IDMC Report Imposes International Intervention on Fascist Abyssinia (Fake Ethiopia)
Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis
January 27, 2011
(http://www.buzzle.com/articles/diseases-starvation-abject-poverty-deforestation-tyranny-synonyms-of-abyssinia-fake-ethiopia.html), ´´The Existence of the Barbaric State of Fake Ethiopia is a Shame for the Mankind – Liberate Ogaden´´ (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-existence-of-the-barbaric-state-of-fake-ethiopia-is-a-shame-for-the-mankind-liberate-ogaden.html) and ´´IDMC Report Shows Need to Split Terrorist State Ethiopia, Impose Mandate over Racist Amhara, Tigray´´ (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/idmc-report-shows-need-to-split-terrorist-state-ethiopia-impose-mandate-over-racist-amhara-tigray.html), I started the republication of the integral edition of the devastating Report on Ethiopia – Internal Displacement Profile, released by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre; more specifically, I republished the first two units, ´´Causes and Background´´, and ´´Background´´, and the eleven parts of the third unit, ´´Causes of displacement´´.
In and by itself, the comprehensive Report bears witness to the urgent need for an imminent international intervention and elimination of the racist Amhara – Tigray pestilence that represents today the world´s cruellest, most inhuman, and most monstrous totalitarian regime.
Before the aforementioned articles, I published the Report´s abridged version (´´Ethiopia - Monitoring of conflict, human rights violations and resulting displacement still problematic´´ http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/ethiopia-monitoring-of-conflict-human-rights-violations-and-resulting-displacement-still-problematic) in an article titled ´´After South Sudan, Referendum for Secession Needed in Ogaden and Oromia (Abyssinia, Fake Ethiopia)´´ (amongst others: https://www.examiner.com/web-news/wfp?index=4 and http://www.savethechildren.org.au/), in which I stated that cataclysmic developments have to be anticipated – and for the benefit of the terrorized and tyrannized populations who belong to Abyssinia´s subjugated nations – and that over the next few years, Eastern Africa will undergo a great change, following the recent referendum for independence and secession which was held in South Sudan.
I specified that Abyssinia (fallaciously re-baptized as Ethiopia) is Africa´s worst tyranny whereby an ethno-religious minority of ca. 17%, namely the Amhara and Tigray Tewahedo (Monophysitic) Abyssinians, rule tyrannically over 15 subjugated nations that all passionately struggle for national liberation, independence and secession from the immense fascist jail that is Abyssinia. This is exactly what the IDMC Report brings to surface, evidencing otherwise hidden realities.
In the present fifth article of the series, I reproduce the other chapters of the Report´s third unit, which comprises of eighteen (18) chapters in total. Before that, I make also available the complete Table of Contents to offer an overview of the comprehensive Report.
Ethiopia - Internal Displacement Profile
http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004CE90B/(httpCountries)/2CC10DD018E56104802570A7004B304F?OpenDocument&count=10000&expandview#expand
I. Causes and Background
Background (Special Report 2007)
Background (Special Report 2007)
Conflict-displacement in the context of displacement due to natural disasters, resettlement and economic migration (Special Report 2007)
II. Background
Study shows Conflict prevalent in all regions of Ethiopia (November 2008)
Continued border tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea (2007)
Background to the 1998 border dispute
Both Ethiopia and Eritrea used mass deportations as a weapon of war, 1998-2002
Regular human rights violations, particularly after the May 2005 parliamentary elections (January 2006)
Border standoff in November 2005 threatening border stability (March 2006)
Easy availability of small arms contributes to conflicts (2005)
III. Causes of displacement
Conflict between Garre (Somali) and Borena (Oromiya) over disputed land (February 2009)
Conflict causes displacement of tens of thousands in 2008 (February 2009)
Somali region (Special Report 2007)
Somali region: Root causes of, and background to displacement (August 2003)
Somali region: clashes between Ethiopian armed forces and ONLF (June 2008)
Drought-induced displacements fuel conflicts in east and south, 2002-2005 (February 2005)
Somali-Oromo border referendum of December 2004
Oromiya region (Special Report 2007)
Gambella: Causes for displacement (2004)
Gambella: Displacement in December 2003 and in 2004
Gambella: Displacement from 2005 to 2007 (Special Report 2007)
Tigray and Afar regions (Special Report 2007)
