Letters
Open Letter to Global Humanitarian Leaders: Please Have Some Shame.
Published
2 years agoon
By
Alem BerheDear David Beasley, dear Martin Griffiths
Dear Linda Thomas, dear Samantha Power,
Dear Antonio Guterres, dear Michelle Bachelet,
I apologize for addressing you without your respective titles. It is because you do not deserve them. There is no point sugarcoating it at this stage. Collectively, the lot of you are an ignominy to the word ‘humanity’ despite all claims and titles crowning you as the moral and legal leaders of the current global order. Not only are you indifferent to the suffering of oppressed minorities, but you are also the frontline enablers of contemporary atrocities and crimes against humanity. Before I address your failure to halt, even minimally, the annihilation of a whole 7-million people in Tigray, let me first confirm that you are blatant racists, pseudo-moralists, and virtue-signalers, who hide behind terminologies of “aid”, “human rights”, and “unity”, while simultaneously empowering aid obstruction, genocide, and discrimination. It is easy to look back at history and express nostalgic revulsion at the horrors of the Darfur Genocide, the Rwandan Genocide, the Srebrenica Massacres, the Cambodian Genocide, or the Holocaust – the list goes on. It is much more difficult to look at your own selves and reflect on how YOU are enabling a multi-faceted genocide against Tigray which you have been nonchalantly yawning at the past 21 months. We will write down each one of your names as the world’s humanitarian leaders who watched a whole nation perish simply because they lacked the will to impartially stand in solidarity with innocent children, women, youth, and elders. Albert Einstein rightly said, “The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who do not do anything about it.” He was right; he was talking about you.
Today, on 26 August 2022, the Ethiopian government carried out an indiscriminate airstrike in Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, targeting a daycare center by the name of Res Kids Paradise. Up until this hour, three children, two women, one teenager, and an unidentified body have been confirmed dead by doctors at Ayder Hospital. Rescue teams are still dragging dismembered bodies of children torn in halves and quarters like loaves of bread, and gathering bits and pieces of human bodies from the debris of the fallen structure. Today, the Ethiopian government turned Res Kids Paradise – a name insinuating a place of hope and peace for our toddlers – into hell. And I mean hell in an almost literal sense, with fire scorching our toddlers from above and mutilating them to their untimely deaths. This, in addition to the war on Tigray which has claimed the lives of 500,000 Tigrayans. As if living under man-made famine, as confirmed by your colleague Mark Lowcock, was not enough. As if a whole population being completely cut off from the rest of the world through a willful communications black out was not enough. As if a whole nation being shut off from accessing its own banking services and savings through a deliberate obstruction of its economic and social rights was not enough. As if a whole population cut off from electricity and water, from food and water, from its basic and essential services, in complete breach of the first tenet of humanity – the right to exist! – was not enough. And by the way, when I say a population, I am talking about SEVEN MILLION INDIVIDUALS! Tigray is not suffering one form of malign. Tigray is suffering a combination of all the unconscionable crimes a rational mind cannot fathom.
As the beacons of contemporary morality, what has your reaction been? Tweets and petite press briefs expressing phony concern! And here I kindly have one request. Because you are obviously not concerned, if you could at least do us the favor of holding truth as the highest moral element and keeping quiet! The façade of your claimed humanity is truly exhausting. Leave the concern to those of us who have not spoken to our mothers, fathers, siblings, children, and spouses, for the past 21 months. Leave the deep concern to those of us who can support our families yet have to watch them starve from afar because you fail to hold the Ethiopian government accountable for besieging its own citizens. Leave the concerns to those of us discovering the death of our families through online news articles, recounting how their hands were tied behind their backs to be thrown in the Tekeze river and to be later found on the other side of neighboring Sudan. Leave the concern to those of us who watched the Ethiopian forces burn our brothers alive in the 21st century as they celebratorily shared it on social media. In today’s Ethiopia, killing a Tigrayan is a rite of passage and a sign of machismo. And it has become a rite of passage because the international community – led by the likes of you – have allowed it. If you are indeed the gatekeepers of morality, please lock yourselves behind those gates and save us your consternations. We are especially appalled at the inaction of respected individuals like Samantha Power, a powerful leader acclaimed for her authorship of “A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide” – a book on the history of global inertia in the face of mass atrocities. There is a Problem from Hell as we speak and you are contributing to it. On 29 September 2021, Martin Griffiths, the UN Humanitarian Chief called the situation in Tigray “a stain on our conscience”; a year later, it is still unclear what the international community has done to lighten this stain, let alone eliminate it. The heart wrenching aspect of it all is that some of you dare to claim that your parents and grandparents survived historical oppression, while you, their daughters, and sons, allow it to happen to our children.
