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12 – December – 2000: The Day Shačbia Outwitted EPRDF/TPLF
By Asghedom Ghebremichael

In Ethiopia’s modern history, December 12, 2000 will occupy a very important chapter. This is the day when Ethiopian military, political, and economic victories that would have reaffirmed Ethiopia’s glorious history and ushered regional peace and stability, were aborted. Despite its humiliating defeats at all battle fields in the hands of the Ethiopian Defense Forces (EDF), Shačbia outwitted EPRDF/TPLF in the legal and diplomatic international forra. Meles Zenawi, by a stroke of a pen and a handshake with Isaias Afeworki, declared Ethiopia landlocked nation. Her historic high profile status, as an ancient independent nation – a mother of African independence - was violated and degraded. This nation of glorious history and bravery has never been betrayed by its true sons and daughters; has never been subjected to a betrayal of this magnitude.

The so-called Algiers Accord is a historic blander committed against Ethiopia. The unpatriotic and self-serving behavior of Meles & Co. is unparalleled betrayal. Until the recent decision of the so-called Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC), many – including this writer – were not sure how the Ethiopian case was presented. Now, it is a public secret that Shačbia outsmarted EPRDF/TPLF. The EEBC, in its recent strong and seemingly final statement, “Observations”, has solidified its “Delimitation Decision” by making assertions that clearly undermine the way EPRDF presented the Ethiopian case. For example, the Commission writes:

“Since, as the Parties have expressly agreed, the Commission’s Delimitation determination is “final”, the demarcation has to be the demarcation on the ground of the boundary as delimited in the Delimitation Decision, not a variation of that boundary or elaboration of some new boundary.”
  1. “The Commission is, as already noted, constrained by the terms of the December 2000 Agreement.”
  2. “The boundary laid down in the Delimitation Decision reflects the Commission’s assessment of the evidence of conduct presented by the Parties.”
  3. “The Commission observes that its finding that the boundary under the 1902 Treaty had been crystallized along the line of the traditional signature means that the burden rested upon Ethiopia to substantiate any claimed departure from that line on the basis of conduct that would serve to show that Badme village (which lies close to the line) was subject to Ethiopian control. The Commission referred specifically in the Delimitation Decision (paras 5.92 – 5.95) to the evidence produced by Ethiopia. It noted in particular that Ethiopia had introduced no evidence in its opening pleading (its Memorial) of governmental activities west of that straight line;…………………………”
 

The Algiers Accord is based on the Terms of Cessation of Hostilities that were signed by Meles in June 2000. Meles & Co. committed this blunder when the Ethiopian heroes and heroines were scoring shinning victories in the battle fields. The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement stipulates enforcement in the following terms:

“measures to be taken by the international community should one or both of the Parties violate this commitment, including appropriate measures to be taken under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter by the UN Security Council” (emphasis mine).


That means the UN will take military action against Ethiopia, if any Ethiopian government defies the Agreement. Hard to believe, but it is a fact: a fact of betrayal. Many were not sure what to make out of the Isaias-Meles handshake until the above discussed recent clarifications of the EEBC. The clarifications revealed collusive construction of future events, such as the war’s compensation, demarcation etc. The Ethiopian heroes and heroines were denied victory over an enemy that insulted and ridiculed them for years. Why? Is it true that Meles and Isaias had made secret agreements in the 1980s (during the war against Dergue) to dismember Ethiopia into enclaves equal to or less than the size of Eritrea? Many Ethiopians aired this notion of Isaias - Meles “collusive deals” after Shačbia invaded Ethiopia. In my piece, In Defense of Woyane Tigrai, I challenged that argument, because it undermined the true spirit of Woyane. I argued that neither Meles nor any group of the TPLF Politbureau had an ownership right of Woyane Tigrai. It was and still is the Tigraian masses that own it. Woyane is a mother and spirit of the Tigraian struggle against oppression and injustice. The peasantry, the workers, the teachers, and the students paid dearly in the name of Woyane. Its torch will be passed on from generation to generation for eternity. The goals and objectives of Woyane remain to be based on the historic fact that Ethiopia is Tigrai and Tigrai is Ethiopia: no Tigrai without Ethiopia and no Ethiopia without Tigrai. Secret deals of self-serving individuals will never change this historic truth.

Eritrean Independence

Fundamental questions remain unanswered about the never-ending Eritrean independence saga. Did Ethiopians approve the referendum for Eritean independence, which was conducted in the heart of Ethiopia? No, they did not approve it. Because, EPRDF did not even bother to consider a “faked” plebiscite. Ethiopians were placed in darkness: They were denied their Rights and Freedoms to register their voices about the destiny of their nation.

