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Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated in the Ethiopian Parliament on 28th of October, “Ethiopia adds 3 million people every year. That means Ethiopia adds one full Eritrea every year… (Regarding potential negotiations with Eritrea), I’m willing to negotiate if it leads to a meaningful outcome… If war breaks out, the outcome is clear… If we go to war, no one will stop us.
After making the above astonishing threat of war, he praised his own country’s parliament and ridiculed Eritrea’s system of government, saying, ‘We won’t mind Eritreans sharing their thoughts and opinions in our parliamentary discussions until they have their own parliament. This is because it’s an Ethiopian culture to share what we have with others.”
The politics of Ethiopia is becoming increasingly absurd. It’s striking to see the renowned Ethiopian artist Shimelis Abera venture into political analysis, while Abiy Ahmed’s actions resemble those of a comedian. Where can one find a more absurd drama than this?
Abiy Ahmed’s parliamentary speech indicates his readiness to go to war with Eritrea over securing a sea port. Experts warn that it will take decades for Ethiopia to recover from the devastating two-year war in Tigray (2020-2022), and the ongoing conflicts in Oromia and Amhara regions have caused immense damage. If war with Eritrea breaks out, it will have catastrophic consequences, far beyond the two countries, and will unleash a destructive wave of conflict across the entire region.
In this context, I have a message for the people of Addis Ababa.
Respected citizens of Addis Ababa, it’s to be recalled that 28 years ago, Ethiopia fought a two-year war with Eritrea over the Badme border issue, resulting in the deaths of over 100,000 people from both sides and countless injuries. Many Addis Ababans answered the government’s call and fought in the war. In 1999, we received devastating news(‘Merdo’) of over 5,000 young Addis Ababans killed in the battlefield. Durin that war, Addis Ababans demonstrated their patriotism not only by fighting in the war but also by supporting the soldiers with food and other necessities. The city’s residents, known for their creativity and artistic talent, motivated the soldiers through music, poetry, and drama. However, after the war, the government didn’t reward our sacrifices; instead, we were subjected to various forms of oppression. The 2001 and 2005 popular uprisings are examples of the imprisonment, beatings, and killings we endured under the then-EPRDF regime.
In 2020, during the conflict with Tigray forces, Abiy Ahmed’s government sought our help, and we responded wholeheartedly in defense of Ethiopian sovereignty. However, while we were fighting, the government annexed over 100,000 hectares of Addis Ababa’s land and incorporated it to Oromia region. And after the end of the Tigray war, the government’s focus shifted to displacing Addis Ababans, dispossessing us of our properties, and violating our citizenship rights.
Therefore, we, the people of Addis Ababa, should not support this war. We should tell Abiy Ahmed, “Returning Assab is not our priority; reclaiming our land and regaining our properties is our priority. This is your war, not ours. If you start it, fight it yourself.”
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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Historical Background: Italy snatched Ethiopia’s Bahirè-Nègash during the First Italo-Ethiopian War [1895-1896]. Italy renamed it ‘Eritrea’ and occupied it till the end of WW-II [1945]. In 1945, Italy surrendered to Britain [Allied Powers] and also handed Eritrea over to Britain. Britain should have handed Eritrea back to Ethiopia as all the Allied Powers handed back most Axis-Occupied lands →like Alsace-Lorraine to France.
The Affar Red Sea Coast [South of Massawa to North of Djibouti]: It is Ethiopian Affars’ homeland since the dawn of time with Asèb & Sèmèrä as alternate capitals. It has never been part of Eritrea! In 1991, Eritrea annexed it when Egypt’s Proxy Secessionist Duo [ሻብያ/EPLF/Eritrea & ወያኔ/TPLF/Tigray] invaded-and-occupied Ethiopia.
Worse, EPLF concocted the ‘Eritrean Affars’ crap and Land-Locked Ethiopia. Although the 1990s TPLF-EPLF Treaties should all be Null-and-Void and despite all that travesty of justice, Ethiopia went the Extra Mile and pleaded with the EPLF for Red Sea Access: youtu.be/esedLTkujB0?t=338
Addis Ababa Flooded with EPLF/Eritrea’s Spies: The EPLF/ሻብያ used the 2018 Ethio-Eritrea reconciliation honeymoon as façade, opened the Ethio-Eritrea border, flooded Addis Ababa with ≥300,000 EPLF’s Spies [within weeks], AND closed Eritrea’s border. So, beware that these spies are EPLF Sleeper Cells ready to attack Ethiopia from inside.