TPLF’s purported statements aimed at taking a break to further aggression
Addis Ababa, September 14, 2022 (FBC) – International law requires that humanitarian aid gets delivered, and space and access is given to the delivery of humanitarian aid under any circumstances, said Ann Fits-Gerald, a Professor of International Security and Dean of Basillie School of International Affairs.
Referring to relief operation towards areas affected by conflict in northern parts of Ethiopia, the Professor said it this is very difficult to properly undertake aid delivery when an insurrectionist insurgency group is in control of the governance structure of an area to be addressed.
In an exclusive interview with Fana Broadcasting Corporate, Professor Ann Fitz-Gerald said: “The goals of the insurgency leaders are very incompatible with humanitarianism. This is why humanitarianism can easily become compromised under these circumstances.”
“It is clear for those who studied Ethiopia and the insurgency in the 1980s that same personalities have led this insurgency regime. Many similar tactics were used then as being used now and humanitarianism was being completely compromised by these insurgency tactics.”
“This is why we see aid being re-diverted to a priority given for that aid to the combatants in the combat force. Also, the governance structure that humanitarian partners have been left with in the region continues to prioritize aid and sustenance towards those fronting the fight for them.”
A number of independent reports have corroborated the fact that some unconstitutional and criminalized laws have been passed by the TPLF. Since they returned from the Tembein area in June 2021, after the declaration of unilateral ceasefire by the Government, space was given for them to come back to Mekelle, Professor Ann Fitz-Gerald said.
“So under these kinds of unconstitutional laws, humanitarianism that should prioritize the population in a very equitable distributive manner will be compromised for sure and life will be very difficult for those humanitarian partners that are required to operate under such an authoritarian regime and unconstitutional policies.”
“If we want to get the elephant out of the room and put on the table transparently, we have to recognize that this conflict in northern Ethiopia is between a democratically elected government and an aggrieved disposed lead party of a former coalition based regime. “
The continuation of fighting in my view is very unnecessary and avoidable. And I think the first thing that should that needs to happen is an official declaration and commitment to a ceasefire by both parties.
The Ethiopian government declared a unilateral ceasefire, and declared a new indefinite humanitarian truce, but it is legitimate to a democratically elected government to protect the safety and security of a country’s borders, its population and its sovereignty.
So if a rebel force is attacking a country, or terrorist acts are being committed against a country, no responsible government is going to sit by passively and watch this happen without protecting the people.
Professor Ann Fitz-Gerald explained that this ceasefire was one sided, stressing that TPLF has to be held accountable for not declaring and implementing a formal ceasefire.
The purported statement by the TPLF as they wanted to give peace a chance, and withdrew from areas occupied is not formal declaration and implementation of ceasefire, according to the Professor. “It merely gave them leverage and agility to continue building a fighting forces to continue aggressive activity and arms procurement activity towards border areas.”