Tigray and Afar: Chronology of the military confrontations in border areas between Eritrea and Ethiopia, May 1998 – June 2000
Tigray and Afar: Armed conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia displaced civilians living along the border, 1998-2000
Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples region (Special Report 2007)
Afar: tensions between the Afar and the Issa (2007)
Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region (SNNPR): Thousands displaced due to ethnic clashes in the southern region, 2002-2003
IDPs around Addis Ababa (August 2003)
IV. Peace efforts
Federal government asked to help contain regional conflicts (August 2009)
Border impasse between Eritrea and Ethiopia poses serious challenges for peace (July 2008)
Organization of African Unity mediation efforts resulted in 2000 cease-fire
The Boundary Commission, 2000-2005
The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) and the Temporary Security Zone, 2000-2005
The Temporary Security Zone, 2000-2005
Stability along the border shaky as both Ethiopia and Eritrea sharpen their rhetoric (2007)
Traditional reconciliation mechansism: Peace efforts in Gambella (2007)
V. Population Figures and Profile
Global figures
Difficulties in identifying and counting IDPs (Special Report 2007)
Geographical Distribution
Inter-ethnic conflict in southern Ethiopia displaces thousands of people (February 2009)
Somali/Oromiya regions: Displacement due to 2004 Somali/Oromiya border referendum continues to be of concern (February 2006)
Oromiya region: Ethnic conflict between Gabra, Guji and Borena displace over 40,000 since April 2005 (June 2006)
Gambella: Internal displacement (February 2006)
Tigray: 62,000 still displaced since the Ethio-Eritrean war (January 2006)
Three main areas of displacement along the Eritrea/Ethiopia border (April 2003)
Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region: ethnic conflict base for internal displacement (March 2003)
VI. Patterns of Displacement
General
Historic and general overview of causes of displacement (2003)
Reports on displacement due to repression by government in rural areas (January 2006)
Resettlement Programmes and economic migration (Special Report 2007)
VII. Physical Security & Freedom of Movement
Physical security
Somali Region: Serious human rights violations against population in Ogaden, and economic restrictions (August 2009)
Displacement-specific humanitarian and protection challenges (Special Report 2007)
Physical security of IDP women and children are a protection concern (2007)
Somali region: Serious human rights violations against population in Ogaden, and economic restrictions (2007)
VIII. Subsistence Needs
General
Ethiopian State accused of hidding famine, depriving needy of food aid (September 2008)
Drought causes enormous strain on Ethiopia's south-east (April 2006)
IDP needs in Doba Woreda in Oromiya region (February 2005)
IDPs needs in Miesso in Oromiya region (December 2004)
Tigray IDPs live on meagre resources, government response to include them in PSNP (February 2006)
Conflict induced newly displaced people in acute humanitarian situation in Somali and Oromiya regions (March 2006)
Conflict induced IDPs in Bordode/Mieso areas (Somali) in need of planned humanitarian assistance (April 2004)
Food
High malnutrition in IDP producing areas (July 2009)
Over 6 million Ethiopians need food aid (October 2008)
Health
Therapeutic Feeding Centres in vulnerable regions (July 2009)
Drought posing health risks to children (January 2006)
Health risks in relation to the 2006 drought (April 2006)
HIV/AIDS prevalence exacerbated by frequent population movements (March 2003)
Water and Sanitation
Somali Region facing food and water crisis (August 2009)
People in need of emergency water assistance increased from 2.6 to 4.2 million during 2003 (June 2003)
Education
Children in pastoralist and conflict areas face poor access to education (October 2008)
IX. Issues of Self-Reliance and Public Participation
Self-reliance
IDPs likely to be disadvantaged in local allocation system (January 2004)
IDPs self reliance particularly disrupted by loss of assets and access to farmland (May 2002)
X. Documentation Needs and Citizenship
General
Access to land, identity cards and public services goes through local kebele officials (January 2004)
XI. Issues of Family Unity, Identity and Culture
General
Traditional Ethiopian social structure is hierarchical (January 2004)
XII. Property Issues
Law and Policy
Federal and Regional Land proclamations introduce a system of land registration and certification (Jan 2008)
Compensation for land inadequate and possibly putting at risk those without land certificates (January 2008)
Land Proclamations an attempt for enhanced gender equality (January 2008)
