorse. Ethiopia’s sovereignty is protected under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and the right to engage in self defence against an armed attack under Article 51 of the UN charter is implied. Biden has no case to interfere, unless the characters of the Animal farm are assumed and/ or that it is “absolute power corrupts absolutely?”
The Ethiopian regime intends to keep law and order like any civilised nation against terrorism, secure perpetual peace, security and protect human rights. The law of the land (Ethiopian) should and must be enforced to the detriment of terrorists and their cronies. The Tigray people and Ethiopians at large deserve better, not succumb to terrorist actions. The argument is this – Taliban’s Islamic myth is as bad as TPLF’s ethnic myth – as derived from Nazi’s “blood and soil” dogma. You must be aware of the Mai-kadra Amhara genocide and the recent, July-August 2021 , massacre of over 300 civilians including children and the displacement of over 300,000 Ethiopian in Afar and Amhara regions.
The American’s want of intervention and or/ sanction against Ethiopia in the exiting scenario is not only unlawful but amounts to an abuse of power and is manifestly unfair. America would know their intervention in Asia, Africa and in countries such as in Libya, Syria, Afghanistan… have been counterproductive.
The narratives for “national dialogue”, “transitional government” with a view to facilitate concealed “Yugoslavia like breakup.” is not what Ethiopians are for: the DNA of Ethiopians is all about unity and integrity except for the Trojan horses.
The Basma analogy ( C2FC) is tantamount to failure , it’s only in the best interest of secessionist forces, Ethiopians would fight that tooth to nail.
The American regime would note the crimes committed by Al Qaida and TPLF are essentially the same , forget the forms of manifestation: IT IS ALL TERROR and terror has no identity. The crimes carried out on US soil on 9/11 has proven this conclusively and you cannot waive this when applying on TPLF unless you claim to have one rule for America and another for Ethiopia on this same matter. It was all cold-blooded murder, bodies mutilated, soldiers identified and targeted on the basis of their ethnic origin, tortured for days , weeks and a good number of them for months, particularly captives ; rockets fired against civilians at the Amhara region and Eritrea. If you don’t assess this as a terrorist act and amounts to terrorism, you had no logic to call Al Qaeda and others such as Taliban as terrorists.
To our dismay, when America pursued Al Qaeda, ISIL, and others for their terrorist actions it was all justifiable and amounted to terrorism, but the abhorrent terrorist actions carried out by TPLF were not even condemned by the America government, -it’s a sham , instead the Ethiopian government was pressurised to stop the war and call for a peace deal: one law for America and another for Ethiopia. Logic , reasoning and/or common sense must have prevailed. If you believe you have both, but you can do what you want to do, then, Ethiopia is not the right place for you. Ethiopia is not a country where terrorism or any form belligerence could be compromised against its sovereignty and unity: it’s past heroic actions would warrant its trojan horses ( TPLF) and foreign insurgencies.
The call for TPLF’s terrorism to be compromised, mediated, and negotiated including that of Jeffery Feldman’s ploy is a travesty of justice and amounts to conspicuous unfairness; surly that goes against the American value.
The current American government would note, Ethiopia had sacrificed its dearest sons and daughters alongside America and peace-loving EU states on the war against terrorism including in fighting Al- Shabab in Somalia, but for the just cause. Ethiopians had also spilled their blood alongside America including in the Korean war , they fought as part of the US 7th Division and some of them won a US gallantry award but for the just cause.
And to our surprise , with no legal, historical justification whatsoever, the Biden Administration called for the withdrawal of the Amhara forces from “western” Tigray and that the existing constitution of Ethiopia be maintained. This is an absolute intervention by any standard. It’s such belligerent support TPLF relies on. It is not late for the American administration to review its policy.
As of now ,the American action is a mockery of justice , one cannot envision the American admin is not aware of the Amhara cleansing strategy by TPLF in the same region for nearly 30 years and the recent ,2020, Amhara genocide at Mai-kadra. It must have been a stark reminder. This utter denial of the rights of the Amhara from its historical land appears to have been formulated and contended from known TPLF ghosts within the Biden circles or Biden’s tough love for TPLF.
It’s shocking to hear such horrible errors, if oversights, from a country where there is an abundance of credible American historians, sociologists such as Donald Levine who had written in depth, not about our history or geographical realities but about our “Wax and Gold”.
The Biden’s government attention is drawn to Americans own stunning history , supreme court case laws, judgements that holds dear, treasured the American value: the value we share.
History recognises, secession was advanced as the southern rebels, took the fight against the Union (in our case: the northern rebels – TPLF ) where 11 Southern states each declared secession from the United States, and joined together to form the Confederate States of America. This faction failed in 1865 with the defeat of Confederate forces by Union armies in the American Civil War ( underlined for emphasis).
“When Southern rebels bombarded Fort Sumter in South Carolina in April 1861, it was the start of a war between the Union and the secessionist Confederate States of America that would stretch on for four bloody years. The war took a brutal toll…” [History.COM Editors].
And the supreme court ruling :
Texas v. White, (1869), U.S. Supreme Court case in which it was held that the United States is “an indestructible union” from which no state can secede” Joe Biden would note, the war ended when the confederate forces surrendered not negotiated in 1865.
American’s civil war was well fought in keeping the territorial integrity of the USA, and as we salute the authority, of the then Supreme Court’s finding, “no state can secede” which was vital in shaping the American national identity , however complex as the Union and the Confederate States themselves were.
The Biden government would know , the current Ethiopian position against terrorist TPLF is the same as the America’s position during the Civil war cited above, though with some caveats to it. TPLF ‘s actions, terrorism , destruction of Ethiopia is untenable to the Ethiopian credo of unity and integrity. The Ethiopian nationalism cannot be reduced to ethnic nationalism, the beauty of the Amhara nationalism is that of Ethiopian nationalism. The Ethiopian credo of sovereignty and unity – nationalism , does not belong to this or that ethnic group in the country, it belongs to all , and all are together in this, except for TPLF (political entity), whose ideology has been derived from Bismarck’s “ iron and blood”
You are aware terrorism was once an official policy of Germany under Hitler, the Soviet Union under Stalin. The American role in fighting Nazi and other forms of terrorism ,has been phenomenal, however, as matters stand now, even considering its own geopolitical interest , America’s treatment of TPLF is at odds with its own history , misguided and unreasonable in the circumstance.
The writer could be contacted on tadessez@hotmail.com