Why the World Ignored the 21st Century's Deadliest War: A Warographics Analysis
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
- Discover the truth behind the deadliest conflict of this century, the Tigray War, and learn how global silence and a media blackout allowed this atrocity to go unnoticed.
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People simply assume Africa is constantly in a state of war there is always some kind of conflict going on. That’s why there was such a surge in media attention to the Ukraine war because a big war rarely happens in europe but in Africa civil wars occur pretty frequently
African wars also don't often cause massive ripple effects that can be felt across the globe given most African states aren't that connected to trade
I think its because most civilians died from hunger and disease not bombs and bullets. If you look at the death toll of the 380k to 600k dead, only 8600 troops from both sides died (and thats the high estimate based on either side’s claimed kills). Meaning not much combat happening but deaths from farmers being displaced, water sanitation systems broken or destroyed, and UN food aid blocked.
The strange thing is that historically, Europe is the global ground zero of long horrible wars. The last 80 years are very atypical for Europe, and it's primarily a result of NATO. NATO allies can not have military conflict with one another or any border disputes - so Europe has been largely and uncharacteristically fairly peaceful, comparatively, for 8 decades.
@@dx-ek4vr that’s actually a really good point
Many Africans say the war in Ukraine isn’t their problem but it send food and energy prices soaring which they’re hit by the most. What global effect has come from Tigray war? Small increase in migration to EU…
My guess is because a lot of people just think Africa is perpetually at war, so when "another" war happens a LOT of people just go "ah again? Huh ok". I've only heard of this war in passing myself and I follow military stuff quite closely. That alone is kinda shocking I didn't know it was THIS bad.
There were similar attitudes towards Europe circa 1914
@@yourwifesboyfriend6081 yeah I dont doubt it.
There is not an easy narrative to get behind. Unlike Ukrainians fighting for freedom, this just seems like Africans murdering one another over petty ethnic differences.
Probably another large part is that most people died of lack of access to food and healthcare as a result of the fighting, rather than dying directly in the fighting. The deaths in Ukraine and Syria have been overwhelmingly due to enemy action.
Politicians aren't laundering money there
And here I thought Tigray was more of a skirmish type of war. I never knew it was that big. Like some have said here in the comments, wars on the African continent have become a usual thing we tend to pass it by... either lack of information or a proper understanding being the main reason. Its so sad to learn all this, thank you Simon for the story.
I'm going to be honest, I've seen some photos of political officials related to this war in suits, in offices, clean shaven and proper, and it just... surprises me. I think my education growing up in the early 2000s has etched into my mind this idea that Africa is still all tribal people living in huts, sometimes with AK47s and are always without food, water, electricity, and are always at war. Seeing some Africans being so... civilized and in buildings that aren't very different from first world buildings is indeed a pleasant surprise, but a surprise nonetheless.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Ethiopia committed an unjust genocidal war on the people of Tigray. The most embarrassing crime committed by Ethiopia was when it paid a neighboring nation over a billion dollar to send over 100 thousand soldiers and help wipe out Tigray from the world map.
"The best weapon of a dictatorship is secrecy, but the best weapon of a democracy should be the weapon of openness."
Niels Bohr
I remember being interested in the growing possibility of a conflict there. After it broke out I tried to stay updated on it but couldn't. There were no photos or videos and almost no one was talking about it so I concentrated on Ukraine. Its devastating finding this out.
When it did break out I remember plenty of Ethiopian saying there was no Civil War. There was no war. I’m guessing a lot of people saw that and went “if you say so!” And left them alone.
Internet access makes all the difference for public attention.
There is no WiFi in the desert
Exactly the same for me. There was an attempt, but short lived :(
Al Jazeera has been reporting on that conflict for a while now from ehat I remember...
I'll be 100% honest. What you've described is horrifying.
I didn't even know there was a war. This is the first time I even heard about it. The epidemic seemingly drowned everything else out.
Tracking global conflict and current events comprises roughly a quarter of my job and I didn’t even know the scale was this great. Frankly the geopolitical affairs of Ethiopia doesn’t really impact my organization, so it was never a top priority, but we at least try to keep a finger on the pulse of any conflict. The media blackout was impressive, we’d occasionally get reporting of atrocities being committed, but otherwise it was radio silence.
it was a perfect storm of pandemic travel restrictions and world events stacking up left & right, I remember hearing about it starting but you never really could get any actual information about what was happening.