Yesterday, the Chief of the World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, followed by a chorus of other world leaders, expressed false outrage at an alleged theft of fuel from the WFP’s premises by the Tigray government. It was immediately clarified that the fuel was an amount that was hospitably loaned to WFP and rightfully reclaimed. It was loaned to the WFP while the Ethiopian government deliberately blocked the organization from replenishing its stocks as part of its imposed blockade on Tigray – a situation about which we are yet to hear any outrage from the WFP Chief. The global outrage was ironic and even comical for two reasons. Firstly, it is comical that respected leaders of global institutions threw tantrums because WFP was obliged to return what it owed – which in any global space would be a fair transaction. The fact that WFP’s Chief called it “theft” is also implicitly racist, because of course, how can a besieged minority loan an esteemed organization some fuel and have the audacity to reclaim it! Secondly and most importantly, however, Beasely and its cohorts’ outrage was ironic because none of them have expressed a similar level of outrage at the fact that Tigray has been in a humanitarian blockade and siege for the past 21 months. Instead, Beasley, an individual mandated to save lives through the delivery of food services in acute emergencies, chose to make a political statement and shame the dignified will of Tigray to survive at a time of need. What he should have done is speak out against the besiegement and starvation of SEVEN MILLION individuals, as is stated in his job description. And while the fuel incident triggered name calling and shaming, the airstrikes that led to the deaths of children were simply overlooked with insouciant calls for restraint on both sides – although it was clear who the aggressor and the victim were. Perhaps, the values of things have changed in the 21st century and the memo has been circulated? The memo that declares that human lives have become less worthy than commodities themselves – has anyone else seen it? Sometimes, it is almost as if the suffering of Tigray is a nuisance to the world; that our refusal to silently die has become an annoyance to be leveled with. In any case, because Beasley is an evangelist who no doubt is blindly appeasing his counterpart Abiy Ahmed in ‘evangelist solidarity’ – let me leave this here. Myself a Christian, I advise him to heed the words of His Master, whom he claims to believe. “Indeed, they bind heavy burdens that are dreadful to bear and put them on people’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them…. You are blind guides who filter out a fly and yet swallow a camel.” It would befit Beasley, and his cohorts, to stop filtering out the fly – such as borrowed fuel – and focus on the camel – the planned wiping out of 7 million Tigrayans, as confirmed by his colleague Peeka Haavisto and the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, as stated by Dr. Tedros.
I have not included any political statements in my letter, nor is it addressed to political leaders. It is addressed to the humanitarian community. I am aware that there are those who will read my letter and say, “but the TPLF.” The word “but” in a genocide and siege is just a genocide-enabler, nothing else. You can use the conjunction “but” all you want next to the Rwandan Genocide or the Holocaust, as was explicitly done at the time, yet they do not change the lives and identities we pointlessly lost. And I have deliberately not included political statements to remind you, global leaders, what you have forgotten. You have forgotten that these are people – just like you, just like your beloved children and families – that are perishing. They have dreams too; they have goals they want to and can actualize. And they did live in one of the most peaceful and developing regions in Ethiopia before war came upon them. Yet, they are now perishing collectively, indiscriminately, without any sense of individualism, in a pot of your indifference and empowerment. Stop fanning the pot that is killing our people. Lift the cap and let our people breathe. You have the means and leverage to do so. If you choose and decide not to, at least save us the semblance of pity. We can do that just fine on our own. Have some shame.
Sincerely,
Alem Berhe is a humanitarian specialist with many years of experience supporting vulnerable populations in East Africa. Previously, she served as a research specialist for various organizations focusing on the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). Alem has an MA in International Security and a BA in International Relations.
Luke Berhe
September 22, 2022 at 5:37 pm
This suppose to be addressed to “TPLF” not to any one else.
