The exaggerated claims by certain quarters that we see these days on social media regarding the situation in the Tigray region is designed to influence international public opinion.
It is unfortunate that the mainstream media is swept away by this misinformation campaign and popular hashtag PR Wars. One can easily visit the web site, which generates pre-written fabricated message that anyone can tweet.
In its publication of February 5/2021, the Washington post also noted that “Over 3000 new twitter accounts were created between November 2020 and the end of January 2021. These accounts demonstrate a low level of digital literacy, few followers and short-term engagements.”
The fact of the matter is the situation in the Tigray region is slowly but surely stabilizing and people have resumed their daily life. Basic services have been restored and the government has already embarked on the herculean task of rehabilitating and rebuilding the region.
Criminal investigation against the leadership of the TPLF as well as former national defence and police force members is underway. Key findings of the investigation show that the TPLF undertook a massive preparation to wage war and regain its dominant position, which it lost through peaceful popular demands and the ensuing reform initiatives.
Evidences show that the TPLF leadership masterminded and sponsored communal conflicts and atrocities in various parts of the country.
Several senior UN officials, including the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, the High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Executive Director of WFP visited the Tigray Region to assess the situation on the ground and to scale up a Government-led humanitarian response to meet the immediate needs of the people.The Executive Director of WFP commended the emergency food assistance that the Government and partners have already provided to the people of Tigray since the onset of the crisis.
The Ministry of Peace has announced that the relief operation has already reached out to more than 2 million people in need. Eritrean refugees residing in the region have also received food and nutrition assistance.
Currently, humanitarian assistance is underway through 92 distribution centers. The Government is ready to tackle the bureaucratic hurdles to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Tigray.
But the exaggerated claims on social media cast a different picture, which is far from the reality on the ground. The people of Ethiopia seek peace and the rule of law.
Ethiopia has been a beacon of stability in the volatile Horn of Africa region. The government is committed to ensuring the restoration of peace and stability in the Tigray. As the Prime Minister said, only an Ethiopia at Peace will deliver on its promise.
Source: Ethiopian Permanent Mission Geneva (EPMG)