Yeah... that's really fucked up... do you want more? No, of course not, but, realistically, the situation in Tigray/Ethiopia/Eritria isnt really an outlier, here (sorry):
-Azerbaijan and Armenia
-The civil war in Sudan (both the old one and the new one happening NOW)
-The neverending clusterfucks in Haiti, Somalia, Papua, the Balkans, El Salvador, Columbia (which is actually getting a lot better! ...after 60 years. Ugh.)
-Abkhazia and Georgia (as well as Ossetia)
-Northern Syria and Iraq and what Turkey is doing to the Kurds (F'n genocide!)
-Chechnya (sp?)...
...
...
....AND the very WORST THING HAPPENING ON EARTH RIGHT NOW (imo), the unequivocal cultural, religious, social, economic, and racial HOLOCAUST happening in Xinjiang province in China.
Concentration camps, Re-education centers, SLAVERY, an absolute suppression of any and all human rights- MILLIONS locked up and terrorized by a superpower: detained with exactly zero rights and no legal recourse, ONLY because of their race and religion- with the stated goal of EXTERMINATING their thousand-year-old culture, religion, and way of life.
Yet it gets even less coverage than Tigray. Because nobody values human rights enough to kick the hornet's nest of oppression, corruption, and, yes, evil, that is China under Xi.
Look it up. (Again, sorry, but it'll fuck you up... it just sucks and there is nothing that can be done if people don't know what's happening... Orwell's 1984 reflected the ideas of an AMATEUR of opression.)
@@yourwifesboyfriend6081
What do you think about the nightmare in Xinjiang? Imo, it's far, far worse. Fn concentration camps, slavery, torture re-education, the efficient planned extermination of a racial identity, a culture, religion, way of life, etc...
(I dig yer screen name, BTW... lol... nice!)
@@bholdr----0 It’s genocide by definition, but also an information blackhole that makes it difficult to get an exact read on the situation. What has come out of Xinjiang is appalling but China’s economic and military strength, along with the CCP’s stranglehold on the nation, makes it impossible to affect any change.
I was aware of the war going on both when it started and when it escalated, but due to both the blackout and an Ethiopian friend literally telling me the war was rather small and unimportant, I mostly ignored it. I had no clue it had been this terrible.
Oh it was really bad lol.
You're friend was obviously not Tigrayan. We're the only ones who cared until it spread. It was a horrible war and more disgusting that all Ethiopians we're rooting for it to happen.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Next time you hear about anything , you must listen and understand from both sides !
I appreciate your channel covering this war as no other media outlets seem to be doing so. Thank you.
I knew the Tigray War was going on, but information was so spotty that I assumed it was a small conflict in terms of numbers of combatants. That it was more of an insurgency, with the kinds of atrocities you would expect from ethnic militias fighting it out with governmental forces.
I consider myself pretty up on modern affairs, so it disturbs me that such a massive conflict was effectively hidden.
Thanks for talking about it.
Yup, exact same here, I barely heard of it and also thought it was a small conflict, and I too pride myself on staying on current events and pointing out events not getting much attention. Scary how little coverage even online it got.
I had heard of the starvation a few months ago I had confused it with the famine in the 1980s, not realizing it was a modern issue. When I then learned it was something happening now, the media still wasn’t informing that is was because of such a bloody conflict.
I am not from Ethiopia but understand how much ethnic rivalries run deep inside african society....so I always had the feeling that entire point of this war was for Ethiopian gov to 'teach a lesson to the tigrayns'....more or less same theme as in in Rwanda.
It was never a war about land or resources but a war for wiping/subjugating one ethnicity by rival ethnicity.....such wars always are way bloodier than ones done for resources.
I tried to follow it as it happened, but no one was covering it, at least not in any language I speak. Until now the scale of it was hard to get a good grasp of.
Don't trust Algorithms. get a daily summary that covers world affairs, and investigate anything that looks like its "remote". That's how I found out about this war and stayed up with it.
It's sad that Tigray war was ignored, but there are a few reasons for that.
First off, the media landscape is kinda crowded these days, and the competition for attention is fierce. Unfortunately, this means that distant conflicts, like the one in Tigray, can be overlooked. People tend to focus on stories that feel closer to home or have a direct impact on their lives.