T
September 21, 2022 at 12:46 am
I hope that my comment is not too late.
What Alem wrote is in each of our hearts as verifyable truth. What worries me is that it is being lamented among ourselves.
The question for me is, how do we get the world to read what Alem has written, and ignite their hearts/minds so that they can KNOW, FEEL & CARE again about matters pertaining to this genocide? It’s an act that can only be done by those without a soul and a crearture without a soul is not human. It is evil personified. It is sad to watch so many so called educated &/or Western residing supporters of the “soulless perpetrators” (soulless = without a soul). I would like to introduce this term into our vocabulary. It is a necessary term to distinguish these “creatures” from the innocent young people whose minds they are poisoning with hate towards Tigray. The term is “SOULLESS PERPETRATOR (SP)”. Their names should always be preceeded or followed by “SP” as a title.
As for the IC & global leadership, let it suffice to say that are not only enablers of genocide but cheerleaders for the SP. Again, how do we change their hearts & help them to see the light & help those who are suffering?
Lets not let this powerful piece by Alem go silent. Lets keep circulating , posting & re-posting it.
Roza
August 28, 2022 at 11:42 pm
Stop Tigray Gonocide
Salem Kidane
September 9, 2022 at 11:02 pm
Stop Tigray Genocid
tewolde hakin
September 21, 2022 at 9:15 pm
Stop Genocide In Tigray
Roza
August 28, 2022 at 11:41 pm
Stop Tigray Genocide
Eden Takele
August 28, 2022 at 7:25 pm
Tigray is under genocide, the world must stop the ongoing genocide Tigreans are also human beings.
Ezana Asfaw
August 28, 2022 at 10:41 am
They are all criminals and corrupt. Genocide like this has never been seen in the history of the world and I don’t think it will happen in the future in any other nation. They should be ashamed of themselves for choosing to remain silent.
Ezana
August 29, 2022 at 7:51 am
Shame on the entire IC’s
Sol
August 28, 2022 at 5:04 am
World’s humanitarian leaders, ACT NOW to stop #TigrayGenocide and teach us that the NEVER AGAIN is real.
Lily
August 28, 2022 at 3:20 am
In the Name of humanity. How do you sleep at night when you know this horror is happening in Tigray!!!!
History is going to judge you!Shame on you!!!!
Mary Berhan
August 27, 2022 at 10:43 pm
Alem Berhe, you have written a perfect letter speaking truth to “power.” How did these false people ever get such important positions where they could wreak destruction on humanity?
Oh, yes! We have been warned that it is the devil who rules the world.
We can see this for ourselves- just open our eyes and observe what is happening everywhere. Look up to the sky and see that our politicians are allowing us all to be attacked by planes that spray us with life destroying chemicals. Those are chem trails NOT water vapor.
All humanity is affected by this quiet genocide because most people are not paying attention. It has been decided by those who are in power that there are too many people using the earth’s resources and millions must be eliminated. Don’t believe it? Research the government documents especially from the U.S. and U.N.
And this Tigray genocide will not remain silent any longer despite the Ethiopian,Eritrean and Amhara governments’ attempts to hide it and despite the shameless collusion of the so-called “international community” so perfectly exposed by Alem Berhe.
Dereje
August 27, 2022 at 6:18 pm
What a letter and to the point!! They all are enablers of Genocide. Humanity matters for them when the victims are Caucasian.
Alech
August 27, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Please stop the war in Tigray 🙏
Zerai Gebreselassie
August 27, 2022 at 2:45 pm
These ass wholes don’t give a single fuck about any of us but their corrupted disgusting bellies man! I hope they all burn in hell for letting those innocent children of Tigray die.
Selam Nur
August 27, 2022 at 8:11 am
We are on our own. Right now Tigrai belongs to no camp, hence the target of distraction. The Tigrai negotiators were unbelievably naive enough to trust the forked tongue bureaucracy of the US who were just preparing them to capitulate under the full weight of the West.
Tha stage was set by Trump & the US evangelists who crowned a con artist with no formal education to lead one of the most complex regions in the world. Biden continued the doctrine. The Arabs want our land; Egypt wants our water. US wants to be the CEO.
