Tigray-Ethiopia Accords: Time for US to Standup

 Forever wars are not great diplomatic goals. They are destructive, waste lives, livelihoods, and fortunes. The war between Tigray Liberation Front and her once allies Ethiopia and Eritrea has been one of the most horrific the world has seen. Human rights abuses have mounted on both sides. Sexual assault has taken a macabre and evil twisted form of both war punishment and military tactic. This even though all three military forces do have females in their ranks. For the past few years. Children have been starved killed and run. Medical and food supplies have been cut off. Electricity to run the most elementary human needs have been cut off. Thousands have been run to southern Sudan. The only reason the war has been ignored is because somehow the color of skin has been become an acceptable way to hide.  Finally, after negotiations. Negotiations held in South Africa under the utmost secrecy a truce has been signed between Ethiopia and Tigray. The war has officially ended.  With the help of the African Union the fighting will eventually cease. The problems, and there are many, have not been solved. Most important is that food shipments will begin. Thousands suffering from malnutrition and food insecurity will be aided. Most of these are children. 

            Perhaps the greatest problem is Eritrea. Eritrea is still fighting. The reason most political analysts say is because Eritrea was not a party to the accords. It is hoped that Eritrea will cease fighting. However, for now it does not seem that they have paid much attention to the cease fire. It has been reported that Eritrea has killed 111 civilians. In addition,103 have been wounded. “There are reports of extra-judicial killing of civilians, injuries, kidnapping, disappearances, destruction of houses and widespread looting by the occupying forces,” the report said. This has caused a concern because of the vulnerability of the individuals killed. According to an article in Bloomberg, “Getachew Reda, a senior TPLF member, said on Twitter this week that Tigray forces “are doing everything to honor their part” of the peace deal but “Eritrean forces are still on a rampage, killing children and women at will, ransacking, destroying and looting property.” Mr. Reda on a separate interview also stated he was willing to support the accords even though there have been abuses and attacks by the Eritrean forces. 

            On the bright side, the World Food Program has reported that it has sent 2400 metric tons of food to the region and 100,000 liters of fuel. In addition to the aid provided. The people have begun a campaign to end the fighting by engaging in protests. In Tigray, children took part in a peace protest to stop the fighting between the combatant nations. One of the children said she was glad the peace accords were signed so she could go back to school. The parade took place in Mekele, a regional capital in Tigray. One citizen hoped for the benefits of peace, food medicine and education for the children. These are the things that can be achieved in an atmosphere of peace. Schools in Tigray have been closed for two years since the fighting broke out in 2020. The children led by the local police force musical band staged a march with signs in support of peace. Much like the woman in Liberia who were able to end the war in their country it hoped that those forces who are still fighting will cease hostilities. There were 600 participants in the Peace for All Carnival, a celebration organized by the Tigray Development Association and the locally renowned Circus Tigray. About 200 children participated performing martial arts skills and other circus acts. 

            Perhaps in this carnival is the answer for the United States of America. Giving peace a chance seems a better solution to its diplomatic problems throughout the world. Surely a nation with 1.3 million troops can afford to do so. It would decrease the burden of spending on its taxpayers. It would clean up the negative neocolonial aspects of its imperialistic policies. Besides how much oil, precious metals and gems can we afford to steal. Why exploit people? Especially Africans when they have so little. Could we gain from a strong united Africa? Could we gain something from peace and prosperity? I believe we could. 

 

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