Second, the Western media often has a "bias" towards stories from Western countries, particularly those involving politics, celebrity news, or high-profile crimes. It's not necessarily a conscious thing, but it means that conflicts in far-off places like Tigray might not get the airtime they deserve.
Another factor is that the Tigray War involved a lot of complicated issues, and these can be hard to explain in simple terms. As a result, media outlets may have felt that it would be difficult to engage their audiences with this story.
Lastly, access to information about the Tigray War was limited. The Ethiopian government restricted access to the region, making it difficult for journalists to cover the conflict directly. This lack of firsthand information might have made the media less inclined to focus on it.
The only reason is no one cares
A clear and precise analysis, well done.
Your last point is explicitly addressed in the video.
I think there is another point. The tigrayan war was more like a local war, despite it's horrendous death toll, with little direct larger geopolitical implications world wide. That is the opposite of the Ukrainian war, (nevermind DeSantis).
Dont forget that Tigray was essentialy a civil war, an internal conflict, which doesnt really concern the western politics and public. Besides humanitarian aid there is not much we could or should do
I am pretty sure that media in Africa don't focus on the Ukraine war or other western stories as much either, everyone cares more about things that are closer to them
Thank you for everything you do. For me you have been so informative over the years, you have helped nurture my love for learning. In a world where unfortunately my immediate family has fallen into disinformation/conspiracy it has been very lonely for me as a sole island of reason in my social world. People like you give me a sort of "friend", it allows me to hear from other like minded people. It helps me remind myself that I am not a mistake or problem, but I am a unique person with gifts that should be celebrated and not shamed. Thank you again, I wish I was in a spot in my life where I could donate to your channel. Thank you Simon for being there for me without even knowing you are.
Great video and spot on. The main reason the Tigray War was obscure is that Ethiopia did not want the war covered and the conflict area otherwise is a brutally difficult place for a journalist to sustain access. When you think about what Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Tigray are generally like, the reason becomes clear.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
This is what I love the most about this channel. It gives attention to places most media sources would never touch. Would love to see a video on the sahel or Cameroon one day
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
I think the few casual observers who heard about this conflict had the response of: “Another civil war in Africa? What is it a day ending in Y?”
Combine this with the media focusing unilaterally on news relating to the pandemic; such as current case numbers, measures the government was taking to try and limit the spread, and how bad certain groups are for doing the obviously wrong thing because they’re evil and bad.
War in Africa is about as newsworthy as California being on fire. No one cares.
Those damn wrongthinkers!
Anti-establishmentarianism finally payed off!
Simon is absolutely right about the information blackout. I personally had no idea there was even a war going on in Ethiopia, much less how badly it was, because all that I heard, from my own national media, for the past 3 and a half years, was "Pandemic, Taiwan, Ukraine, more Pandemic, January 6th, Roe v Wade, and did I mention Pandemic???"
Yeah, this. I was vaguely aware of a war over there, but in my mind East Africa is perpetually in a state of famine, war and human rights violations. If this in was South Africa or north Africa, I'd have paid more attention.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Crazy that this video is the first I've even heard of this conflict at all. Thank you guys for covering this. Even though it's obviously an atrocious tragedy, everyone should know about it.
Rest in peace to those that passed away.
Africa has, historically, been forgotten by the world. This war, along with the Sudan 2023 civil war, just proves this sad reality. Another great video.
It doesn't help that Ethiopia doesn't really impact the global energy or food markets. People care when it hits their wallets or impacts them directly / indirectly.
I have to agree sadly!But I am shocked because I was led to believe that the most deadliest war since world war two was the Congo war from the late 90's and its still going on! Yet that doesn't get much news time anymore as we are not talking 600000-800000 but more 4-6 million! The Congolese war is by far the worst and yet hardly a whisper. 🇬🇧
i mean your average african also doesnt care what happens outside their own country/continent. Its just naural for humans
Media won't care when it's black on black violence happening. In fact they will try to cover it and low-ball the facts because they don't want to "misrepresent" these places. If it's white on black violence tho...
Thanks for shining a spot-light on this sad event, it shouldn't be ignored.
So right - thank you for covering this
Your speech at the end, Simon... well said. Well said!
Disingenuous: Africa has said with no uncertain terms that European intervention isn't wanted, right up until that Junta wants backup. Like Haiti this is for them to sort out.
When did Haiti ask for help.
