Urgent call for an immediate cessation of all forms of hostilities and commence all-inclusive national dialogue

[africangear]

It is with a great disappointment that the Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) learned the declaration of war by the federal government on Tigrai on 3rd November 2020.

The GSTS denounces this illegal and unjust war in the strongest possible terms. It will only deepen the political and humanitarian crises in Ethiopia and further destabilize the greater Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.

The GSTS calls for an immediate cessation of all forms of hostilities and urgently launch an all-inclusive national dialogue.
As revealed in several human rights and media reports, Ethiopia is now best known for extensive internal displacements, killings of civilians, widespread social unrest, high-profile assassinations, and sharp economic decline. While the national election has been postponed indefinitely with the pretext of COVID-19, political leaders of critical opposition parties have been put in jail. The latest move to declare war that followed attempts to restructure as well as move out the Ethiopian armed forces, stationed in the northern part of Ethiopia bordering Eritrea has significantly contributed to the militarily confrontation. It is to be recalled that the federal government decided to withhold Tigrai regional state’s share of the federal budget and social protection resources funded by global donors that support the needy in the region. The regional state of Tigrai has denounced and declared these moves to assault Tigrai militarily in alliance with and the support of the Eritrean security forces at the border areas and within Ethiopia as treason.

Now, a dark storm of war is once again gathering in the Horn of Africa. If not abated immediately through concerted efforts by the international community, this crisis may lead to greater risk of disintegration of the country; with far-reaching consequences to the greater Horn of Africa. With the existing mutually reinforcing problems of food insecurity, recent locust infestation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the country and the region at large, may face a devastating humanitarian crisis.

Thus, GSTS calls:

1. For immediate ceasefire and cessation of all forms of hostilities
2. For an all-inclusive national dialogue for a peaceful resolution
3. On the international community to urgently:
a. demand all parties to desist from all militarily and other forms of aggression;
b. facilitate a national dialogue that brings all stakeholders to participate and agree on a roadmap towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis;
c. expedite the release of all political prisoners at all levels in order to ensure a meaningful participation of all political forces in the dialogue;
d. demand the removal of all foreign security forces and prevent any involvement of external actors in the internal affairs of Ethiopia;
4. On all stakeholders including religious leaders, traditional elders, professionals, civic associations, and the people of Ethiopia at large to condemn the war and positively contribute to a national dialogue.
GSTS once again strongly condemns the declaration of war and reiterates its readiness to contribute its share for the success of an all - inclusive national dialogue.

The Global Leadership, GSTS
4 November 2020

Urgent call for an immediate cessation of all forms of hostilities and commence all-inclusive national dialogue
merebPDFfiles/GSTS_Document_1.pdf