Ethiopia’s main opposition party has accused the federal government of obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons at Hitsats and other IDP centers in the Tigray region.
In a statement issued over the weekend and addressed to mediators of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities agreement, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) blamed the federal government for “false claims,” “active obstruction” and not resolving “root cause.”
The Federal Disaster Risk Management Commission recently accused the TPLF of diverting the humanitarian aid that has been destined to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Hitsats and other IDPs centers.
It said TPLF has been diverting the food aid, preventing it from reaching the people who need it most,” stating the alleged practice as part of TPLF’s a long-standing malpractice.
According to unverified reports, over 300 people have died of hunger in the IDP centres since July last year.
The TPLF said the federal government has intentionally been obstructing food aids, criminalizing relief organizations; social media activists and blocking funds from the Diaspora community.
Another key accusation from the TPLF is that the federal government failed to return IDPs to places in accordance with the Pretoria agreement.
The government, however, accuses the TPLF of impeding the return of IDPs and “holding them as hostages for political purposes.”
The TPLF wants return of IDPs with armed groups to places like Wolkait and Raya – areas which TPLF annexed to Tigray after taking central government power in 1991. Residents in those localities reject the return of armed groups to the areas.
MG/as/APA