XIII. Patterns of Return and Resettlement
Return
Return movements difficult to monitor (2005)
Gambella: return movements in 2007
Thousands of drought-IDPs assisted to return in Somali region (2007)
Obstacles to return
Tigray: Return constrained by presence of landmines Tigray (2007)
Resettlement programmes
Government resettlement plans for 2006 in Amhara (February 2006)
Government´s resettlement programme gives mixed results (December 2004)
Badly planned resettlements in severely drought-affected Oromiya (June 2003)
Resettlement of drought affected people in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (July 2003)
75,000 people including war-displaced to be resettled in Humera in Tigray (April 2003)
XIV. Humanitarian Access
General
Humanitarian access limited by conflict, government restrictions (October 2008)
XV. National and International Responses
General
UN and Regional Health bureaus deal with health problems (August 2009)
UN provides $6 million to alleviate suffering (July 2009)
Government agency helps in food distribution (August 2009)
National response (Special Report 2007)
National response is inconsistent and ad hoc (February 2006)
International response (Special report 2007)
International response
Coordination mechanisms
Reference to the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement
African Countries set to adopt Convention to provide rights to IDPs (June 2009)
Known references to the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (as of July 2004)
Recommendations
Recommendations of Human Rights Watch on Somali Region of Ethiopia (June 2008)
Recommendations of IGAD expert meeting, Khartoum, September 2003
Section 3
Causes of displacement
12. Tigray and Afar regions (Special Report 2007)
http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/F4BEA53AF54BD2DAC12573840035C320?OpenDocument
Tigray and Afar regions
Border with Eritrea: 62,000 still displaced as stand-off continues
Despite a history of shared struggle to overthrow the Dergue dictatorship, tensions between the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea – which regained its independence from Ethiopia after a 30-year armed conflict in 1993 – soared during the 1990s, escalating into all-out war between May 1998 and June 2000. The cause was a dispute over a particular section of their common border.
On the Ethiopian side, about 100,000 people were killed in the conflict and over 360,000 internally displaced, of whom 90 per cent were in the Tigray region and the rest in Afar region (GoE, 17 November 2000). Furthermore, Ethiopia deported tens of thousands of people identified as Eritreans, while Eritrea did the same to people identified as Ethiopians.
While most IDPs returned home after the June 2000 ceasefire, which was followed by the December 2000 Algiers Peace Agreement, an estimated 62,000 people remain displaced, in Tigray region, living mostly in host communities, with minimal external support. (Number based on estimates by various international sources.)
Ethiopia´s rejection of a border demarcation ruling, issued in April 2002 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration´s Boundary Commission, caused renewed tensions between the two states. Ethiopia eventually accepted the ruling on 29 March 2007. (UNSC, 30 April 2007, op. cit. p.7.) Active compliance with the border ruling is seen as the cornerstone of a long-term normalisation of relations between the two countries and the stabilisation of the region. However, border demarcation talks, held in The Hague in early September 2007, collapsed under mutual accusations of non-collaboration. (AFP, 8 September 2007; AFP, 10 September 2007.)
The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), formed in 2000 to monitor the ceasefire, was reduced by 2007 from 4,200 to 1,700 troops, and its monitoring activities along the demilitarised 25-kilometre Temporary Security Zone remain severely restricted. (UNSC, 30 April 2007, p.2.) The border demarcation activity, interrupted in 2003, has not been resumed, and the Addis Ababa liaison office of the Boundary Commission closed on 31 January 2007. (UNSC, 30 April 2007, p.5.) At the same time, tensions continued to mount in connection with the Somalia crisis. In April 2007, Eritrea suspended its membership of the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), claiming that its interests were no longer represented. (Government of Eritrea: Eritrea suspends membership in IGAD, 21 April 2007.) At the end of June 2007, Ethiopia announced that it was increasing its troop presence along the border, to "repel any attack by Eritrea". (AFP, Ethiopia bolsters army in border dispute: Zenawi, 28 June 2007.) Evidently, a renewed escalation of the border tensions could lead to significant new displacement in both countries.
