04/01/2021 – News and Commentary – Tigray War

Tigray conflict renewed. Sudan refugee crises spiked. 

“The flow of Ethiopian refugees fleeing an armed conflict in Tigray into Sudan has increased over the past few days as the violence has flared up, Sudanese authorities said on Monday. … The number of those fleeing due to the armed conflict, which was renewed between the two parties in recent days, has increased … A total of 61,458 Ethiopians have entered Sudan since the conflict broke out in early November.”

Source: La Prensa Latina

Access to Tigray remains restricted. UK deeply concerned.

“We are deeply worried about the risks the conflict poses to civilian lives and Ethiopia’s overall stability. … Access to Tigray remains restricted.”

Source: African Minister, James Duddridge MP

Interim Mayor of Mekelle admits presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray

“Interim Mayor of Mekelle city, Ataklti Haileselassie, admits presence and participation of Eritrean forces in Tigray war” amid consistent denial by officials both in Addis Ababa and Asmara.

Source: Addis Standard

Amhara police chief admitted preparations already completed before the war brokeout on November 4

Amhara region police chief, Commissioner Abere Adamu, reveals how region’s police force guided federal steel-clad mechanized forces to join “war” in tigray.

Commissioner Abere also revealed that Amhara regional state had “already done [its] homework,” and “deployment of forces had taken place in our borders from east to west. The war started that night after we have already completed our preparations,” he told an audience to several rounds of applause.

Source: Addis Standard

A tripartite talk on GERD resumed, negotations to be held on January 10, 2021.

A tripartite talk on Renaissance Dam resume amid political tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia and border conflict between Sudan and Ethiopia. This week’s talks will pave the way “for the resumption of tripartite negotiations on Sunday January 10 in the hope of concluding by the end of January”, Sudan’s Water Ministry noted.

Source: DW

Sudan boycotted the tripartite ministerial meeting today

“Sudan boycotted the tripartite ministerial meeting held on Monday to discuss the disputed issues regarding the Ethiopian Dam. The meeting was held in the presence of water resources ministers from both Egypt and Ethiopia. … Sudan boycotted the meeting after it had received no response to its call for a bilateral meeting with the experts and observers of the AU on Sunday.”

Source: Daily News Egypt

“Never miss a good chance to shut up.” ― Will Rogers

 “An advisor to occupants of the prime minister’s office for over two decades, Arkebe Oqubay, is vying for the top job at a UN agency.”

Source: Africa Intelligence