A big part is no one realized it was as big as it was because of the media blackout imposed by the Ethiopian Central Government combined with Ethiopia's isolation and none of the world powers really having a vested interest in any side. Also Ethiopia is a country of more than 120 million, a bigger population means casualties can build up surprisingly quickly, and the worst part is it could easily have been worse. If the sides had had access to weapons of the sophistication that are used in Ukraine they'd likely have added a zero to the current estimates.
Also the Ethiopian ruler Abiy Ahmed (Nobel peace prize winner 😮) has friends in high places.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
well said agree completely with your summary and comments..................MUST WATCH THIS!!!
Thank you for covering this when so few are willing to do it.
I think one reason for lack of coverage could be the lack of viable options each countries could do. With Ukraine situation there's a lot talking about military and civilian aid for Ukraine, effectiveness of different tactics and hardwares, sanctions and getting rid of Russians energy dependency etc.
With just about any African civil wars, what can western nations do? Should United Kingdom and France put their colonial hats back on and bring their own rule to those African nations? No. Should EU send military aid? To which side? Sanctions? What sanctions to who? If civilians are already suffering, then sanctions would make things just harder.
These conflicts are terrible, but what can we do? With limited time we each have in our days, we tend to focus on things that either interest us, affect us or if we can do something about it. If my parents roof is leaking that's more important news to me than if someone is robbed in New York. Robbery is worse than leaking roof, but for me some random robbery in a country I don't live in is far less relevant than what happens to my close family. Ukraine war does affect my life directly, because Russia is out next door neighbour (I live in Finland), so anything Russia does has some effect on my country.
Not really it was a media blackout by the Ethiopian government
Not mention the entire population of Ethiopia and Eritrea hated the tplf so not much was known about what was happening even In Ethiopia
As someone who was paying attention to the war, there was a lot more that could have been done:
1) Condemn Internal Military Actions and point fingers at specific bad actors instead of just yelling "Ceasefire"!
2) Condemn Media Blackouts. Bring attention to them in any way you can. "What are the Ethiopians hiding in there?" Just report on how complete the blackouts are. There are stories there, if you're willing to fight for them
3) Makes specific demands about humanitarian aid. Blocking off all food from a region is a crime against humanity. Call it that. Loudly.
4) Pass targeted sanctions at specific individuals.
This happened because the Media and US presidency refused to pick a side, despite the fact that the vast majority of harm and the most visible and blatant war crimes were all coming from the Ethiopian Federal Side. I personally suspect its because of distaste for the TPLF by the western liberal establishment, and the embarrassment of stopping a genocide committed by a Nobel peace prize winner.
“Should United Kingdom and France put their colonial hats back on and bring their own rule to those African nations?”
Yes.
@@TommygunNG Simple answer - NO.
Whatever these governments would do, the neo-marxIst mob (calling themselves liberals), which grew like tumor through mass media, social media and schools, would use it as another reason to attack the western society and institutions.
Since Ethiopia was never colonized, I love to let them handle & solve "their issues" by themselves - by their own methods.
And let the neo-marxist activists grizzle about "human rights abuse". We shall send all of them over there to "help". 🤡💩
To put it bluntly, Theirs bigger things than the world you know, but you can only take care of the world you know.
Besides, its kind of brain dead to compare a bloody war to a mugging in NYC. I guess, that shows how disconnected people are from the rest of the world until it comes there way, like WW2 neutrality or Syrian refugees with Isil attacks.
Is it a mystery?
People and governments don't care if it doesn't affect them. Usually that means proximity to them and/or an ally, but also if it affects trade or involves an enemy. Add to this whether there are events going on elsewhere that do meet the aforementioned conditions. In this case specifically, the conflict had no easy goodies and baddies, and no obvious way to "well actually" blame the West. It's not good, but hardly a mystery.
-
And I hate to be obvious, but yes a war involving a nuclear armed nation (that affected global food and fuel supply) that might at any moment expand into a global nuclear war is, unsurprisingly, se n as more important to the globe than what is a localized civil war.
Perfectly summarised. I think ppl sometimes underestimate that concern for Ukraine isn’t just ‘Western racism/bias’ but also has pretty global implications, not only for the food supply, but the fact that its one of the biggest powers going up against Western alliance, thats World War type shit. And the fact that it involves the ongoing discussion about the West vs The Rest, it feeds into conspiracy theories in Western nations, and just the status of the modern multi-polar world, where the West’s position is being challenged. The Ukraine War taps into the age-old questions and rivalries that involve countries across the world into different sides and with this Cold War rivalry. Ethiopia’s civil conflict was much bigger in human deaths but not in the global scale. Think about how many wars in Chinese history easily outnumber some of the more famous conflicts
Sadly yeah....