In Tigray region and, to a somewhat lesser degree, in Afar region, insecurity and landmines in agrarian areas are the main concerns which prevent the remaining IDPs from returning home and becoming self-sufficient there. Landmines currently put at risk over 400,000 people living in the area bordering Eritrea, where most of the remaining two million mines from the 1998-2000 war were laid. Mines killed almost 600 people and wounded over 700 between 2001 and 2004, most of them in Tigray and Afar regions, and dozens of accidents are still reported each year. The government de-mining unit has continued to make some progress in surveying and de-mining of border areas, although UNMEE officials reported that new landmines were planted on both sides of the border with Eritrea during 2006. UNMEE itself has continued its de-mining efforts. (USDS, 6 March 2007; UNSC, 30 April 2007; IRIN, 18 April 2007.)
Tensions between the Afar and the Issa
In Afar region, long-standing tensions between the Somali Issa clan and the Afar continue to trigger sporadic displacement, but very little is known about the numbers, living conditions and protection needs of the people displaced. The Issa appear to be seeking to expand their territory to the fertile area around the river Awash. Insecurity caused by the conflict makes access to displaced populations difficult, particularly as both the Afar and the Issa are well armed. (SALIGAD, op. cit; Addis Fortune: Ethiopia: MoWR Alaydege Conflict Delay, 17 April 2007.)
Sources
Agence France-Presse (AFP), 28 June 2007, Ethiopia bolsters army in border dispute: Zenawi
Agence France-Presse (AFP), 8 September 2007, Eritrea blames arch-foe Ethiopia for collapse of border talks
Government of Eritrea, 21 April 2007, Eritrea suspends membership in IGAD
Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), 18 April 2007, Thausands exposed to danger from landmines
U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS), 6 March 2007, Ethiopia Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2006
United Nations Security Council (UN SC), 30 April 2007, Progress report of the Secretary-General on Ethiopia and Eritrea
Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page consists of excerpts of external reports and thus does not necessarily reflect the views of the IDMC. All excerpts are sourced. Links to online versions of the original documents are provided where available. The headline and bullet point summary at the top of the page are added by the IDMC. Other text added by the IDMC is in bold italics.
13. Tigray and Afar: Chronology of the military confrontations in border areas between Eritrea and Ethiopia, May 1998 – June 2000
http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/315339B81664AB0D802570B8005A72F4?OpenDocument
In May 1998 a military confrontation over the border town of Badme exploded between Eritrea and Ethiopia
The first battle took place between May and June 1998 over the three disputed fronts of Badme, Tsorona-Zalambessa and Bure
The second battle took place between February 1999 and June 1999 and Ethiopia recaptured Badme from Eritrean troops
In February 1999 waves of people were driven from their homes because of renewed aerial and artillery attacks in the border areas
Significant clashes on the Zelambessa frontline area in early September 1999, and armed skirmish between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces took place on the border near Bure on 23 February 2000
The heaviest Ethiopian offensive reaching deep into Eritrea took place in May 2000
HRW, 30 January 2003, p.17:
"In May 1998 the simmering border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia exploded in a military confrontation in the Badme area when Eritrea sent its army to expel Ethiopian troops stationed there and claimed the area as Eritrean. Weeks of skirmishes followed, and by early June the two former allies were at war.
The two countries battled on three fronts over the three disputed areas of Badme, Tsorona-Zalambessa, and Bure. Fighting took place in cycles: short periods of pitched battle alternated with longer periods of relative lull in which only occasional skirmishes took place. The first period of major battle took place from May through June 1998—followed by seven months of relative quiet during which both belligerents rushed to train hastilyassembled recruits and conscripts. During this period both countries also engaged in a flurry of new arms purchases. Eager international weapons suppliers supplied arms and military instruction, in often cases to both countries simultaneously."
UN January 2000, p.1:
"In May 1998 a border dispute in the Badame area escalated into a major military confrontation between Eritrea and Ethiopia. By early June 1998, the conflict had grown worse and spread into the ZalaAmbesa and Alitena areas in the Debub Region and into the Bure area, west of Assab, in the Southern Red Sea Region. The international airport in Eritrea´s capital, Asmara, was bombed, causing the international community to evacuate and the government to briefly close the airport. This conflict caused the first wave of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to flee their homes in search of safety."
