TPLF regime

The Sudanese government issued recently a statement declaring that the TPLF regime occupied certain Sudanese lands under the pretext of chasing some forces opposing its rule. Despite the fact that the Khartoum government broke its silence lately to declare both to the world and the Sudanese people the enormity of the recent excesses of the Ethiopian regime, this is not, however, a new development or a surprise act.

The Sudanese government issued recently a statement declaring that the TPLF regime occupied certain Sudanese lands under the pretext of chasing some forces opposing its rule. Despite the fact that the Khartoum government broke its silence lately to declare both to the world and the Sudanese people the enormity of the recent excesses of the Ethiopian regime, this is not, however, a new development or a surprise act.

The Sudanese citizens residing in the areas neighboring Ethiopia have always been expressing their protest and opposition to for the usurpation of their lands by the TPLF regime, demanding the Khartoum authorities to put an end to encroachment and occupation of their land by the Ethiopian regime.

It is not the first time that the TPLF regime occupied Sudanese territories under the pretext of chasing opposition elements. This regime has become addicted to the policy of invasion and occupying neighboring countries' territories, and it did this in many areas. It is a minority racist regime suffering from the outcomes of internal civil war as well as practicing the war of racist attrition against all those Ethiopian peoples opposing its rule. The regime's objectives from these aggressions are to promote its expansionist agenda and for materializing them on the ground under the pretext of routing groups opposing its rule.

The policy adopted by the TPLF regime is a literal translation and implementation of the TPLF project of 1976 regarding the “State of Greater Tigray” extending from the areas adjacent to Gonder and the lands of Welkayit and Tsegede, in addition to parts of Sudanese territory. This is the agenda or manifesto mentioned above, though the TPLF regime is now camouflaging the whole process with the ‘justification' of chasing opposition groups.

When the TPLF regime occupied Eritrean sovereign lands in the area of Adi murug in 1997 it came out with similar acts of so called justification, i.e. chasing opposition elements. In his words, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, wrote to President Isaias Afwerki saying: “Our forces are present inside your territories with the objective of controlling the areas of the opposition forces”. This is the ‘justification' and explanation made by the regime's Prime Minister when his army occupied sovereign Eritrean territory.

Then hastily the occupiers dissolved the Eritrean administration there declaring unashamedly that the land they occupied is ‘Ethiopian land'. Under different excuses and pretexts, including chasing Ethiopian opposition groups, we are witnessing the Ethiopian regime occupying Somali territories establishing constant military garrisons there. In addition, it is occupying lands that lie in northern Somalia under the pretext of chasing fighters of the Oromo Liberation Front and ‘combating terrorism'. This is tangible evidence that the TPLF regime is indeed an expansionist one. Such irresponsible practices and policies have dimensions that go beyond this, i.e. preparations for occupying extensive Somali territories by transgressing the territorial unity of Somalia and undermining peace efforts in Somali by arming the opposition elements to fight the Provisional Government of Somalia.

Following the same expansionist orientation and practice, the TPLF regime is attempting to occupy Kenyan territories under the pretext of destroying camps of Oromo forces. For stopping, such practices, the Administration of the suburbs and villages appealed to the central Kenyan government to continue taking strong measures. The TPLF regime has not stopped at this extent, but is presently practicing violation of Djiboutian sovereignty by applying economic pressure and other arrogant postures. The TPLF regime, with a view to securing its narrow tribalist interest, is practicing the policy of divide and rule in dealing with Ethiopian nationalities to engage them in a state of civil war, thereby depriving them of security and stability.

For materializing its expansionist ambitions and prolonging its stay in power, the TPLF regime is fabricating feeble pretexts and excuses to create a state of instability and insecurity in the Horn of Africa. The peoples of the region will not enjoy stability and security while the TPLF regime continues to practice its policy of expansion and occupation of the territories of other states.

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KHARTOUM SAYS ETHIOPIAN MILITIAS RAIDED BORDERS

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Authorities in Khartoum on Sunday officially protested to the Ethiopian government that militias from that country crossed their common border in the eastern area of Fashaga, Gadareef region and caused havoc.

The government-owned Sudan Media Centre (SMC) reported Monday that the armed militias rolled into the area under the pretext of chasing a fleeing group back into Sudan.

The centre warned that Sudan will not tolerate further attacks by the fighters, and vowed to defend Sudan's borders and protect its population.

These incidents have been continuously repeated in recent years, particularly before the rainy seasons to coerce the Sudanese farmers to leave their farms situated on the common borders, the SMC charged.