Hey! I think I requested this a while back! Thanks Simon and team! The world needs to at least know about it!
This is a needed video thank everyone involved in making it
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
1:30 - Chapter 1 - Storm of the century
5:45 - Chapter 2 - Once upon a time, in ethiopia
11:10 - Chapter 3 - The horror
15:40 - Chapter 4 - No exit
19:05 - Chapter 5 - Hiding from the light
So many lives. And it just doesn't stop, I knew about this one but nobody would listen about it. Thank you Simon
Great work
Glad you brought light to this sad conflict
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
I think its also important to note the type of attention countries are looking for. Just because the EU or US arent condemning a war doesnt make it less horrific. NATO isnt the only power capable of intervention.
As an American citizen, i find that the U.S. is damned if we do and damned if we don't. Not specific to this atrocity but generally speaking, theres been so many situations where we were asked to intervene (at the taxpayers expense, btw) just to be condemned by those that asked for help -or- condemed by countries claiming that 'U.S. intervention is essential.' All of this at the cost of U.S. education systems, welfare programs and infrastructure services.
That said, I cant say its surprising that western countries focused on Ukraine. This war directly impacted the lives of Western citizens and continues to do so. In addition, sending troops into what is essentially a civil war is a hot potato most countries would prefer to avoid. Sorry to sound callous. I hope things get better. I really do.
I think the International Court has a good opportunity to hold the leaders accountable.
It's probably will not be news for you, but many if not most africans support kremlin-gremlin, blame US to start this war (finally, send somme troops to ruzzia at-least) and believe in nazi regime in a country were all the population fights against "liberation".
You summed it up the best.
If you are talking about the International Criminal Court they can not do anything actually since Ethiopia never signed or joined the ICC. The only way Ethiopia could be sent to the ICC is if the UNSC asks the ICC to investigate but Russia and China will block that from happening.
Bro, the guy (prime minister) who started the war literally got a Nobel Prize for peace. Go figure
The Ukraine war has only impacted westerners because of the wests direct response to the war. If the west would have let the war be they’d have been affected little to not at all.
This is really well done. Every aspect, from the concise history to the warnings about "information shut downs" were excellent. Good for you guys! Thank you for all the nuanced, balance work you do. It's needed
When people hear that there’s a civil war in Africa, they’re like, “Yeah, and the sky is blue. And water is wet.” Because there’s always a civil war going on somewhere in Africa.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Very interesting video.
Aside from all the causes mentioned, there's another that kept even those informed from being engaged: the mutuality of the atrocities. With the Ukraine war, we have an exceedingly rare case of a clear cut aggressor and victim, a "good guy" if you will. Not so in Tigray. And rendering aid to the civilian population when both sides are engaged in war crimes becomes exceedingly difficult, both materially and politically.
Good point. When both sides are acting sh*tty it's easier to shrug your shoulders and conclude it's best to just let whatever gods they worship sort it out.
There is also the fact that the war in Ukraine is a war between nations relatively equal in power, something that has not been seen for a long time, especially not in Europe.
Furthermore, the brutality of the conflicts in Africa is something that has sadly become somewhat common.
not just that most people in the west dont have cultural ties to Africa and you cant help the world, most of the time the west and more so the USA is getting shit on for interfering. I for one am tired of helping africa been pummeled with tv ads my entire life to donate them, if they wanna move towards China and russia they can help themselves
This is a factor... but there was a clear aggressor here, starting the conflict and inflicting the great majority of the causalities. And there was only one side trying to keep the aid out. I find this war has a "bad guy", and its the one who won a nobel peace prize two years earlier.
That's the outcome of massive propaganda effort. Had US been interested in any faction in Tigray war, you would also have a "good guy"
Great great video. Would love to see a video on the whole Myanmar situation
I had never heard this even happened until your video. Thank you.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Love all your videos
I always wondered if Egypt helped stoked the flames to start this war in response to the damning of the Nile.
