• Abiy said for more than two years, the federal government opted for maximum restraint even though it was being criticised by its citizens including the parliament.
• There are fears the conflict could lead to civil war, which could also destabilise neighboring countries.
Image: REUTERS
Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday said Ethiopia cannot exist without the rule of law.
While defending military operations in Tigray, Abiy said the operation aims at ending the impunity that has prevailed for years.
The PM said the Federal Government of Ethiopia was compelled to undertake a law enforcement operation to defend and protect the constitutional order and uphold the rule of law.
Earlier in the week, Abiy ordered a military offensive to subdue a long-running separatist movement in Tigray state, following an alleged attack on an army base.
He accused the region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), of launching the attack and trying to loot military assets.
He said through the instrumentality of a state of emergency, with the utmost care for the overall well-being, safety and security of the citizens in the regional state, his government will see through the law enforcement operation it has commenced.
"The rule of law, especially in federal arrangement requires that both regional states and federal governments respect the constitutional division of power. It is in accordance with the constitutional provisions and its duty to enforce federal laws across the whole country that the Federal Government is undertaking a strategic operation to end impunity and criminality," he said.
Abiy said time has come for the international community to understand the context and the consistent transgressions by the TPLF clique that have led to his government undertaking the law enforcement operation that aims to once and for all put an end to impunity and forces aimed at destabilising the country as well as the region.
"Ethiopian people have paid a huge price thus far for the criminality of belligerent cliques. Now we all deserve peace and stability," he said.
He added, "There should not be any mistake made in treating the Federal Government as equals with criminal groups".
Abiy said the constitution mandates the federal government to uphold the rule of law and to that task, he remains committed.
The PM accused fugitives within the TPLF whom he said are determined to trigger an armed conflict by attacking the northern command of the federal armed forces stationed in the Tigray region earlier in the week with an intent to take control of its mechanised weaponry and capability.
He said a few days before the attack, the regional leadership publicly declared that they can dictate terms regarding personnel changes and movements of the northern command, compromising the National Defense Forces.
Abiy said for more than two years, the federal government opted for maximum restraint even though it was being criticised by its citizens including the parliament for not taking more measures to apprehend the fugitives from the law that have been operating in the Tigray region.
"Unfortunately, the responsible and restrained approach of the federal government was perceived as weakness by the fugitives.
He said when the general election that was scheduled for this year was postponed to 2021 due to Covid-19, the TPLF doubled down on their unconstitutional assertion.
According to him, in blunt violation of the law, TPLF adopted its own illegal electoral law, an illegal electoral commission and conducted an illegal election in which it won all the seats in the regional council.
"The illegal acts did not end there, they undertook a massive military build-up with the objective of intimidating the Ethiopian people and government. Siphoning off funds aimed at aid and development, TPLF has been preparing for this eventuality since 2018. They organised and drafted irregular militias, not even sparing underage recruits," he said.
On Friday Ethiopia's parliament voted to dissolve the government of Tigray region, amid the dispute which has escalated into armed conflict.
In an emergency session, parliament declared the Tigray administration illegal and voted to replace it.
There are fears the conflict could lead to civil war, which could also destabilise neighboring countries.
The leaders of Tigray dominated Ethiopia for many years until Abiy came to power in 2018 on the back of anti-government protests and curbed their influence.
They say they have been unfairly targeted by purges and allegations of corruption, and say Abiy is an illegitimate leader because his mandate ran out when he postponed elections due to coronavirus.
The UN has called for a "de-escalation in the fighting".