ENDF convicts soldiers "working with" TDF as Tigray war takes shape

Pro-Govt militia receive training near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, last week — Eduardo Soteras/AFP/Getty

ADDIS ABABA - The conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia seems to be far from over, following the latest disciplinary actions taken against a number of Ethiopia National Defense Forces [ENDF], after days of military trial in the Horn of Africa nation.

According to the Addis Ababa Standard, the Southern Command Military Court has passed a guilty verdict on members of the army who were accused of working for Tigray Defense Forces [TDF], an outfit that has been at loggerheads with the federal army.

State media also reported the incident, saying that the members of the armed forces were accused of “violating their commitments to the constitution and their country, endangering the entire activities of the army and strengthening the Tigray Special Forces.”

Wednesday's court trial against members of the federal army was the second incident. The army usually tries those accused of various crimes, and the victims are usually given a fair hearing according to authorities in Ethiopia.

On August 06, judges who presided at the Western Command First Instance Military Court sentenced members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force [ENDF], described by state media as “Tigrinya Speaking”, and who is accused of conspiring with the TDF to attack ENDF.

The army members were charged with treason for many of the crimes they were accused of and were sentenced to death and life imprisonment. They cannot be able to appeal the sentences.

In Wednesday's verdict by the Southern Command Military Court, the judges passed the guilty verdict against the suspects who are accused of involvement in various allegations including “handing over the army’s secret documents to the Tigray Special Forces, preventing the army from providing the required military services, and organizing a secret group to destroy the army’s equipment.”

...claiming that Tigray Special Forces are defeating “prosperity soldiers” by inciting Tigrayan army members to abandon their cause and become part of their criminal activities, is part of the accusations defendants are facing

They were further accused by Military Court further of “preventing army equipment from providing the required service; providing information in advance to ‘Shene’ on the army’s moves to eliminate terrorists and to ensure that the mission does not achieve the desired results; making secret operations of the army available to terrorist organizations.

Also, they are accused of ignoring the task assigned to them by relevant authorities and focusing only on ways in which they can carry out the hidden agenda of terrorist organizations; claiming that Tigray Special Forces are defeating “prosperity soldiers” by inciting Tigrayan army members to abandon their cause and become part of their criminal activities; engaging in activities that benefit regional state Special Forces rather than their national agenda.”

The defendants denied all the allegations against them, while the Military Court’s legal team provided documentary and human evidence, the report said.

Defendants’ attorney, on his part, asked the Military Court to consider lessening the sentences, given that the defendants were members of the military who had discharged their responsibilities of serving their country.

According to the Southern Command Indoctrination and Public Relations Directorate, After hearing the arguments from both sides the Military Court passed the guilty verdict against the defendants and remanded them in custody.

Fighting has continued to escalate in the Tigray region following TDF's decision to close into Amhara and Afar territories in recent months. Reports indicate that the ENDF in the company of the Eritrea troops is planning an assault against the TDF in the final move to "vanquish" the rebellious troops.

GAROWE ONLINE