It’s good that this video pointed out that there was indeed significant press coverage of the Tigray War, because it seems that many commenters here just weren’t following the news. Now, as to the actual message of the video, the video could have referenced the Somali Civil War as the reason international powers ignored the Tigray War. UN and US intervention in Somalia proved so difficult and disastrous that it scared the world away from becoming involved in African conflicts. The Somali Civil War is the reason the US did not try to stop the Rwandan Genocide. Peacekeeping and wartime aid is difficult in Africa.
When ever the US and the UN get involved in a conflict you can be damn sure that conflict gets from bad to worse
Fantastic video
Well done.
I knew about the war in Tigray, but I had an extremely difficult time trying to follow what was going on. I couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t all over the news, but now it makes sense, with the total blockade including news coverage. It’s unbelievable that, especially in the interconnected world in which we live, that a government could and would use an absolute blockade, to not only keep the phenomenal violence from the world’s view, but also to literally starve their opposition into submission!
Thank you for bringing this horrendous war out of the shadows and into the light where it most definitely belongs! As always, excellent video Simon and team.
It wasn't just the lack of information. It was the height of the 2020 election, election aftermath, and covid, and the trump presidency were completely dominating the news. Also, I suspect liberal hostility to the TPLF led to a dampened response, both in the media, and in official government action (which could have driven media attention had they been committed).
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
There's a saying "What's so is so what" meaning that certain things are expected so they're just greeted with a shrug. The perception is that African nations are constantly in a state of conflict so even when one is bigger than usual, it's seen as just more of the same. Additionally, outside of Africa, what happens in Ethiopia doesn't have much impact upon the rest of the world. If Ethiopia disappeared altogether, first-world countries would barely miss a beat. That doesn't mean it isn't a tragedy but in our era of information overload, tragedies are everywhere so people tend to ignore the ones that don't directly affect them.
In my opinion, you're quite right on how African countries have a little impact on the political field of the world, however, there some countries like Ethiopia which are critical due to their geographical location and their geopolitical impact. As an example, Ethiopia is situated in East Africa which borders countries like Djibouti, Somalia, and Eritrea with their long coastlines along the Red Sea. Majority of the global trade passes through the Bab-El Mandeb (strait between Yemen and Djibouti) and the Red Sea. Additionally, the Ethiopia has the second most populous country in Africa mostly young population. Unfortunately, peace and security in that country including the Horn of Africa had been unstable meaning it can create an immigration crisis that floods the Middle East and the Southern European Nations.
Yeah, when I see most african nations having a war, I have to go back and check when their last war was. A couple of nations are Africa's pillars though, for reasons of history and population. When Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, or Ethiopia get into a war, it pays to sit up and pay attention.
Thanks for making your content
I learned a lot from this and your other channel's
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Wow it truly makes you think how blessed you are to be born we’re you are,to never experience such horrific things as this,scary there was no coverage
3:28 I commend Mr Nyssen for keeping one eye on every conflict, no matter how far separated they are 🙃
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Thank you for making a video on this subject and war. I did think it was really weird how the war kind of just... vanished after it had started, but I guess I assumed it was just low level fighting, hence why it wasn't really covered. Definitely nothing on the scale that's been reported now, which is insane in two years. Unbelievable it has been unreported this way, but it makes sense all the reasons why.
The Ethiopian government was very effective in creating a media blackout, only rumors of atrocities were making their way out and it seems they were underreported. This isn’t new for Eritrea, though, they’re Africa’s North Korea.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
3:35
kept dude on the screen for a very long time… pretty sure that was contagious. I can look at two things at once now
Thanks
They also ignored arguably the deadliest war post WW2: The Second Congo War.
I think part of the reason why wars in Africa often go unnoticed or unreported is that there is simply an assumption that somewhere, at any given time, there is a war going on in Africa. No matter how accurate that assumption is or is not, it does shape public perception of wars in Africa. We're more primed to hear about a war in the Middle East, Asia, or Europe and go 'oh fuck' versus Africa were the reaction is more likely to be 'oh, another one?' The region unfortunately has so many instabilities from the legacies of colonialism and inter-ethnic conflict that the world at large simply shrugs and presumes that war is just business as usual in Africa. Even as I am writing this, another war is possibly going to break out in Sudan for example, and I imagine the reaction will be more or less the same of 'oh, another one?'
Theres always a war in the middle east aswell
Thanks so much for highlighting this awful, vengeful war. And how little attention was given. But badly needed. Any even small bit of awareness. Could it have helped so many. And, at least halted the unnecessary suffering of so many.
