The Catastrophic atrocities in Tigray

 

No one has documented the catastrophic atrocities in Tigray more diligently or thoroughly than Professor Jan Nyssen. In his latest report he says “Mothers are giving birth in the streets”. This appalling man made tragedy is an international disgrace whose authors should be tried for war crimes and worse at The Hague.

May 31, 2021 | Uncategorized

The catastrophic humanitarian situation in Tigray is now (finally) making headlines in international media (section 1). Besides international reactions that become stronger (section 2), we will also give some insights into how the Tigray people are trying to resist to what Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers call “our season” (section 3). And still, the Ethiopian authorities are attempting to get away with it, using various tactics (section 4). We conclude our newsletter with a digest of press publications (many of them translated from French, Dutch or German – section 5).

Professor Nyssen’s latest summary:

Humanitarian disaster 

The humanitarian situation in Tigray is catastrophic. Besides massacres and rape that are widely used as a weapon of war, one third of the population has been chased from their residential place, what is euphemistically referred to as “IDP” (internally displaced people). Mothers are giving birth in the streets:

The FEWSNET briefing of 17 May 2021 used the following words:

 “this reduction in household access to cash income has resulted in a widespread food security Emergency in the region and has likely led to even more severe consumption gaps for worst-affected households.” This can be decoded to mean that there is not just phase 4 (Emergency) over most of the region, but also phase 5 (Famine) pockets in Tigray. There are now a large number of media reports on these dire conditions:

The Times, 31 May: Civilians killed in Tigray war identified but thousands remainNational Geographic, 28 May: A grave humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Ethiopia. ‘I never saw hell before, but now I have.’The Times, 28 May: Ethiopian hospitals trashed by soldiers as Tigray fighting escalatesUN News, 28 May: Grave concerns over ‘dire’ and deteriorating situation in war-torn Tigray regionAssociated Press, 28 May: ‘Our season’: Eritrean troops kill, rape, loot in TigrayARD Weltspiegel, 27 May: A German TV travels through a war zone: Tigray, not arriving at peace. See the half hour TV report and English summaryAFP, 27 May: Displaced Tigrayans accuse soldiers of torture, ‘murder’: documentNew York Times, 26 May: Famine Looms in Ethiopia’s War-Ravaged Tigray Region, U.N. SaysRadio France internationale, 26 May: Tigré: un massacre commis par des soldats érythréens à Goda [in French] – English translation: Tigray: a massacre committed by Eritrean soldiers in GodaThe Telegraph, 24 May: Exclusive: Ethiopians suffer horrific burns in suspected white phosphorus attacksRadio France internationale, 21 May: Au Tigré, les agriculteurs sont les premières victimes d’un conflit qui dure [in French] – English translation: In Tigray, the farmers are the first victims of a conflict that is lasting·       

  NOS, 20 May: Deur staat voor buitenwereld nog maar op een kier in Ethiopische deelstaat Tigray [in Dutch] – English translation: Door is only ajar for outside world in Ethiopian state of TigrayUN OCHA, 20 May: Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian UpdateAFP, 19 May: Ethiopian Troops Search Hospital For Enemy ‘Soldiers’: DoctorsAl Jazeera, 18 May: ‘No food for days’: Starvation stalks Tigray as war drags onAFP, 17 May: Situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray ‘horrific’: 

WHO chiefMSF, 17 May: Photostory: Reaching the forgotten communities of the Tigray crisisNCR, 17 May: Local priest: Atrocities still occurring in Ethiopia’s Tigray regionRFI, 17 May: Ethiopie : les habitants de Tuhuli, dans le Tigré, racontent l’enfer [in French] – English translation: Ethiopia: The people of Tuhuli, in Tigray, tell the story of hellEU observer, 17 May: EU: Over 5 million people risk ‘starvation’ in EthiopiaTagesspiegel, 16 May: Patriarch warnt vor „Völkermord“ in Tigray [in German]CNN, 15 May: US condemns ‘atrocities’ in Tigray and calls for those responsible to be ‘held to account’ after CNN investigationRadio France internationale, 12 May: Éthiopie: avec les déplacés du Tigré, naufragés à Mekele [in French]RFI, 10 May: Éthiopie: au Tigré, une Pâques orthodoxe entre fête, tristesse et deuil [in French] – English translation: Ethiopia: in Tigray, an Orthodox Easter between celebration, sadness and mourningARD tagesshow, 10 May: Ein Krieg, der keiner sein soll [in German], English translation: A war that shouldn’t be oneRadio France internationale, 12 May: Conflit au Tigré : pour le patriarche de Mekele «Abiy Ahmed marche dans les traces d’Issayas Afewerki» – English translation: Conflict in Tigray: for the patriarch of Mekele “Abiy Ahmed walks in the footsteps of Issayas Afewerki”

