One Day Seyoum Statement On The War In Tigray (update from 9 Nov 2020)
The Executive Team of One Day Seyoum unequivocally stands against the on-going violence in Tigray, Ethiopia’s northernmost region that borders Eritrea. It’s been over 100 days since the conflict between Ethiopia’s federal troops and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) erupted. Since then, it has been confirmed that the Eritrean army and Amhara regional forces are fighting alongside the Ethiopian federal troops and that different militias are fighting on both sides.
There are no words to describe the amount of horror and anguish felt amongst the ODS Executive Team and our membership community as we witness the harm that the fighting parties are inflicting as well as the systemic barriers to aiding those affected most by the conflict.
In these testing times, it is crucial to remember to distinguish between political leadership and the people. The Tigray people should not under any circumstances suffer because of the alleged or committed actions of their leadership and the Eritrean people, refugees specifically, should not be blamed for the alleged or committed actions of their leadership as well. The Eritrean dictatorship - spanning the existence of the Eritrean state - has never reflected the will and perspectives of its people. This being said, ODS is horrified by the actions of Eritrean soldiers in Tigray and condemn it in the strongest possible terms.
ODS’ priority over the course of the war has been to call for an end to the fighting, campaign for full humanitarian access and fundraise for Eritrean refugees who have fled Tigray. We have also consistently stood in solidarity with Tigrayan voices and initiatives calling for peace and justice, and will continue to do so until peace and justice in the region prevails.
The communications blockage in the region has made it even more important for us on the outside to speak up. We therefore urge our entire community to get involved as much as you can.
RESOURCES:
Amnesty International Action Demanding Full Humanitarian Access To Tigray
IG Live: ODS in conversation with Omna Tigray
GoFundMe: Help Eritrean Refugees Who Have Fled Tigray
GoFundMe: Medical Aid For Rape Survivors in Tigray
Omna Tigray: Online Resource and Advocacy Center
Make Injera Not War: 100% of proceeds from their shop’s sales go to humanitarian organizations operating in Tigray