Thank you Morris M
Thank you Simon for your unbiased reporting. Keep up the good work for freedom of speach.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Thanks for your excellent work as usual Simon! We disagree on a lot but we certainly agree that freedom of the press is critical.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
"the Tigray war passed silently by like a ship in the night". This right here!
Simon first thing, I love the channel, I enjoy nearly all of your channels in fact, but I have one burning question
The theme tune for warographics, was it ‘inspored’ by the time team theme tune (channel 4 uk program)
i live in europe and share a pretty long border with russia and our countries have history of scrapping each other so obviously i'm going to be more alarmed if a war happens in europe from a country next to me.
africa is so far away and couldn't possibly affect my life in any significant way so i consider it to be their own problem, same with iraq, afghanistan, chechnya wars and what other wars there have been.
i understand i'm fortunate to be born in finland, pretty much winnig the lottery in countries, but either i have been too young to understand these wars or they have been too far away for me to care, now that i'm 22 i have been reading a lot about wars since ww2 and it is pretty depressing and sad but not really my problem
only country i'm ready to die for is my own
Agreed. I am Indian and we are so much involved regarding wars with Pakistan it's not possible to give attention to anyplace else. People here honestly don't even care much about Ukraine war.
I would die for your country.
@@dragonstormdipro1013as they shouldn't. If India ever devolved into anarchic fighting nobody else would care.
@@geelangfordo3272 We are under Chinese nuclear threat, and we have fought a war with Pakistan after both became nuclear power, so historically our threat level has been SIGNIFICANTLY high than West.
@@thatindiandude4602 not true, plenty of westerners have a soft spot for india, since many indians live in the west and yoga/ spiritual part of india is very popular in the west.
Also, as was constantly discussed at the start, it was extremely difficult to get verifiable information out of either side for a very long time. The Ethiopian government also made it nearly impossible for foreign correspondents to get proper info.
Technological capacity within the populace played a role too I guess. Blackouts do occur in most recent wars but info is liased through to those in safer areas to forward to a world audience. The lack of familiarity with Ethiopians and Tigrayans and African peoples in general probably causes disinterest. I suspect even other Africans were indifferent to this war due to a lack of affinity.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
First time I have heard of this war!
Bravo for covering this. Legacy media in the United States hasn’t even touched this. Thank you for your work
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
Thank you for bringing to light such a terrible conflict.
I am very into military warfare and conflict due to how it shapes societies as a whole, and honestly, never heard of this.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
I didnt know this was happening to this scale. I feel ashamed. Thank you, Simon
Chilling.
As a doctor that was in mekelle at the heat of the war I have seen all the horror you spoke of and let me say my peace.
1. Tplf had a coordinated attack on all military bases in tigray region on November 4 and that's how the war began.
2. It really was the bloodiest war of the century and 1 million plus ppl might have been killed
3. The reason the war happened is much much much more than the 3 reasons you gave it was a boiling lave waiting to explode and those things were the last nail in the coffin
4. Ethiopia and its people are one of the most bloodiest people's in history Abyysina ppl have been waging wars since forever we ruled the lands from the start and that fight never dies in the ppl even when the west came for Africa and eat Africa like hyenas Ethiopia fought the bloodiest war at adewa and kept our freedom, so when my ppl fight they fight to the bone and those fighter blood directly runnes through tigray and amhara ppl same ppl just different name. So ya it was a bloody war.
Thank God for the peace and love we have now and we will work on our country and a way to move forward together for the betterment of our country Ethiopia.
Ethiopia le zelalem tenur
ቅዘናም😂
ekekam mn tkebatraleh
Starvation seems to be a tactics used by central governments in Africa to stamp out dissent. From the Biafran war in 1960 to the Tigray war in 2022. The tactics of killing as much of tribal civilians as possible, as a weapon of war, is one that have been successfully employed and often without consequences.
This tactic was used in the Middle Ages too.
@tylerb9877 goes back even further then that, starvation was a well used tactic to end sieges since the beginning of city states.