Upcoming webinar, 8 June: Voices From Tigray – Brutalities against Religious leaders, Holy Places and Heritage in Tigray

International reactions 

International reactions and pressure are becoming more important. Finally, the world is going beyond expressions of ‘serious concern’. Some key points of the U.S. senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing:

The State Department is conducting a legal review as to whether war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces. The Patriarch’s allegation of genocide is being taken seriously.The comparison with Darfur is being made. On the humanitarian issue, the comparison is with the 1984 famine in Ethiopia.The U.S. is considering utilizing the Global Magnitsky Act which would give far-reaching powers to sanction individuals. They also mentioned that they would be ready to pursue accountability to the highest level.The elections were mentioned in passing, to the effect that they would have no credibility, and that a national dialogue was needed.Concern with the regional order in the Horn of Africa (and U.S. national security) was expressed.

The video of the proceedings can be found here: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/ethiopia-in-crisis-us-strategy-and-policy-response-052721

Related media articles:

VRT, 29 May: VN waarschuwt voor dreigende hongersnood in Ethiopische regio Tigray – (UN warns of looming famine in Ethiopian region of Tigray) [in Dutch, Tigrinya and English]Bloomberg, 28 May: U.S. to Freeze Funding for Ethiopia as Tigray Abuses SurfaceReuters, 27 May: U.S. warns of further action against Ethiopia, Eritrea over TigrayBBC, 27 May: Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict: Biden demands ceasefire and end to abusesNTV, 27 May: Biden fordert Waffenruhe in Tigray [in German]White House, 26 May: Statement by President Joe Biden on the Crisis in EthiopiaCNN, 26 May: Tigrayans told, ‘We’ll see if America will save you now,’ as hundreds rounded up by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiersPolitico, 23 May: EU ‘seriously concerned’ about press rights in EthiopiaThe Guardian, 23 May: Washington toughens stance to fight atrocities in EthiopiaBloomberg, 22 May: U.S. Weighs Financial Sanctions Against Ethiopia Over Tigray WarForeign Policy, 21 May: Biden Administration Plans Visa Restrictions on Ethiopian Officials Over TigrayCNN, 21 May: US Senate passes unanimous resolution calling for withdrawal of Eritrean forces from EthiopiaUS Department of State, 19 May: Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister HaavistoToday News Africa, 19 May: Biden administration says it remains committed to solving Tigray crisis amid accusations of inactionReuters, 18 May: Moody’s downgrade over G20 common framework hits Ethiopian bonds

How Tigray resists

We communicated with friends in Mekelle. They unanimously claim is that perpetrators of the crimes against humanity are Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers. On the other hand, there is also a mix of fear and pity for the young soldiers who are dropped in Mekelle. We received some details about the ways in which people inside Tigray are trying to resist:

A colleague from Mekelle University found one of their former students among the soldiers. The soldier begged for help to escape from Tigray and from the army. People help by giving them civilian clothes. 

In common talk in Tigray, the term “ENDF” is not used anymore when talking about the Ethiopian army, they are simply named “PP soldiers”, after Abiy Ahmed’s “Prosperity Party”. The respected naming has been lost. There is no protection for civilians in the Eritrean-ENDF controlled areas… This stands in contrast with Tigray strongholds, according to friends. North of Mekelle, in Sa’isi’e, Atsbi and towards Adigrat, the TDF (Tigray Defence Forces)  have established a strong presence. In these ‘free areas’ (as some people in Mekelle call them), the rule of law has been re-established. Robberies and theft are punished, there is an authority that can handle complaints. 