HRW, 30 January 2003, p.17-18:
"When the fighting resumed in late February 1999, Ethiopia overran Eritrea´s defensive lines and recaptured the Badme area, the original flashpoint of the conflict. The Eritreans then repelled an Ethiopian offensive against the southern border town of Tsorona, in the central front, a battle that cost both armies thousands of casualties. This second cycle of fighting came to an end with the approach of the rainy season in late June 1999.
After repeated attempts by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to negotiate a truce failed, the fighting reignited with even greater intensity in mid-May 2000 when Ethiopia launched an attack that reached deep into Eritrean territory. Eritrea, apparently hoping to secure a quick cease-fire, withdrew its forces from all contested border territories and redeployed them within uncontested Eritrean territory. After another round of OAUsponsored negotiations in Algiers, Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a "cessation of hostilities" accord on June 18, 2000. Finally, the two parties signed a comprehensive peace agreement on December 12, 2000."
UN, January 2000, p.1:
"Intense fighting started up again in February 1999 along the Mereb-Setit front (Badame area) and quickly expanded to the Tsorona area, then spread again to the ZalaAmbesa and Alitena border areas. Aerial and artillery attacks upon civilians living nearby drove additional waves of people from their homes, to both rural and urban centers of the country, including the capital, Asmara, in greater numbers. The displaced people continue to stretch the capacity of existing public services, facilities, and infrastructure.
Adding to the humanitarian crisis, Ethiopia started, and is continuing, to deport people of Eritrean heritage. Over 67,000 deportees have been registered since the eruption of the conflict in May 1998 of whom over 28,000 are Rural Deportees."
UN CTE, 14 April 1999, p.1:
"In the aftermath of the heavy fighting that took place in the Badme area during February, the month of March [1999] began relatively quietly amid calls for a ceasefire and an end to the hostilities. Hopes for a quick settlement were raised for a while following the announcement by Eritrea at the end of February that it had accepted the OAU Framework Agreement. Ethiopia later made clear it would not agree to any ceasefire nor engage in negotiations regarding the implementation of the OAU framework until Eritrea agreed to withdraw its troops from border areas around Egala and Zelambessa-Aiga, on the so-called central front, and Bada-Bure along the eastern border.
The relative lull ended on March 14 with reports that new fighting had erupted on the front line a little to the south of the strategically important town of Tsorona. According to international media reports, following an initial period of shelling using heavy artillery, fighting escalated quickly over a two-day period with the deployment of ground troops, armoured vehicles and warplanes. Given the apparent intensity and limited geographical focus of the fighting, there are concerns that heavy causalities were suffered. The focus later switched back to the western front close to the Mereb river where a series of skirmishes or clashes were reported by the media in the vicinity of the Eritrean town of Shembeko. This latest period of fighting appeared to come to a close with the Ethiopian government saying that it had successfully countered an Eritrean attempt to recapture territory it had lost around Badme during the earlier fighting in February. There have been no reports regarding the situation in the Bure border area, which is adjacent to the Eritrean Red Sea port of Assab."
UN CTE, 10 March 2000:
"On February 23 [2000] an armed skirmish between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces took place on the border near Bure, some 70 kms from the Eritrean Red Sea port of Assab. The fighting was first reported by the Eritrean official media and later confirmed by the Office of the Ethiopian Spokesperson. The Ethiopian statement said that by attacking first and then blaming Ethiopia for initiating the engagement, the Eritrean government was attempting to deceive the international community. Eritrea claimed that Ethiopia was continuing a pattern of attacking whenever a peace envoy comes to the region.
The reports of fighting came after several months of quiet along the common border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The last significant clashes came on the Zelambessa frontline area in early September last year, and, according to Ethiopian radio reports, near the Jerbet river on the left flank of the Badme front in October. Even though there has been relative quiet along the border, the war of words between the two countries has continued unabated with Ethiopia pressing for the redeployment of Eritrean troops away from the remaining contested border areas and Eritrea accusing Ethiopia of preparing for yet another round of fighting. The enmity between the two governments became very evident during the UN General Assembly in October when the Foreign Ministers of the two countries made impassioned speeches condemning the other side and accusing the UN and international community of not doing enough to end the conflict."
