Ethiopia’s Somali region raises funds for victims of Tigray atrocities
JIGJIGA, Ethiopia – Leaders from the Somali region of Ethiopia have launched a fundraiser aimed at raising funds for victims of atrocities in the Tigray region, as part of one of the latest humanitarian efforts to reduce loss of life possible due to hunger.
In the past seven months, the Tigray region has been the scene of crimes against humanity following the invasion of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF], the Eritrean troops and those of the Amhara regional forces, which pursued the Popular Front for the Liberation of Tigray [TPLF] otherwise known as the Tigray Defense Forces [TDF].
Somali Regional Vice President Mustafa Omer attended the launch event of the Victims Fund, which would help more than 2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. A number of internally displaced people are in Sudan.
“Before being ousted and starting to play the role of victim, the TPLF killed, raped and tortured tens of thousands of civilians in the Somali region during its 27-year reign of terror,” said the TPLF. Vice President Mustafa, who apparently accused the TPLF of war crimes. in Tigray.
The Fund will mobilize resources from businessmen, government and the public to provide livelihoods and psychosocial support to victims. The region has opposed TDF’s leadership on broad interests within the federal government.
Last week, the TDF captured Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of Tigray, announcing a major victory over the ENDF and its partners. The TDF marched soldiers captured during the war, which drew international attention.
Getachew Rada, spokesperson for the TDF government, said “we will pursue our enemies until we fully protect our people”. Despite the refusal to recognize the ceasefire declared by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the TDF on Sunday issued conditions for a ceasefire.
But for its part, the Ethiopian army insisted that it withdraw from Tigray following the interventions of the international community in the face of the escalating humanitarian crisis. The army has promised to return to Mekelle “in case of need, even today”.
Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, said federal troops were also forced to withdraw due to the high cost of the war. The war was sparked by the attack on the Northern Command by the TPLF, which has opposed the Addis Ababa government since 2018.
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