Addis Ababa, March 12, 2021 (Walta) – In a letter issued yesterday, the Ethiopian American Civic Council (EACC) urged President for the month of March Ambassador Linda Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN as well as UNSC members to play a constructive role and stand with people and government of Ethiopia.
The letter reads as follows:
On behalf of members of the Ethiopian diaspora community in the United States, the council pleaded for the UNSC to play a constructive role and stand with the People and Government of Ethiopia to successfully complete the law enforcement operation against the treasonous and destabilizing act of the TPLF, to respond to immediate humanitarian needs and to fast track recovery and reconstruction in areas affected by the treasonous attack by TPLF.
“The Ethiopian community in the United States commends the UNSC and its member states for the concern they have shown for the peace and stability of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is indeed a beacon of hope and an anchor of stability in the region. The right place and role of Ethiopia are partnering with the world to keep and build peace.” the letter says.
The council said, in the past three years, Ethiopia has been receiving an insufferable challenge at the hands of its own former rulers. The Tigrayan Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF), a group alien to democracy and the rule of law has been spoiling the peace and stability of the Ethiopian State.
The TPLF group that led Ethiopia for three decades, squandered innumerable opportunities for peace and reconciliation. It sidestepped and abused the forgiveness of the Ethiopian people and engaged in acts of destabilization.
TPLF – a political party turned into a criminal gang would spare no effort to reassume power and continue its draconian and divisive rule. In the failure of this futile effort, the group is proven to be invested in destabilizing Ethiopia and harming the Ethiopian people.
The TPLF beyond the heinous crimes it perpetrated while in power scarred the conscience of the Ethiopian public. TPLF’s flurry of fake news and propaganda and misleading imagery that seeks to disrepute the Ethiopian government and army and create enmity among the Ethiopian people is an old and destructive tactic.
It is unfortunate that finances embezzled from the Ethiopian people and international connections of TPLF operatives, including members of the UNSC, established for official purposes, are now being employed to inflict damage on Ethiopia and Ethiopians. However, it is incumbent on the UNSC to look beyond the portrayal of orchestrated and fake narratives that seek to erode the legitimacy of actions of the government of Ethiopia.
The group that purportedly stands for the liberty of the people of Tigray, has been arch-rival for the basic rights, wellbeing, and prosperity of the same people. Before and since its removal from power, TPLF has been fomenting enmity among the people of Ethiopia based on ethnic and religious lines.
It disheartens our community to see our people in all areas targeted by the TPLF, including the Tigray Region exposed to a shortage of food and other basic supplies. The Ethiopian government is doing everything in its power to make sure the humanitarian gap is bridged and the basic supplies are provided.
In this regard, Ethiopia is also grateful to UNWFP and other organizations that stood with the people of Ethiopia at this time of need. The Ethiopian community will continue to demand the Government of Ethiopia to address all human rights issues.
It is also our solemn responsibility to be part of the journey for national dialogue and healing. To this end, we welcome prime minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s statement on March 9, 2021, to African Peace and Security Council “…We express our will to openly engage the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in undertaking investigations jointly with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.”
Our community seeks to assure the UNSC and its members that, after so many years of political struggle, Ethiopia now has a responsible government. Ethiopia has already permitted unfettered access to humanitarian agencies. In an unprecedented manner, the government is open to working with the international community to address concerns on human rights and humanitarian assistance.
On the open debate under the theme of “conflict and food security”, we expect a constructive approach and context-informed deliberation. It shall be noted, despite the progress from the efforts of the Ethiopian people in the past years, to alleviate extreme poverty, food insecurity remains a central challenge in Ethiopia.
The acts of the TPLF to destabilize the nation and render its institutions fragile exacerbate this challenge and expose vulnerable populations to further harm. We expect the discussions on March 11, 2021, on the theme of “Conflict and Food Security” to address the intertwined and grave challenges faced by developing countries and reaffirm the commitment of the global community to help break this unfortunate cycle, especially during Covid 19 Pandemic.
While appreciating the attention the UNSC gave to the Ethiopian situation, we remain concerned by the risks of interference and undue prescription into the internal affairs of Ethiopia. The law enforcement measure in Ethiopia is a response to large-scale treasonous military attacks from within.
Most certainly, any of the member states in the Council would take a similar and much grave measure against such a heinous domestic threat. The Government of Ethiopia should be supported in its efforts to preserve the unity and sovereign integrity of the state. The UNSC shall also keep an eye on foreign affiliates and sponsors of TPLF that seek to destabilize Ethiopia and reassert their illegitimate and colonial hegemony over shared resources.
The letter concludes “Hoping to see the UNSC play its rightful and constructive role by supporting the Ethiopian Government in the efforts to reinstate law and order and respond to humanitarian needs, the Ethiopian Community in the US relays its highest regard to the Council.”
(Source – EACC)