UNICEF, 20 June 2000:
"After two years of sporadic fighting followed by months of stalemate, Ethiopia launched a major assault against Eritrea on 12 May 2000. During this offensive, Ethiopia entered through the western flank and moved deep into Eritrea capturing Barentu, the strategic regional capital of Gash-Barka. A number of other towns in south and west of the country, including Shambiko and Tokombiya were also captured. Fighting then shifted to the central border town of Zalem Bessa. Although Eritrea has announced the withdrawal of its troops from this contested city as part of its acceptance of the OAU Peace Accord, fighting continues in areas around Senafe, another city to the north of Zalem Bessa."
Sources
Human Rights Watch (HRW), 30 January 2003, The Horn of Africa war: Mass expulsions and the nationality issue
United Nations, 2000, "UN Country Team Appeal: Humanitarian Assistance to Eritrea"
United Nations, 14 April 1999, Situation Report for Ethiopia March 1999
UN Country Team Ethiopia (UN CTE), 10 March 2000, Situation Report for Ethiopia February 2000
Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page consists of excerpts of external reports and thus does not necessarily reflect the views of the IDMC. All excerpts are sourced. Links to online versions of the original documents are provided where available. The headline and bullet point summary at the top of the page are added by the IDMC. Other text added by the IDMC is in bold italics.
14. Tigray and Afar: Armed conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia displaced civilians living along the border, 1998-2000
http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/B728680BEF5AC0B4802570B8005A6DAB?OpenDocument
Areas up to 50 kilometers along the length of the border became closed military zones after outbreak of war in May 1998
Populations at risk within a corridor of about 40 kilometres from the respective frontlines encouraged to evacuate because of renewed fighting in October 1998
In May 2000, 15,000 persons fled their homes in northwest Ethiopia to escape retaliatory artillery bombardments by the Eritrean army
AI, 21 May 1999, sect. 2.2:
"Up to 600,000 people, mainly small farmers and nomads have been displaced on both sides of the border as a result of the fighting and areas up to 50 kilometres along the length of the border becoming closed military zones. Ethiopia has alleged that civilians have been tortured and forced to flee from their homes in the Badme area since Eritrea took control of the area in May 1998 and that Eritrea systematically destroyed property and looted churches in the disputed areas[…]. UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people have been displaced in Tigray province as a result of the conflict and 245,000 people have been displaced inside Eritrea."
UNDP EUE, 8 January 1999, pp. 1, 8:
"In late October [1998], the situation changed significantly following the Eritrean shelling of Shiraro [in Tigray]. Subsequently, the populations of several border towns began to evacuate as a precautionary measure, moving beyond the reach of artillery fire. Encouraged by the regional government, the people of Shiraro, Humera and Rama and to a certain extent also people from rural areas north of Enticho and Adigrat, started to move south of their respective home areas. With the hosting capacity of local communities having reached its limits by September, the new movements led unavoidably to the establishment of makeshift camps at various locations along Tigray´s northern belt (the official displacement figure was 315,000 by mid-December).
In conclusion it is perhaps interesting to note that the zonal authorities told the mission that the need for precautionary evacuation was only given to the populations at risk (within a corridor of about 40 kilometers from the respective frontlines) as a recommendation. Whoever wanted to stay, was (at least initially up to December) permitted to do so at his or her own risk. This explains why by the time of the mission´s visit towns like Humera and Shiraro were not totally evacuated. Furthermore, the zonal authorities told the mission that in West Tigray, but also in areas of Central and East Tigray considered to be exposed to the potential danger of air raids, civil defense measures were being implemented. More and more people have constructed bomb shelters by digging cavities into the ground which are then covered with heavy wooden poles and topped with soil. The mission visited such facilities in Shire and Adigrat and was told the same measures were being undertaken in Axum, Adua and Mekele."
USCR, June 2001:
"[In May/June 2000] An additional 15,000 persons in northwest Ethiopia fled their homes in May to escape retaliatory artillery bombardments by the Eritrean army in response to Ethiopia´s military offensive. No further new displacement of Ethiopian residents occurred after the two governments agreed to a cease-fire in June."
