Ethiopian Crisis: Addis Ababa slams 'politically motivated misinformation' about Tigray
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The Government of Ethiopia has slammed "unsubstantiated and politically motivated misinformation" about the situation in Tigray being "extensively shared by several actors".
The state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) quoted a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday as saying a call for much needed assistance to the people of Tigray "needs to be extricated from other political motivations and partisan support whose sole purpose is aimed at undermining the sovereign powers and responsibilities of the government".
It said unlike the prevailing and inaccurate narrative that purport vast parts of the region are inaccessible, the Federal Government in partnership with international and local organizations has made "significant progress" in delivering humanitarian assistance to care for citizens in Tigray.
“As of today, 3.1 million people have benefited from the humanitarian aid distributed in 34 woredas/districts, out of 36 in the region. The government’s contribution to humanitarian assistance is maintained at 70 percent while international partner’s share of assistance is 30 percent,” the statement said.
It said the 3.l million people supported to date, also include beneficiaries identified as food insecure prior to the rule of law operations and that were under the Productive Safety Net Program, it elaborated.
“As a sovereign country, while we welcome the concerns and tangible contributions of our international partners for a much-needed humanitarian support, coordination of humanitarian assistance remains the mandate of the Federal Government, facilitated by the Ministry of Peace,” the statement stressed.
On 4 November, the Ethiopian military began operations in Tigray in response to what Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described as attacks on federal forces and bases by forces affiliated with the region’s ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Although the government says the military action is over, TOLF says fighting is continuing. Tens of thousands of refugees have moved to Sudan.
The international community, including the UN, EU, US and humanitarian agencies have been raising the red flags about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.
The statement said Ethiopia has also granted media accessibility to international journalists.
ENA also said the Government indicated that it is cognisant of the "overt and covert misinformation campaigns" that have been launched against it in relation to the military action against the TPLF, which it calls "rule of law operations".
“The criminal clique’s well financed networks abroad continue to employ the use of digital media and other means, to portray an exaggerated or misleading account of events unfolding on the ground.”
The statement said the government of Ethiopia takes seriously allegations of human rights violations and has set up mechanisms to investigate and bring to justice perpetrators of alleged human rights violations committed, including sexual violations.
"Perpetrators and those who harbour criminals will not escape justice and will be tried in the court of law. And this includes crimes committed by more than 10,000 criminals that were imprisoned in the region and set loose by the fugitive criminal clique," the government said.
ENA said the government reiterated its commitment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens in Tigray and advised all actors to be aware of the misinformation campaign launched against it by those with hidden political motives.
-0- PANA MA 25Feb2021
