Ethiopia working with int’l partners to step up humanitarian, rehabilitation activities in Tigray: PMO

Addis Ababa, June 3, 2021 (FBC) – The Press Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister Bilene Seyoum and the Attorney General Dr. Gedewon Temotiwos have briefed international media on the legal and humanitarian and rehabilitation issues in Tigray and the upcoming elections.

Bilene recollected major circumstances related to belligerent acts of the terrorist TPLF before the law enforcement operation began.

Criminal enterprise TPLF was committing power abuse, state capture and massive corruption and masterminded human rights abuses on ethnic Somalis, Amharas, Oromis, Agnuwak and others for three decades, she said.

TPLF disdained peace initiatives and mongered war for several months before it attacked the Northern Command of the National Defense Force and publicly confessed its sin as preemptive measure, she recalled.

TPLF continued its belligerence despite several calls for peace by the government, she noted.

In post law enforcement period, TPLF that has been recently designated by the house of peoples representatives continued attacks on convoys of humanitarian aid loaded trucks, misled the international community through well financed disinformation campaign, assassinated members of the interim administration of Tigray, Bilene remarked.

But, she said, all the aforementioned devilish acts of the terrorist group have been overlooked, omitted and disregarded by the international community.

The terrorist group was and is now peddling divisive rhetoric but Ethiopians know how to live in harmony with each other.

Ethiopians know and understand that their roots are deep and intertwined long before ethnic identity is institutionalized, she added.

Belene underlined that the government of Ethiopia is aggressively working to assuage suffering of Ethiopians in Tigray region, and undertaking a wide range of humanitarian and rebuilding activities to restore full normalcy in the reigon.

According to Bilene 4.5 million people have been aided during first round humanitarian work out of which 70pct has been covered by the government. 4.9 people have been addressed through second and third aid activities, she said.

Over 166,000 metric ton of food aid has been distributed to people in need in the region. 93 Woredeas are being aided by the humanitarian aid in which 6 operators are engaged, she explained.

Regarding the upcoming election, she said the government has undertaken a wide range of preoperational activities to make the polling democratic, fair and free. Close to 40 Million people have registered to vote, she stated.