THE WORLD

Image: Nest box for Columba guinea (considered a symbol of peace) in the wall of a homestead in Zerfenti, a village in Tigray where hundreds were killed by Derg bombings. CC BY-SA 4.0

Uncertainty Stalks Ethiopia, the Tigray Region and the Horn of Africa

Compiled by EEPA

BRUSSELS (IDN) – A video has emerged of the head of the Ethiopian Northern Command, General Belay, saying that the Eritrean Soldiers in Tigray had not been invited and were undesirable. It is the latest statement by an Ethiopian Federal official which confirms the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray.

General Belay is blaming the TPLF for starting the conflict and stopping the ENDF from guarding the border against Eritrean intrusion. Eritrea has provided major support to ENDF (Ethiopian National Defense Force) during the invasion of Tigray. This has been confirmed by the Ethiopian government as well.

: Africa & ME Editor; THE WORLD; Horn of Africa; 07 January 2021

Photo: A test of a U.S. thermonuclear weapon (hydrogen bomb) at Enewetak atoll in the Marshall Islands, November 1, 1952. U.S. Air Force

The Nuclear Weapon States Urged to Advance Disarmament

By Bernhard Schell

AMMAN (IDN) – The upcoming Review Conference (postponed to August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is expected to be characterised by deep divisions among the nuclear-weapon states (NWS), and between them and the non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS), which are deeply disappointed with the lack of progress towards nuclear disarmament despite commitments laid down in the NPT and made at past NPT review conferences.

: Bernhard Schell; ARMAMENTS; Nuclear Weapons; 06 January 2021

Photo: The Place du Luxembourg/Luxemburgplein in the European Quarter of Brussels (Belgium). View of the European Parliament (western side), including converted station entrance in front, with statue of the industrialist John Cockerill in the foreground. CC BY 3.0

There Is A Silver Lining in The Cloud of Brexit

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power*

LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Writing in 1751 Voltaire described Europe as “a kind of great republic, divided into several states, some monarchical, the others mixed but all corresponding with one another. They all have the same religious foundation, even if divided into several confessions. They all have the same principles of public law and politics unknown in other parts of the world.”

: Jonathan Power; OPINION; 05 January 2021

Photo credit: Tens of thousands of refugees have crossed the border from Ethiopia to Sudan, fleeing conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. © WFP/Leni Kinzli

UN Concerned Over the Situation of Refugees from Tigray

Compiled by EEPA

BRUSSELS (IDN) – The US Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin is due to visit Khartoum on January 6. The aim of the visit is to review the economic situation, as well as the US assistance to Sudan. Mnuchin will also visit other countries in the region such as Egypt, Qatar and Israel.

The UN estimates that more than 322,000 people are Internally Displaced (IDP). The provisional Tigrayan government reported yesterday that it believed there were 2.2 million IDPs.

: Africa & ME Editor; THE WORLD; Horn of Africa; 05 January 2021

Photo: In the DRC, the MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade has taken measures to boost hygiene to help slow the spread of the virus. CC BY-SA 2.0

Most Africans Will Not Receive Corona Vaccine This Year

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – Countries across Africa are hunting for deals to obtain COVID-19 vaccines at affordable prices, but their limited funds will cover less than half of their citizens. One estimate places access to a vaccine at one person out of 10.

According to a report in The Hill, a U.S. news website, 9 out of 10 people in nearly 70 poor countries will not get a COVID-19 vaccine this year due to government funding shortfalls.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 04 January 2021

Photo: NUM general secretary David Sipunzi. Picture: Nokuthula Mbatha/African News Agency (ANA) Archives

Unionists Grieve the Demise of South African Labour Leader

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – The family of comrade David Kolekile Sipunzi has confirmed the passing of the leader of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). The announcement was made by William Mabapa, deputy general secretary of the black workers union.

Mabapa called Sipunzi a unionist dedicated to fighting for the rights of employees.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 04 January 2021

Food Insecurity and Drought Threaten Ethiopia as Armed Forces Withdraw from Rural Areas in Tigray

Compiled by EEPA

BRUSSELS (IDN) – Clashes between Ethiopia and Sudan ended, after the Ethiopian army withdrew last week away from the border. Several sources say that the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) are retreating from rural areas in Tigray towards the capital Mekelle. This corroborates other sources.

Fighting continues to take place around Mekelle. Shelling has been observed near Hagere Selam, 50 kilometers from the regional capital. Civilians are afraid of ENDF soldiers as they are said to take revenge on civilians after losing a battle.

: Africa & ME Editor; THE WORLD; Horn of Africa; 04 January 2021

Photo: Chinese UNAMID peacekeepers (file photo) Credit: UNAMID/Albert Gonzalez Farran

Unease as UN Peace Mission in Sudan Ends and Ethiopian Soldiers Return Home

Compiled by EEPA

BRUSSELS (IDN) – The TPLF is keeping control of mountainous areas in Tigray. As many analysts predicted when Mekelle was taken, the ENDF has had difficulties driving the TPLF out of well entrenched mountain positions.

The ENDF has launched an offensive towards Samre, East of Mekelle.

Meanwhile, cruelties against civilians are reported. These include forcing relatives to commit incest on women and girls under the threat of arbitrary execution.

: Africa & ME Editor; THE WORLD; Horn of Africa; 03 January 2021

Photo: The United Nations Security Council Chamber in New York, also known as the Norwegian Room. CC BY-SA 2.0

India Has an Ambitious Agenda as UN Security Council Member

By Devinder Kumar

NEW DELHI (IDN) – With the start of the New Year, India joins the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member for the eighth time. Along with Norway, Kenya, Ireland and Mexico, India will have a two-year term: 2021-2022.

Of the 15 UNSC members, five occupy a permanent seat. They have the right to veto resolutions: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

: Devinder Kumar; THE WORLD; South Asia; 02 January 2021

Things Getting Complicated for Ethiopia

Compiled by EEPA

BRUSSELS (IDN) – Multiple sources state that Eritrean soldiers are blocked in attempts to leave Tigray. Heavy fighting between Ethiopia National Defence Forces (ENDF) and Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) is taking place near the major roads out to Eritrea. This has stopped the Eritrean transfer of looted goods out of the region.