VOA and Girmai Gebru and News from Tigrai
(Aigaforum April 09, 2008): - The Voice of America Amharic has been churning all kinds of news about Ethiopia . Most if not all of its stories on Ethiopia has been biased news in support of the dissolved Kinjit (CUD) which notoriously aligned itself with anti EPRDF forces. With the current fast disintegration of CUD, the VOA has come up with a fabricated new story. This time the story is targeted to undermine EPRDF and the focus now is Tigrai instead of Addis Ababa and Wollega. Their correspondent is none other than Girmai Gebru whose sole intention is to disseminate biased inform ation.
There was a recent story aired by VOA of some individuals being jailed in Tigrai. The VOA report does in no way reflect the reality on the ground. We spoke to officials from Tigrai region and found out that there is no one jailed for speaking up their mind or exercising their constitutional right. The two stories that perhaps can come close to VOA story are the story of the Kelesha Emni and Atsbi. The area Kelesha Emni the Kushet (neighborhood) is found in the border area between Afar and Tigrai region. The Kelesha Emni were asked to decide who they wanted to identify with when Ethiopia redrew its political map. Since the people spoke both Tigrigna and Afar, there was no unanimous decision. Hence those who spoke Afar chose to join Afar and those who spoke Tigrigna chose Tigrai. The issue was settled and th e people that chose Tigrai had their area included in the Tigrai region. Though there has been sporadic disagreement in the area, there has not been any incident of magnitude worth reporting. In the case of the Atsbi, there is land issue and the dispute has been going on for over three years. There has been an effort to resolve the issue but so far the issue has not reached amicable closure. These issues as well as others are now being exploited by opposition forces with the help of VOA and their reporter in Tigrai.
The real story that needs coverage is the apprehension of individuals that have caused the death of innocent travelers in the Humera region. Sources tell us that the security forces effectively and quickly were able to break and get information into the workings of terrorist trained individuals who are managed by the Eritrean one man regime.
Eritrea’s one-man regime adventure to the Zalambesa front!
It has been an open secret for a while that Eritreans are fade-up with their own government. Recently the Eritrean regime came too close to the Ethiopian defense forces stationed overlooking Eritrea near Zalambesa. The Eritrean regime after kicking out the UNMEE forces monitoring the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) has been trying to reestablish a military post under the disguise of farm work. The regime playing a hide and seek game pretended to do farm work and brought tractors to do the digging and to plow near the Ethiopian border. Eritreans living along the border region thinking a favorable development has transpired asked the Eritrean regime if they could be allowed to go for market in Zalambesa which is the nearest town on the Ethiopian side. The regime told them no. They then proceeded to request if the Eritrean regim e would allow them to have a market day on their side and allow Ethiopians. The regime again refused and continued with its propaganda saying that Ethiopia would not allow any one to come to Eritrea . The Eritrean regime went to the extent of alerting them that selling and buying goods in Ethiopia was unacceptable. An irate public then told the one man regime representative that not to speak on behalf of Ethiopia and not worry about them being denied entry. Even though there was defiance on the part of the residents the regime refused. However, to smooth its relationship with the area residents it brought tractors to lure them to believe tha t it is ready to help them in their farming. Soon after the arrival of the tractors the drivers along with their tractors attempted to cross to the Ethiopian side. What ensued was a small skirmish the Eritrean forces started shooting at the fleeing drivers. Sources told us that the one man Eritrean regime sent about one thousand strong to recover its equipments. The reinforcement force started shelling towards the Ethiopian defense forces that were on the other side. The Ethiopian defense forces returned in kind and annihilated the Eritrean force completely. The Ethiopian defense forces then counseled the Eritreans residents who stayed behind the fleeing Eritrean army telling them not to worry and to continue with their daily life. Some of the Eritreans fearing retribution from the Eritrean regime for not running away from the advancing Ethiopian government forces chose to leave Eritrea behind and cross to the Ethiopian side. The border is now calm.
Reinforcing the Ethiopian policy of resolving the Ethio-Eritrea issue...
The students of Atse Yohannes secondary school in Mekelle sent a delegation to Shemelba, the Eritrean refugee camp. Cognizant of the fact that the policy of the Ethiopian government is working and needs support, the students went to visit Shemelba Eritrean refugee camp in Western Tigrai, Ethiopia . Word is that the Ethiopian government policy, although misunderstood and not believed to be a solution to the problem with Eritrea by many, today many are convinced and realize the policy as viable and effective. The students of Atse Yohannes realizing this fact decided to start a dialogue with Eritreans in the refugee camp in Ethiopia . Reports coming say the meeting was very fruitful and most participants expressed their joy. Participants pledge to work together as brother and sister with the intent to restore peace and harmony in the region.