ADDIS ABABA, DECEMBER 24, 2021 – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed released a statement this evening explaining the decision the government made with regards to Ethiopian forces not penetrating into Tigray. He said the decisions are based on long term benefits and are not shortsighted.
Read the full text below.
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Our decisions are based on long term benefits not shortsighted
"'National Unity in Diversity' campaign has achieved its goal by eradicating the TPLF terrorist group from Amhara and Afar regions. The government has given an order to the ENDF to remain at the places it has liberated. We have decided this based on long term benefits rather than being shortsighted. A strategy that will not lead to Ethiopia’s victory will only embolden our enemies; it will be a lifeline to the terrorist groups. A military decision that is shortsighted will only immerse us in a long war with no end.
The war that is waged to weaken Ethiopia is multifaceted. The existential threat is not just visible it is also hidden. Military, diplomatic, economic, information warfare is being carried out against us in a coordinated and advanced manner. We are not only resisting the battle but also the war. And the war has many battlefronts. Some of them are done up front while others are a hidden trap. The government has prepared a plan which will enable us to resist the attacks on Ethiopia’s sovereignty from all battlefronts and there by sustainably ensure Ethiopia’s victory.
Our people know that the problem in the north came as a result of the changes that were being seen. It was after the changes began to be seen that the TPLF started to use its region as a fort to cause problems because it believes in the idea that “the Ethiopia it can’t rule must be destroyed”. In order to avoid the loss of human lives, to avoid damages on properties, to avoid insecurity and strain on the economy, many attempts were made to peacefully resolve the problems. But the TPLF terrorist group could not see a peaceful path but instead was focused on the path of destruction.
Since peace has come between Ethiopia and Eritrea and that Ethiopia’s forces were needed elsewhere, the ENDF was ordered to move from the Ethio-Eritrean border to other places in the country. However, TPLF terrorists sent children to lie down on the streets and block the movement and the elderly to plea the ENDF not to leave. The ENDF, hence, did not leave Tigray. TPLF was bringing its evil plan disguised under the people’s wishes while at the same time secretly plotting with other foreign forces who want to invade Ethiopia.
In order to fulfill the pact made with the foreign forces to attack Ethiopia, it made a horrific assault on the Northern Command which had been serving the people with its sweat and blood and which had remained there accepting the wishes of the people. Any assault made on the ENDF, which is the last defender of the country, is an assault on the sovereignty and it is an existential threat. The TPLF terrorists’ major goal was to steal the weapons and the food the Northern Command had and use it to invade and dismantle Ethiopia. It did this in collaboration and in discussion with our foreign enemies. When the ENDF took a swift offensive, a year ago in the first week of November, the Junta fled to Tembien desert with its tail between its legs. We have freed our captive soldiers and retrieved our stolen weapons in this existential and law enforcement campaign. We have brought some of the leaders of the terrorists to justice while eliminating those who said no.
Our army has remained in Tigray for eight months. It has sacrificed itself so that the economic, political and social services could be carried out smoothly. It has tried all its best to facilitate the rehabilitation of infrastructure, reinstating of public services and the accessibility of humanitarian services. While doing this our army was paying the ultimate sacrifice in two ways. First, it undeservedly received a bad name by the enemies and its media supporters’ propaganda. Second, it was backstabbed by the region’s community which was also a victim of propaganda.
Our army’s sacrifice was only rewarded with accusations and bad name. We channeled 100 billion ETB for humanitarian services and reconstruction works but it was not recognized rather the administration and the security forces were unfairly accused. In order to allow Tigray farmers to attend to their farm which was devastated by the locust invasion and the war, the government declared a humanitarian ceasefire and ordered the ENDF to leave Tigray region.
However, the TPLF terrorists and its international compatriots saw our army’s humanitarian decision as a defeat. In order to weaken our army, which was tirelessly serving for eight months, a medieval human wave attack was carried out. We reversed this invasion, by taking time, wisdom, coordinated planning along with technology. The enemy is removed from the places it invaded.
The government is prepared in all battlefronts to face this existential threat which is multifaceted. The place where we can defend our existence and our sovereignty is not only at the ground level battle. There are many other fronts other than the military where we must fight. The decision the government makes is not shortsighted but takes into consideration all battlefronts. Our first objective was to eliminate the terrorist group from Amhara and Afar. And we have achieved this almost one hundred percent. And we have posted our army at strategic locations to oversee the movement of the enemy.
There are many reasons that led us to this conclusion. First, when there is a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, the ENDF has the constitutional right and responsibility to take measures by moving into Tigray at any time or any moment. Second, we do not wish to enter into the traps that the TPLF and its supporters prepared to accuse the government and the army. The mothers of Tigray must ask the terrorists who have brought all this mayhem upon them and who have forced them to sacrifice their children in vain. Third, Ethiopians have removed this terrorist from their back with a bitter battle. The people of Tigray also have the will and capacity to remove this terrorist through a struggle. Ethiopians and the government are ready to support the people of the region if needed.
Our principle is to ensure Ethiopia’s holistic victory, ensure territorial integrity and sustainable victory of Ethiopia in each of our decisions. From now on the terrorist forces will no more threaten us as they wish. We won’t say they won’t try but as long as we keep our unity Ethiopia will be victorious. Ethiopia’s victory is based not on the weakness of the enemy but on the strength of our unity and collaboration. We must maintain our unity more than ever."
PM Abiy Ahmed
December 24, 2021
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