Sources
Amnesty International (AI), 21 May 1999, "Africa: Ethiopia and Eritrea. Human Rights Issues in a Year of Armed Conflict"
UNDP Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia (UN EUE), 8 January 1999, Evacuees from border towns in Tigray setting up makeshift camps (Mission: 9 to 18 December 1998)
U.S. Committee for Refugees (USCR), June 2001, Country Report: Ethiopia
Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page consists of excerpts of external reports and thus does not necessarily reflect the views of the IDMC. All excerpts are sourced. Links to online versions of the original documents are provided where available. The headline and bullet point summary at the top of the page are added by the IDMC. Other text added by the IDMC is in bold italics.
15. Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples region (Special Report 2007)
http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/FC5F6B8669AE80CFC125738400363A8A?OpenDocument
Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples region
Rising tensions among pastoralists in the fight for resources
In the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region (SNNPR) along the south-western border with Kenya and Sudan, armed cattle raids are becoming more frequent. (People are easily armed: According to one interviewee, one AK47 costs about one cow, which is very little, considering that one family owns thousands of cows. Interview, Ethiopia, February 2007.) The patterns of raiding and population displacement are complex, with population groups from all three countries crossing borders and displacing each other in turn, even though both the Kenyan and Ethiopian armies appear to have stationed troops along their borders. (According to one interviewee, the Kenyan Turkana have displaced the Sudanese Toposa, who have displaced the Ethiopian Surma who have in turn displaced the Dizi. Interview, Ethiopia, February 2007.) In the remote grassland region there is no infrastructure, no active government institution, and no international community presence.
Entire woreda populations have been displaced, specifically from Surma and Dizi woredas in Bench Maji zone. As many as 50,000 Kenyan pastoralists are reported to have arrived at the end of 2006, displacing between 25,000 and 32,000 people. (Interviews, Ethiopia, February 2007.) As reported by UN-OCHA in Ethiopia, the DPPA dispatched 512 tonnes of various food commodities in February 2007 to 27,580 conflict-induced IDPs in Amaro and Burji woredas. (UN OCHA Ethiopia, Humanitarian Bulletin, 26 February 2007.)
Sources
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), 26 February 2007, Humanitarian Bulletin
16. Afar: tensions between the Afar and the Issa (2007)
http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/9CF556D28E4A706FC1257379003D766E?OpenDocument
Special Report: Tensions between the Afar and the Issa
In Afar region, long-standing tensions between the Somali Issa clan and the Afar continue to trigger sporadic displacement, but very little is known about the numbers, living conditions and protection needs of the people displaced. The Issa appear to be seeking to expand their territory to the fertile area around the river Awash. Insecurity caused by the conflict makes access to displaced populations difficult, particularly as both the Afar and the Issa are well armed.
Sources
Addis Fortune, 17 April 2007, MoWR Alaydege Conflict Delay
SALIGAD (Small Arms in the IGAD Countries), July 2005, A Proposal for a Preliminary Assessment of the Viability of Undertaking a Study on the Problem of Small Arms Trafficking in the Gambella Area
Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page consists of excerpts of external reports and thus does not necessarily reflect the views of the IDMC. All excerpts are sourced. Links to online versions of the original documents are provided where available. The headline and bullet point summary at the top of the page are added by the IDMC. Other text added by the IDMC is in bold italics
17. Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region (SNNPR): Thousands displaced due to ethnic clashes in the southern region, 2002-2003
http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/3318A23CB9B100DD802570B8005A710F?OpenDocument
In Yeki District in the Southern Region ethnic clashes over the move of the Shekicho zone to the Gambella Region, killed about 800 people, displaced 5,800 and over 2000 homes were destroyed in 2002
Government refused to allow independent investigation
The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) criticized the EPRDF government´s ethnic policy for fuelling conflict in SNNP and displaced over 1,000 Dizzi people
USDS, 31 march 2003, Section 4:
"Ethnic clashes during the year resulted in a number of deaths, injuries, and the displacement of thousands of persons […]. For example, in January 92 ethnic Somalis were killed during regional clashes over grazing and water rights. Banditry and lawlessness continued to prevail in the region at year's end.
