By Bida Elly David
The Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan has over the weekend reiterated his country’s commitment to aid the implementation of the peace roadmap and appreciated President Salva Kiir Mayardit for being among Presidents in Africa that advocate for peace amid the conflicts in Ethiopia.
This development came following a press meeting over the weekend with journalists regarding the ongoing conflict between the government of Ethiopia and the TPLF opposition group.
Speaking to the media over the weekend, the Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan Nebil Mahdi congratulated President Kiir, the citizens and all the signatories to the peace agreement over the latest progress on the graduation of the unified forces.
He said what happened was a clear indication that the country through their leaders was in position to experience everlasting peace and development while calling on stakeholders to freely support the implementation of the roadmap with much of their interest.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the people of South Sudan and all the signatories for the positive development happening in the country especially for the last few weeks, the President has proved his commitment for peace and prosperity to the people of South Sudan through the fruitful and effective graduation of the unified forces. We as friends of South Sudan and all IGAD Countries voted yes for the approval of the roadmap. Ethiopia is committed to the implementation of this roadmap, and we call on stakeholders to support the implementation of the roadmap” he said.
Nebil underscored concerns regarding the on-going conflict between the Ethiopian government and TPLF rebel forces that recently involved recruitment of young people to carry aggression against the regime.
He said that TPLF rebel group has been engaged in destabilizing the Country through the help of Ethiopian enemies and called on the international community to condemn TPLF’s initiative of recruiting young people for aggression.
“The TPLF have been forcefully recruiting young people preparing them for the third round of conflict. This recruitment of children for war is internationally forbidden and the international community needs to condemn this act.
The Ethiopian ambassador to South Sudan said that the rebel group over the past weeks continued their aggression as they attacked some major parts of the Country jeopardizing the deliverance of humanitarian assistance to the needy.
He pointed out that they figured out countries that have been positively supporting TPLF rebel group with arms and other logistics to gain potential towards their aggression against the government.
“TPLF rebel has been engaging in destabilizing Ethiopia by the help of the enemies. TPLF attack relaunching, pushing the peace force aside and has further continued to intensify. TPLF has expanded its aggression to various areas of AMHARA and in all, only two regions in Northern Ethiopia jeopardized access to humanitarian assistance,” he pointed.
Nebil also said that nothing would deter Ethiopian government from discharging its constitution from protecting its people from threats and other casualties.
“I want to make sure that nothing will deter government from discharging its constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and the livelihood of all Ethiopians wherever they may be in defending Ethiopian’s sovereignty and the territorial integrity. Additionally, this TPLF has been threatening to wage war through the duration of the humanitarian tress. The humanitarian tress was unilaterally decided by the government of Ethiopia and was later peaceful for the last five years,” he said.
He reiterated that TPLF have been using young people as their shield without even giving them arms.
He requested those supporting TPLF rebel forces to refrain from that act for the sake of being neighboring Countries with equal political mandate as well as demand for quick intervention of the external community.