To seriously deal with the West, one must be a 3 year old who says NO to everything. Tigrai leadership you were too trusting & you would not let us help.
HIRUT
August 27, 2022 at 5:30 am
Please act now. These are innocent children that are in need of aid. For 600 days have the Tigrayan people been oppressed, for 600 days have they endured the pains of this war. So please act now.
Tedros
August 27, 2022 at 4:56 am
As an #AmericanCitizen myself I valued human rights before anything and at the same point I don’t accept any one who hold office or organization called him/herself an American who don’t stands for human rights anywhere else in the globe period . For example , #TigrayGenocide ? The people of #Tigray are dying every seconds and need help and every human deserves same protection . #TigrayPrevails and God blessed America all the time .
Atkelte
August 27, 2022 at 4:01 am
Stop Tigiray genocide,save the children, save my mothers and my fathers, my sisters and brothers.
Wedi tsion
August 28, 2022 at 9:18 am
Act naw be fast pless
Workie
August 27, 2022 at 3:44 am
Stop #Tigraygenocide
Habtom
August 27, 2022 at 3:09 am
Stop tigray Genocide
zingo
August 26, 2022 at 10:36 pm
Oh really? you are lucky you sit in comfy west and send the poor tegaru to die for a few thugs and rapist of tigray, you are a sad soul the people you wrote have giving you al l the support you need but true to form as you don’t have any aspiration or end game of your thuggish behaviour, you pointing your finger to others!!! how sadistic and vile individuals you are. you lost all you have and ended up sending poor kids to their death.
Dawit
August 27, 2022 at 12:04 am
You know, you don’t have to embarrass yourself, in front of the world. Can’t you at least keep your ignorant opinion and no so good behavior hiding?
Fesseha Gebru
August 26, 2022 at 10:16 pm
It is morally unacceptable for the whole world for giving a lip service and blind eyes to the Tigray genocide that been going for the last two years. So, am begging and crying out loud to those of you with power to use your office to stop the genocide in Tigray and to save an innocent life. Thank you!
Hibret Nigusie
August 26, 2022 at 10:13 pm
Stop Tigray Genocide
Amine Reda
August 26, 2022 at 9:55 pm
Tigray is under attack children and civilians bombarded by The Ethiopia regime
Amine Reda
August 26, 2022 at 9:53 pm
Stop #TigrayGenocide #BidenActNow #TigrayCantWait
Tad
August 26, 2022 at 9:19 pm
The Organizations that were instituted to safeguard humanity are now led by enablers of genocide and human right atrocities around the world!
Fteh lehulachen
August 26, 2022 at 8:38 pm
I cannot stop crying feeling sorry for Tigray reading this Article. Gosh, how much injustice and cruelty has Tigray tolerated thus far? Hard to believe when I see it summarized like this. Thank You for standing for justice!
Kalayu
August 26, 2022 at 8:06 pm
Childrens are dying by air attack @mekelle
Mikael
August 26, 2022 at 7:33 pm
Please act now. Stop Tigray Genocide
Abby
August 27, 2022 at 3:18 am
Please act now. stop Tigray Genocide
Meazu T
August 27, 2022 at 4:41 am
Children are dying by airs tricks, let’s heart for them.
yaecobe
August 30, 2022 at 6:39 am
The world has forgotten to the people of Tigray and have no choices except to Resist and fight against genocidal war which impose by#Ethiopia#Eritrea Regime. Over all its aim & objective is to break the siege. Both the regime of Ethiopia and Eriterian are commited gross crime aginst humanity , they used starvation as a weapon and all western leaders and UN agencies are steel kept silent and gave deaf ear to the people of Tigray. History Will judge
Peace between Ethiopia & the Tigray regional state it can also be reached
If the total siege is broken immediately and indefinitely ?if the Amhara militias withdrew
Form western Tigraya immediately
If the Eritrean troops and the amhara militants alongside regime Army withdrew immediately
From Tigray ” unless and other wise
The people of Tigray have no Chioce.
dying in Hunger is worse than dying in fighting
TDF is fighting against all odds.
The people of Tigray are facing real
existential threat the US have have the power to help and stop the genocide happening in Tigray. The ultimate choice left is to
fight injustice,
Tigrayans are fighting for their justice.
#tigraywillprevail