WASHINGTON, United States | For the first time in as many months, the Ethiopian conflict has featured in the United States Congress, with Somali-born Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, soliciting questions from the State Department, which oversees mainly such situations in the world.
Ethiopian National Defense Forces Monday [ENDF] withdrew from the Tigray region after eight months of genocide, rape and torture, targeting both civilians and members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Tigray [TPLF] now renamed the Tigray Defense Force [TDF].
Although Addis Ababa maintains that the pullout was motivated by shrinking financial fortunes, pressure from the international community to pave the way for humanitarian aid, among others, TDF rejected the ceasefire, arguing that “we have crushed them”. TDF now controls the entire Tigray region.
When asking Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Robert Godec about the conflict in Ethiopia, MP Ilhan Omar asked to know the role Somali troops played in Ethiopia’s Tigray region throughout the crisis.
“The UN special rapporteur concluded that Somali troops were fighting with the Eritrean army in Axum. Have you been able to verify these claims? she asked about the June UN report, which caused anxiety in her native Somalia.
In response, Godec admitted Somali soldiers to Tigray but could not confirm their involvement in crimes against humanity. He said: “We have looked at this issue. We know of some Somali troops in Ethiopia, but I cannot give a definitive answer as to whether they were involved in operations, but we are working on it.
Garowe Online’s preliminary investigations established nearly 5,000 Somali troops training in Eritrea, recruiting them on a secret mission. Sources suggested that troops had been promised to be flown to Qatar to end up in Asmara.
The parents of the young soldiers protested in Somalia, demanding clarification from the government, especially following reports that some may have died in Tigray. Through Information Minister Osman Abukar Dubbe, Somalia has confirmed its presence in Eritrea but has not provided further details.
“Do we know why Somali troops are in Ethiopia? Ilhan Omar asked to know during the session, with Godec responding, “I think they were receiving training from the Eritreans on the basis of an agreement.”
The United States has been particularly concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, pressuring Addis Ababa to withdraw its troops. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed warned that forces could return if “they attack the Amhara of Tigray”.
With TDF keen to consolidate his bases, Abiy would be keen to engage in dialogue, but he has yet to be bold about it. For its part, TDF insisted on plans to “pursue the enemies” of the ENDF, Amhara regional forces and Eritrean troops who are jointly accused of massacres in Tigray.
During the session, Ms. Omar, representing the 5th District of Minnesota, also asked if the type of atrocities committed in Tigray had been classified. She called the war “ethnic cleansing”, adding that it amounted to genocide.
“My heart goes out to the children who have been particularly murdered in Ethiopia this week. Mr. Godec, what is the status of the legal ruling on the atrocities committed in Ethiopia? When do we expect a full report on ethnic cleansing in Ethiopia? she asked.
In return, Godec, who has previously been an American envoy to Kenya, said: “The administration firmly believes that human rights violations and atrocities have been committed in Tigray, and this has been of deep concern to us for some time. . “The use of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity is a legal decision. The final decision rests with the Secretary of State.
In an exciting turn of events, the second-term congresswoman asked whether Abiy Ahmed’s decision to designate the Popular Front for the Liberation of Tigray and the Oromo Liberation Front as “terrorist” networks undermines peace processes in Ethiopia .
“It is complicated to a certain extent. For example, we are concerned about humanitarian access. There have not been negotiations yet, but we believe that a dialogue needs to take place,” Godec said.
Despite the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Eritrean troops and Amhara regional forces in Tigray, the situation remains fluid. There are tensions after the ENDF destroyed one of the bridges that connect Tigray to the rest of Ethiopia, which is also widely used by humanitarian groups.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority on Friday ordered planes overflying Ethiopia to avoid Tigray or maintain a high altitude. An airline advisory issued requires flights over Tigray to fly above 29,000 feet, which could indicate the threat posed by the Tigray Defense Forces.
Across the country, Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, continues to struggle despite his reformist stance. Ethnic clashes in Amhara and Oromia regions have mainly left hundreds dead, with authorities in Addis Ababa also arresting key political figures on charges of “incitement.”
A fortnight ago, the country went to parliamentary elections where Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party is expected to win most of the seats. It is important to note that elections did not take place in most of Ethiopia, including Tigray, due to security concerns.
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