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Ethiopia: Irrational Rationalization
Holding Hostage the UN, EU, AU, US and Eritrea
A Sick Nation needing to swallow the Bitter Pill to Heal.

By Dr. Tesfaldet Araya

Unheard and unseen in the annals of international diplomatic relations the current minority regime in Ethiopia is on record:
- blackmailing renowned and distinguished personalities, internationally acclaimed commissioners, and responsible organizations and states;
- defying international charters and governing provisions;
- violating, on record, international conventions and covenants;
To this end, it has been manipulating sincere or otherwise states and international organizations while destabilizing neighboring states of the Horn of Africa.
It is arrogantly and pretentiously suggesting a unilateral mechanism to create a quasi Commission to undo what has been already accomplished with finesse by the already agreed Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC);
It is scheming options to capitalize legitimate as well as illegitimate reward from the International Community in general and the Donor Nations in particular;
It is attempting to unilaterally and arbitrarily abrogate, partially or wholly the
- Algiers agreement,
- The April 2002 “final and binding” Decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission,
- Security Council Demarcation Resolution 1502, including Resolution 1507 (2003);
The minority regime in Ethiopia also remains in collision course:
1. With itself; its own agenda to secede from Ethiopia, conform to TPLF's Manifesto (revealing in itself) as manifested in the Ethiopia's Federal Constitution and thereby bringing the inevitable balkanization of Ethiopia.
2. Regionally; the current minority regime in Ethiopia is in a collision course with the neighboring countries:
  - incessant intervention in Somalia's internal affairs,
  - incidents with Kenya related to border clashes as well as theft to raping of resources,
  - incompatible in dealing rationally its National Security Interest needs and concerns with Djibouti,
  - Unrealistic double game with the Sudan and
  - The border conflict with Eritrea including its bestial behavior of digging Eritrean veterans' cemeteries and playing with human remains, and the uprooting of innocent toddlers and elderly nuns and priests based on its policy of ethnic-cleansing.
3. Internationally; above all, by defying the Security Council of the United Nations, the European Union, African Union, and the United States, the minority regime in Ethiopia is on collision course with entire world.
Hostages: the current minority regime in Ethiopia, by an irrational rationalization of its attempt to reverse the irreversible and defend the indefensible has held hostage the UN Security Council but also the UN in general, the European Union, the African Union, and the United States government. This is a futile endeavor that eventually will put the minority regime in a permanent self-induced confrontation with the International Community.

It seems the irrational rationalization of the current minority regime leadership has failed to understand the, long overdue, indifference portrayed towards Ethiopia by the International Community has ceased to exist as the present situation for real politic is sinking in. Farewell to the indifference of difference and welcome to the difference of the indifference.

The issue now is in the hands of the Security Council rather individual States and Nations or their respective low-level Foreign Ministry Offices or officers. The adventurous shuttling by the so called diplomats need to cease; the mediation is unsolicited with unwarranted protocol and endangering the natural course. It should not be entertained by and concerned authorities of responsible governments.

Ethiopia needs to learn to live on its own merit rather than on the shoulders of neighboring nations and/or the International community. Ungrateful and in most cases biting the feeding hands, as shown time and time again, sort of cursed Africa's hunchback. The UN, EU, AU and US, and particularly Eritrea can't and shall not be held hostage to Ethiopia's irrational rationalization of its defiant stance and its flagrant violation of all international conventions, all on record, as the neighboring States were subjected to for so long.

At this juncture, the Security Council, and the sister international organizations in particular need to set the warranted agenda, as stipulated in the Algiers Agreement, and the Ruling of the Border Commission, to conform to the provisions of the United Nations Charter. The Security Council of the UN, through its Resolution 1507 (2003), has already voiced its stance on the issue. It has sternly and unambiguously demanded the demarcation of the Eritrea-Ethiopia border by implementing the EEBC Decision which is “final and binding”.

Concomitantly the European Union, the African Union and the US government have to show their respective resolve. The same is true for the World Regional Organizations. In general, a rational rationalization, compatible under the auspices of international diplomacy has to take place. At this juncture International Organizations and the Security Council need to set the agenda, in conformity with the provisions of the United Nations Charter, by taking the legal recourse as warranted in its Charter invoking Chapter VII.

Diplomatically isolated, financially bankrupt and with chronic insecurity the sick nation of Ethiopia needs to swallow the bitter pill to heal and to learn to do the right thing. Nationally, Internationally, diplomatically and legally, it's appropriate for the term” staus-quo-ante”.