LIES TOLD TO COVER UP TPLF CRIMES (Disinformation)
Observers have described as "particularly unfortunate and extremely disappointing", the fact that large international media outlets continue to recycle baseless, specious allegations without minimal scrutiny, confirmation, or validation of information from the Tigray region.
"On an almost daily basis, we have been inundated with a seemingly endless stream of sordid reports and allegations of lurid crimes"
The massive military attack on Ethiopian federal forces by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), resulted in a widespread violence, conflict, and the unfolding of significant humanitarian challenges. Consequently, there has also been a barrage and spread of disinformation by some international media.
Analysts who understand the problem in Tigray, have described the reports and allegations as "utterly false and baseless, in actuality having been concocted and disseminated for seemingly evil purposes".
Fingers are now pointing at AFP for recycling baseless, specious allegations without minimal scrutiny, confirmation, or validation.
Analysts regret that after spurious allegations are raised, they are never subjected to follow-up or retraction, clarification, or correction, which in itself is newsworthy and merits serious investigation.
The absurd report by AFP on the basis of anonymous and dubious sources claims that the Eritrean soldiers were "blocking and looting food aid" in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.
They further explained that anyone with a minimal understanding or knowledge about Eritrea and the region’s general history, not leaving out a basic grasp of logic, would know that these allegations are absolutely preposterous and devoid of truth.
Eritrea has a long, proud, principled record on humanitarian assistance toward civilians or prisoners in battle.
Back track, when the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) captured tens of thousands of Ethiopian prisoners of war (POW) in the many massive battles that raged during the 30-year struggle for independence, it consistently treated all of them humanely, irrespective of their rank and other particular distinctions.
The Ethiopian POWs, many of whom committed grave atrocities against Eritrean fighters and civilians were provided with access to education, healthcare, and sports, during the height of famines and droughts of biblical proportions that unfolded in the 1980s. In the words of one international journalist who visited the field, the EPLF’s treatment of POWs was “exemplary”.
During the height of the vicious border war with TPLF-led Ethiopia, in 1999, Eritrea gave its unconditional permission and consent for the delivery of emergency food aid to Ethiopia in order to help alleviate a severe humanitarian crisis.
Several years later, in late 2002, with millions of Ethiopians suffering in famine or near-famine conditions and notwithstanding the lingering tense, hostile relations between the countries, Eritrea again offered the use of its Red Sea ports for delivery of international humanitarian relief to Ethiopia. As was explained at the time by government officials, Eritrea is “conscious of its humanitarian obligations in the midst of a humanitarian crisis of huge proportions.”
Unfortunately, on both occasions, the TPLF rejected humanitarian initiatives and genuine gestures of good will, despite the fact that they would have supported millions of poor, hungry Ethiopians. Rather, the TPLF was able to amass significant financial benefits from the increased THS payments associated with the considerably longer routes that were taken through Djibouti while their people were forced to endure suffering and hunger.
Although the recent allegations being peddled threaten to obscure the TPLF’s high culpability in instigating the conflict and scapegoat the Eritrean and Ethiopian governments, the undeniable facts and fundamental truths should be clear for all to see: "the party responsible for the violence, humanitarian crisis, and looting and blocking of aid in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia is the TPLF".
TPLF's Last Kick Of A Dying Horse!
Worthy of note is that, the TPLF's war aims were rebuffed and utterly defeated, their remnants retreated, carrying out a scorched-earth policy as they fled. Subsequently, finding themselves in extremely harsh, challenging conditions. TPLF remnants have been carrying out sporadic attacks and looting materials and resources in order to try to survive and somehow sustain their campaign of violence.
In the midst of defeat, the TPLF also released thousands of criminals, some estimates put the number at well over 10,000 from prison, carried out an array of destructive acts, such as destroying roads, airports, and telecommunications facilities.
During the past several months, the group’s remnants have additionally remained busy through organizing terrorist cells and death squads to conduct sabotage and reprisals, block humanitarian assistance, and carry out assassinations.
The goal, as explained by many TPLF officials, members, and affiliates, has been to sow chaos, insecurity, and instability in the region so as to create overwhelming problems for Ethiopia’s federal and local authorities and prevent a return to anything resembling peace or normalcy.
