Aljazeera Podcast on Peace Prospects in Ethiopia

 Aljazeera posted on 13 September 2022 a 25-minute podcast titled "Is Peace on the Horizon for Ethiopia's Tigray Region?" with Inside Story presenter Hashem Ahelbarra.  Panelists are Getachew Reda, TPLF spokesman, Ustaz Kamil Shemsu, member of the Ethiopian Parliament, Teklay Gebremichael in Sweden, and William Davison, International Crisis Group.

The panelists provided a generally pessimistic analysis of the prospects for the early resumption of peace talks.  The Ethiopian member of Parliament doubted the sincerity of the TPLF.  Teklay suggested that the Ethiopian government could not move forward without approval from Eritrea.  The TPLF spokesman seemed to say that talks could occur only if the 4 TPLF conditions--humanitarian access to Tigray Region, restauration of essential services, departure of Eritrean forces from Ethiopia, and removal of forces from western Tigray--mentioned last week by the TPLF are accepted by Addis Ababa.  

Ethiopia Needs to Pull Back from the Abyss

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) published on 7 September 2022 a commentary titled "Avoiding the Abyss as War Resumes in Northern Ethiopia."

Although it is not clear which side restarted the conflict in northern Ethiopia, Eritrea appears to have reengaged on the side of the central government and may be the big winner if the conflict continues.  The ICG called for high level visits to Addis Ababa and Tigray Region by international officials in an effort to pull back both sides from engaging in further conflict.

UN Condemns Air Strike on Tigrayan Kindergarten

 Aljazeera published on 27 August 2022 an article titled "UN Condemns Deadly Air Raid that 'Hit Kindergarten' in Tigray."

UNICEF strongly condemned the 26 August central government air strike on a kindergarten in the capital of Tigray Region.  The central government did not deny the air strike but said it only attacks military targets.  

Ethiopia: Tigrayans Claim Air Stike Hits Kindergarten

 The Associated Press published on 26 August 2022 an article titled "Airstrike Hits Kindergarten in Capital of Ethiopia's Tigray."

Drawing on Tigrayan television footage and quoting the director of the hospital in the capital of Mekele, the article said that the airstrike killed at least four people, including two children. The Associated Press was not able to independently verify the TV footage.  The Ethiopian government did not immediately comment on the report.  

Catholic Church in Tigray Region Speaks Out

 The Vatican News published on 21 January 2022 an article titled "Tigray Church Denounces Conflict, Loss of Lives in Ethiopian Region."

The Adigrat Diocese of the Catholic Church in Tigray Region condemned the ongoing human rights abuses and urged the international community to exert pressure for political dialogue and unrestricted humanitarian access.  

Threats to Ethiopia's Economy

 Responsible Statecraft, online magazine of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, published on 19 January 2022 a commentary titled "Ethiopia Needs More than Peace Talks" by Alex de Waal.  

The author concluded that Ethiopia needs a rescue package to prevent galloping inflation, restructure its debts, and keep the economy functioning.  Donors will not solve these problems if Ethiopia continues to spend its foreign exchange on the war.  The only donors with the ability to achieve these goals are Western countries and international financial institutions.   

Continuing Air Strikes on Civilians in Ethiopia's Tigray Region

 Aljazeera published on 15 January 2022 an article titled "UN Decries Ethiopia Air Strikes: Says Dozens Killed This Month."

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 108 civilians have died so far this year in Tigray Region as a result of air strikes.

ESAT Interview on Biden/Abiy Telephone Call

 ESAT TV posted on 13 January 2022 a 50-minute interview with me titled "Biden Calls to Abiy: Change in Approach or Policy?" moderated by Gizaw Legesse.

The focus of the interview was the significance of the telephone call between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.  It also dealt with issues related to Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia.  

White House Statement on Biden/Abiy Phone Conversation

 The While House published on 10 January 2022 a statement on President Biden's phone call with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed concerning the conflict in Ethiopia.  

The phone call dealt with peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia, the recent air strike in Tigray Region, humanitarian access across Ethiopia, human rights, a cease fire, and the strengthening of US-Ethiopian relations.

Humanitarian Operations Stop in Area of Air Strike in Tigray Region

 Agence France Presse published on 9 January 2022 an article titled "Aid Agencies Suspend Work in Tigray Area Hit by Deadly Strike: UN" by Tanya Willmer.

Following scores of civilian casualties in the airstrike on the internally displaced persons camp of Dedebit in northwestern Tigray Region, the UN and its humanitarian partners have suspended operations in that area due to the threat of additional drone strikes.  

Are Peace Talks for Real in Ethiopia?

 Aljazeera posted on 8 January 2021 a 25-minute podcast titled "Does Ethiopia's PM Want a Peaceful End to the Tigray War" with Awol Allo, Keele University, Kjetil Tronvoll, Oslo New University College, and Adem Kassie Abebe, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

The panelists were skeptical whether Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's recent release of political prisoners and talk of national dialogue are serious steps towards peace.

Ethiopian Aircraft Bomb Capital of Tigray Region

 The BBC published on 18 October 2021 an article titled "Tigray: Ethiopian Government Admits Mekelle Airstrike."

The Ethiopian government expanded the war in Ethiopia by acknowledging that its aircraft bombed Mekelle, the capital of Tigray Region, on 18 October.  

Airstrike on Town in Tigray Kills at Least 80 Persons

 The New York Times reported on 23 June 2021 that "Dozens Killed in Market Airstrike in Ethiopia, Officials Say" by Simon Marks and Abdi Latif Dahir.

The report said that an airstrike on a market in Togoga, a town about 15 miles west of Mekelle, capital of Tigray Region, on 23 June killed at least 80 civilians.  The incident comes on the heals of apparent increased military activity in Tigray Region.  

The report raises the question why the Air Force is needed to hit a town 15 miles from the regional capital city, which is under the control of Ethiopian government forces.