Even many Eritreans continue to express their disgust about the manipulative nature of Shačbia. Many of them say that they were cheated. In order to grab political power, Shačbia did not explain what the referendum was all about. If they were told that it meant losing Ethiopia for good, with all the privileges they enjoyed, more than 80% of them would have marked on the ballot “NO” to secession. In effect, EPRDF and EPLF agreed to rash the referendum process, while the Ethiopian socioeconomic and political climate was so chaotic. Shačbia took advantage of the chaos it created in Ethiopia, in collaboration with EPRDF/TPLF. Most importantly, the referendum was conducted in an atmosphere of fear, disinformation, manipulation, and intimidation. Accordingly, the Ethiopian and Eritrean people have the right to call that referendum null and void. In short, it was an illegal process.

To the absolute dismay of Ethiopians, it was under these circumstances that Ato Meles Zenawi fired an urgent letter to the United Nations (UN), declaring Eritrea an independent country, as Isaias Afeworki expected him to do. The UN had no reason to object or to ask any question for that matter, but to accept the letter from the head of state, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. By this monumental act, Meles Zenawi betrayed Mother Ethiopia. What followed is even worst. Meles gave Shačbia full-free-ride in the Ethiopian socioeconomic fabric and in issues that had to do with Ethiopia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Before daring to invade Ethiopia in May 1998, Isaias made sure that Ethiopia was defenseless. The Ethiopian naval force was completely eliminated, effectively shutting down Ethiopia’s strategic gateway to the international waters of the Red Sea. The air and ground forces were almost completely demobilized.

Thanks to Meles & Co., Shačbia had full access to the Ethiopian security system and to the national economic infrastructure. Obviously, because possessing full information is power, Shačbia felt that Eritrea was more powerful than Ethiopia and invaded Ethiopia. It succeeded to occupy Badme, Zala Ambesa, and many border areas. Shačbia’s air force penetrated the Ethiopian skies and cluster-bombed Ayder Elementary School. Children and their parents and many who struggled to save them were massacred. Shačbia’s propaganda machine incessantly spewed its venom day and night. Isaias Afeworki became a regional hero and star of the gullible Western media. Isaias was continually on the air and on TV belittling and demeaning Meles & Co. The behavior of the Western media, including the well-respected BBC, was amazing, but not surprising. The West always searches for a political goon who can be a regional puppet to protect its geopolitical sphere of influence.

The following are three examples of the venom that was spewed by Isaias & Co. when they had Badme and its environs under their occupation:
    (1) Demeaning and insulting the Ethiopian heroes and heroines, the Shačbia clique collectively bragged, “One can of insect spray for a thousand flies, and one cat for fifty mice”.
    (2) “We shall breakfast in Sheraro, have lunch in Endaselasse Shire, and dinner in Mekele”
    (3) Haile Menkerios, the then mouthpiece of Isaias at the UN, said, “We shall put them where they are, it won’t be difficult to bring them down”. …..”It will not take us more than two weeks to march into Addis. The problem we are facing at the moment is not how to defeat Ethiopia, but who to hand the reigns of government to”.
The barbaric actions and pompous attitude of Shačbia angered every Ethiopian and galvanized the historic patriotism of Ethiopians. From every corner of their nation, Ethiopians stood united ready to go to the war front. Ethiopia, a country of bravery, unmatched nationalism, and glorious history prepared herself to surprise the world. The Central Command (CC) of the EDF started the meticulous planning process to teach the enemy unforgettable lessons. The Ethiopian blitzkrieg started in earnest. Swift and lightening victories were achieved thanks to the brilliant military strategies of the CC and the willingness of the heroes and the heroines to sacrifice their lives. To start it all, the historic military operation, a mother of all victories, “Operation Sun Set”, ushered in the liberation of Badme in less than four days of February 1999. Just a year after that, between May and June 2000, all Ethiopian territories that were under the administrative authority of Tigrai were liberated in less than three weeks. The boundary line of the Province of Eritrea was drawn. The enemy’s military machine was rendered useless for all practical purposes.

But, wait a moment and think. We Ethiopians know these shinning phenomenal victories, which surprised friends and foes alike, were not scored without price. Ethiopia paid dearly. Quoting EPRDF’s official records, the BBC Monitoring Service reported on April 10, 2001 that the number of Ethiopian sons and daughters who perished in the battlefields was 123,000. This is a very high national price to pay. But, why? Well, history will tell. Let us hope to read and hear it all.

After all that sacrifice, Ethiopia is very serious this time around. Shačbia appears to have understood the seriousness of the Ethiopian people. In an attempt to outwit Meles & Co. again, it Shačbia is begging the international community for mediation with Motherland, Ethiopia. But, as far as the 12-December-2000 Isaias-Meles signatures and the handshake remain undone, no mediation will work this time. Lasting and mutually beneficial peace, stability, and development can be achieved only after all the outstanding issues are legally resolved. The so-called Algiers Accord, which was constructed on ancient, illegal colonial treaties, is null and void. As far as Ethiopia is concerned, it is dead and buried.

By the way, it should be clear at the outset that there are numerous legal cases against Isaias & Co. that must be resolved before even the question of delimitation and demarcation is even contemplated. Milosovic & Co. are being tried at the International Court of Justice for war crimes. Why not Isaias Aferworki & Co. for the crimes against humanity they committed?

Long Live United and Strong Ethiopia

AG
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