In March between 600 and 800 persons were killed during clashes between the Sheko-Mejjangar and Manja and the Sheka and Bench-Majjii in and around the town of Tepi, capital of the Yeki District, in the Southern Region. Government officials reported 128 deaths; however, the SEPDC reported more than 1,700 deaths. More than 2,000 homes were destroyed and 5,800 persons were displaced as a result of the violence. The clashes involved local officials and members of each of these communities, and resulted from the dissatisfaction of many Sheko-Mejjangar who had wanted autonomy following an unsuccessful attempt in 1993 to move the Shekicho zone from the Southern Region to the Gambella Region. The Government claimed to have arrested 41 policemen, 39 militia members, and 11 administrative officials for their involvement in the clashes. However, the Government refused to allow an independent investigation of the incident and put the Federal Police in charge of the government's internal investigation."
IRIN, 12 March 2003:
The Southern Nations and Nationalities People´s Region:
"Ethnic conflict is "spreading like wildfire" in Ethiopia because the government is failing to tackle the problem, according to a national human rights organisation. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) urged the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) to crack down on tribal clashes. In its latest report, the organisation laid the blame for recent troubles between the Surma and Dizzi tribes who live in southwest Ethiopia at the door of the government.
The latest clashes in the Bench and Maji zone occurred after a member of the Dizzi tribe was killed. In a revenge attack, two Surma were killed. The nomadic Surma then carried out another attack on Dizzi groups living in at least four local districts. More than 1,000 Dizzi tribe members fled their homes and some 31 people were killed in the clashes which broke out last July [2002], according to the report.
"The ethnic policy pursued by the EPRDF government badly undermined the culture and tradition of mutual respect and concern that held the two tribes together for years on end," the report said. EHRCO said that groups carrying guns in areas where ethnic clashes occur should be disarmed and that elders should be used to calm down tensions. It also said that talks between the Dizzi and Surma tribes could ensure "an environment of mutual respect, peace and tranquility"."
Sources
Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), 12 March 2003, Ethiopia: Government blamed for ethnic conflict
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 28 February 2003, FAST Ethiopia Quarterly Risk Assessment, November 2002 to January 2003
U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS), 31 March 2003, Ethiopia Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2002
Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page consists of excerpts of external reports and thus does not necessarily reflect the views of the IDMC. All excerpts are sourced. Links to online versions of the original documents are provided where available. The headline and bullet point summary at the top of the page are added by the IDMC. Other text added by the IDMC is in bold italics.
18. IDPs around Addis Ababa (August 2003)
http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/598FE3676C822B70802570B8005A6DA5?OpenDocument
About 15,000 people remained displaced around Addis Ababa as of August 2003
17,000 people of Eritrean origin displaced before Eritrean independence settled in 11 camps around Addis Ababa receive no assistance
UN OCHA-EUE, 1 August 2003:
"A residual caseload of an estimated 3,000 IDP families/15,000 persons currently residing in temporary shelters in Addis Ababa is also categorized under conflict induced IDPs. The group fled from the seaport of Assab during fighting between the Ethiopian army and EPLF fighters to control of the port before Eritrea formally gained its independence."
RNIS No 39, October 2002, p.8:
"It has also been reported that about 17,000 IDPs who were settled in 11 camps near Addis Abeba have been asked by the government to move. They came from Eritrea before its independence and they haven't received any help for sometime. Despite being given money by the government as compensation for moving, some of the IDPs who had moved out returned to the camps. They were too frightened to live on the streets once they had spent the compensation money. The Ethiopian Human Rights council has condemned the decision to close the camps (IRIN, 12/09/02)."
OCHA, 31 August 2002, p.26:
"There are at least 11 camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) housing more than 17, 000 people around the capital Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian government has cleared 3 camps and given notice that those in the remaining 11 camps must leave by September 19th. Many of the camps´ residents fled from Eritrea shortly before independence in 1991."
Sources
United Nations Sub-Committee on Nutrition (ACC/SCN), 31 October 2002, Report on the nutrition situation of refugees and displaced populations - Issue No. 39
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia (UN OCHA-EUE), August 2003, Note for the file - Clarifications on IDP figures in Ethiopia
Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page consists of excerpts of external reports and thus does not necessarily reflect the views of the IDMC. All excerpts are sourced. Links to online versions of the original documents are provided where available. The headline and bullet point summary at the top of the page are added by the IDMC. Other text added by the IDMC is in bold italics.
Note
Picture: Regional distribution of the IDPs in Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
From: http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004BE3B1/(httpInfoFiles)/1315D6047B29B7CA8025709F0052EE89/$file/ethiopia_IDP_distr_may05.gif
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