Imagine being terrorized by your own government, praying that you wake up to see another day and hoping that your cries are finally heard. Since the outbreak of conflict between the Ethiopian military and the Tigray People’s Liberation front (TPLF), fear, distress and trauma are what describe the air in Tigray. Thousands have lost their lives and more than two million displaced. The government ignoring their protests and calling this crisis an exaggeration just adds fuel to the fire.
The violence began on November 4 when the Ethiopian Federal forces began an assault on the Tigray region after a deadly Tigrayan attack on the Sero base and consequent take over. The resentment was caused by the Tigrayan elections being deemed invalid by the prime minister on account of obstructing reform and unfair share of power. While the government accuses the Tigrayans of treason, no excuse justifies the inhumane killings of innocent people in the region who are left with nothing but sorrow and agony.
A media blackout has worsened the situation where the outside world is not told the full story and the helpless citizens remain unheard. While many claim this to be genocide, the decision has to be taken at the International Criminal Court and thus the situation remains unclear, hindering the path of a proper intervention. While the international community urges the Ethiopian federal government to put an end to the violence in this region, the government is adamant. UN interference isn’t welcomed until now given African suspicions and the objections of China and Russia.
The hatred has led to ethnically selective purges of Tigrayans from military and government employment in additions to restrictions on their businesses, travel and accommodation. The tigrayans are left with no option but to flee to Sudan as refugees or stay in their home at the mercy of those with power over them. Furthermore, Militias from Amhara region have taken over disputed territory held by the Tigrayans for the past 30 years, worsening the situation. All this has done is fuel the anger of the locals and intensify their sentiments.
As far as possible solutions are concerned, the only ray of hope seems to be a peace treaty between Abiy’s government and TPLF that cannot be possible without clearing the allegations imposed by both sides. This cannot be likely while the government rejects talks with the ‘’rebels ‘’. The federal government working with the regional government without trying to remove the TPLF influence seems to be the only way forward if peace is to be established in the region.
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