From 25 to 27 May, an inter-religious “Tigray Fasting”  (twitter: #TigrayTsom) was organised all over Tigray, with people fasting and praying for peace and humanitarian solutions. Oromo political prisoners even participated in the three days long fasting that has been held by the people of Tigray. The reader may take a 26-minutes (virtual) bajaj drive through town, visit the major markets and Mekelle’s hypercentre; all shops were closed, like in a general strike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry2KDVg_AfM&t=144s

As a reaction to this large civil disobedience, the PP administration tried to forbid shops from re-opening and stopped inter-city transportation: h

Unfortunately, media do not much address this widespread resistance of the population:

Addis Standard, 26 May: Jawar et al threaten to quit hearing attendance until court decisions are respected; commence two days hunger strike in solidarity with TigrayJamestown Foundation, 24 May: Tigray Defense Forces Resist Ethiopian Army Offensive as Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethnic Militias Enter the Fray  RFI, 23 May: Éthiopie: comment les forces rebelles du Tigré organisent la résistance[in French] – English translation: Ethiopia: how the Tigray rebel forces organize resistance

Tactics to get away with crimes against humanity

As mentioned, pressure on the Ethiopian authorities in relation to these massive war crimes has increased. Hence, they have developed a whole set of diversion tactics.

Tactic 1: Denial: “it’s a very crazy idea”, “you are on the TPLF payroll”Tactic 2: Admit a small crime, say that you are doing something about it, and the World can continue closing its eyes.Tactic 3: “This is a dirty war, all are committing crimes”Tactic 4: “Human rights concerns is Western imperialism; Ethiopia is not for sale”Tactic 5: “Unfortunately, this is the price to pay”

See some articles below, which may be fitted in either of the above categories

Al Jazeera, 30 May: Ethiopians denounce US at pro-government rally in Addis AbabaThe Reporter, 29 May: The bitter fruits of Tigray war: Eritrea costing EthiopiaFox News, 26 May: Ethiopia’s Amhara ethnic group accuses Biden of ignoring atrocitiesBloomberg, 22 May 2021: Ethiopia Awards New Telecoms License to Vodafone ConsortiumReuters, 21 May 2021: Four Ethiopian soldiers convicted of crimes against civilians in TigrayPolitico, 21 May: Ethiopia expels journalist who reported on atrocities in TigrayAFP, 21 May: Ethiopia says Eritrean troops killed civilians in TigrayNew York Times, 20 May: Ethiopia Expels New York Times ReporterAddis Standard, 17 May: Ethiopia says campaign to exert “undue pressure” against it “regrettable”; push by partners to involve the TPLF in national dialogue “unacceptable”

Other articles in mediaBahir Dar news (unpublished): The road to the north is closed. The Amhara Special Forces attacked the Qemant minority group – there is fighting and houses burnt in and around Gondar (Woleqa, Qusqwam).CNN, 28 May: Hundreds of detained Tigrayans released following CNN reportRadio France internationale, 25 May: Conflit en Éthiopie: l’inquiétude des habitants d’Alamata, ville du Tigré sous contrôle Amhara [in French] The Economist, 22 May: Eritrea’s President Issaias Afwerki bids for regional greatness – But his latest gamble is riskyThe Economist, 22 May: Eritrea, Africa’s gulag state, is on the marchSudan Tribune, 22 May: Egyptian troops arrive in Sudan ahead of bilateral military drillsThe Intercept, 21 May: Propaganda Machine – Voice of America Is Accused of Ignoring Government Atrocities in EthiopiaNation.Africa, 21 May: Ethiopian doctor who fled Tigray faces deportation from KenyaCNN, 19 May: Ethiopian soldiers armed with guns and grenades raid hospital featured in CNN reportSouth China Morning Post, 18 May:  Ethiopian civil war: Hong Kong pair trek to raise funds for victims, while their neighbours with adopted son from Tigray shield him from the conflict’s horrorsTghat, 18 May: After ethnic cleansing of Tigrayans from Western Tigray, Amhara State proceeds to lease and distribute their farmlands to Amhara investorsNation.Africa, 17 May: UN, Ethiopia rights groups to launch joint probe into Tigray abusesAddis Fortune, 15 May: In the absence of inclusive, conclusive national elections

Opinion pieces

The Armenian Weekly Staff: Tigray, the Armenian Genocide and an Open Letter to Pres. BidenBob Menendez & Gregory Meeks: Ethiopia: The Biden administration must put its foot downGoitom Aregawi: Tigray: Call It Genocide, Prosecute Its Leaders and End ItAlex de Waal: It’s time for Africa to take a stance against Ethiopia’s crimesSamuel Ghebhrehiwet: Eritrea viewpoint: I fought for independence but I’m still waiting for freedomOpinio Juris: The Ethio-Eritrean Hunger Plan for Tigray and the Failure of Resolution 2417The Times view on the tragedy in TigrayAlex de Waal: Ethiopia Tigray crisis: Warnings of genocide and famine

Best greetings,

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Jan Nyssen
Professor of Physical Geography
Department of Geography
Ghent University
Belgium