22/03/2022
APP Statement on the Situation in Afar
The tragic and devastating war in Afar engulfed by heavy artillery bombardment of civilians in the northern Afar Region by the TPLF aggressors, has heighten the humanitarian crisis is alarming and needs to be addressed. The Afar Pastoralists are subjected to War crimes and crimes against humanity everyday with impunity by the TPLF Invading forces.
It's ironic that the Federal government of Ethiopia clearly denied the suffering of Afar Pastoralists with absolute negligence and abandonment and it's also surprising, how the Regional government is toothless to say a word of truth about the atrocities and crimes committed against the very people it supposedly represents.
It's also important to recall the deaf ears and blind eye of the International community on the heinous crimes and violations of basic human rights against children, women, elderly and persons with disabilities by the TPLF agression.
Since early January of this year, nearly 700,000 people have been displaced from the north Afar , some of them have died on their way to the IDPs centers, there is no any information whatsoever on whereabouts of family members, animal herds and their entire livelihoods have been totally destroyed.
The intentional distraction and Absolute Property damages including residential homes, schools, health facilities, waterways and whales, shortages of food and fuel, interruption of telecommunications, electricity and blocked of all kinds of roads leading to the northern part of Afar Regional state only shows, not single wire of human values left in the circle the invaders.
According to sources, the IDPs have forced to death by hunger and lack of water already and obviously, no one is really concerned about them including the Regional authorities due to disinformation of the state media outlets.
The Afar People's Party is therefore calls upon all whom it may concern:
1. The local and International humanitarian agencies Must understand the sense of urgency and the dire humanitarian situation in the Afar region. It's important to take in to consideration that the Afar people in the north are facing a situation where the mothers left their children alive on their way to IDPs centers. The acute medical condition of weaker patients, lack of food and malnutrition is higher. We call upon local and international organizations to involve in life saving humanitarian assistance immediately without any delay.
2. We urge the federal government to stop blaming the victims of Afar with regards to the humanitarian access to Tigray region through the Abala corridor , while there are more than ten entry points to Tigray other than Afar region. If the government is committed to help Tigray, it should not be at the expense of Afar in the first place. This time, It seems the government is stabbing the Afar heroes from behind to blind fold the International community.
3. We once again remind the TPLF expansionist and aggressors that they should immediately withdraw from Afar land without any conditions. TPLF should understand that winning against Afar Pastoralists yields no fruit of victory for it's impossible to permanently defeat them.
4. The Afar people should mobilize themselves in order to host the fleeing families, defending their land and reputation and unite against all odds to cover the loopholes created by the irresponsible administration authorities who supposed to safeguard the safety and security of it's civilian citizens. The old habits of dividing up the youth of Afar is also un acceptable.
5. It is not and has never been late for peace and reconciliation of proper manner to end the suffering of Ethiopian citizens all over the country through genuine, all inclusive, transparent and honest National dialogue, where by, if not all ,at least the major differences could be addressed and consensus would be achieved.
Afar People's Party
Samara, Afar
March 22,2022