Africa population in 1950 177 million,2020 1.5 billion,and predicted to b 2.5 billion by 2050
I got recommended a job through a family friend to do some web design work about 7 years ago for a startup Ethiopian tourist business, there were a lot popping up at this point in time. I was going to be paid relatively big money for it and the owner was incredibly charismatic and I and a few others wanted to do our best to work with him. I was maybe a week in and got a bunch of photos sent to me to weed through and use for the website. I got shots of cabanas, happy locals, many animals, aaaaand a bunch of pictures of stacked rpgs, rifles and people in military uniform. Then I did a bit of research I should have done for most jobs and found out that this was basically the same civil war from the 90s ready to happen all over again and decided to abandon the project. The owner was not happy with me but in retrospect he was too optimistic about the whole situation. When the war started I asked around what happened and from what I heard was that the owner decided to abandon the business after a test run and decided to move his whole family to the USA which I assume was before 2020.
Dammit Factboy! You had me weeping with that outro....
If I had to guess, the reason this war is so overlooked has to do with both the stakes involved and the kind of war involved. Yes, there is the bias of Western media and the tiny dash of "Africa is always at war" that exists in the populace in the West, but the stakes also really only involved Ethiopia and its neighbors.
In Ukraine, by contrast, the entirety of Europe and the biggest powers in the world all have varying stakes in the ongoing conflict (ie, India, China, the United States). If the war gets even worse, it could directly lead to World War III and a possible nuclear exchange. Therefore, the war in Ukraine has global ramifications. The war in Ethiopia, by contrast, doesn't--at least, not on a comparable scale.
It's also a different kind of war. Ethiopia's war is a civil war. Ukraine's war is one of defense against a nuclear power's attempt at total conquest and cultural erasure. One involves a kind of war that the international system is kinda okay with, the other involves one the system is very not okay with.
It also doesn't help that the victorious Ethiopian government seems to have committed as many, if not more, war crimes as its opponent. Ukraine's government, by contrast, strives to be much more humane.
Good points.
That’s not the reason
Ukraine war is pumped by propaganda
Ethiopia war was propaganda as well but to hide what was going on
Also the entire region (Ethiopia,Eritrea,somalia,Sudan hates the Tplf
Plus a lot of this is fake news
The numbers are fake
Ukraine is special, in terms of recent wars. Its distinct from everything else we've seen.
On top of that, its also more connected to the US. I've worked with Ukrainians, gotten to know one on a forum, and had one live in my grandmother's house.
@@derrickthewhite1 exactly Ukraine is blonde haired blue eyed (special)
@@ima8533 It isn't skin color that makes the Ukraine war special. Its the fact that a great power is involved, that the relative population sizes are so massive, The wealth involved is so large, and that involves two sovereign nations. If China invade south korea or Tiawan we'd see similar levels of interest.
I tend to consider myself a bit of an amateur conflict historian but, this one, I’ve not heard of until now. Thanks for uploading this and giving some excellent insight into this particular conflict that virtually nobody knows about
I had heard about this, but not a lot, and had no clue the death toll was so high
Im from Tigray and a figher. I appreciate your work, the majority is correct.
I tried to keep up on the events of this war, but I didn’t now it was this horrible.
I thought the deadliest conflict in the 21st century was the Second Congo War, which is sometimes referred to as Africa’s World War. It lead to the deaths of over 4 million people. This conflict has been forgotten too
He mentions that conflict in the video, but since the Second Congo War started in the 1900s he doesn’t count it as a purely 21st century war
Second congo war happened in 1990 so not purely 21th century conflict
Oh man, that closing was just as chilling as hearing about the terrible things that went on within those 'data closed' borders. Aye, it is true that in an era when we seem to be drowning in 'content' the amount of actual *information* is small - I have been saying for a while that the powers that be have figured out that the internet made the transport of data impossible to stop ... so they have seen to it that the stream is polluted by so much nonsense that the things that are true get lost in the noise.
The Powers That Be had nothing to do with it. It's profitable to put out content. There's a dozen videos a day on the Ukraine conflict coming out and if you watched them all, you'd eventually hear nothing but the same information over and over.
A horror of humanity not communicated by other media. I enjoyed listening and learning.
I heard about the war crimes going on and it broke my heart, because I knew most people in the world weren’t following the war and didn’t know or care about it. I always wondered why.
The Ethiopian conflict is allegedly backed by the Prosperity Gospel in the US. The statesman (Abiy) is an outspoken devotee of this sect. Donald Trump is said to represent the pinnacle of the Republican Party's embrace of prosperity gospel values. The Tigray War started on 4th of November, 2020 the same day as the US election (Don't tell me this is a coincidence now!). Trump literally green-light Abiy to start the war. This is because the TPLF represented a strong anti-imperialist party. During the 20 years of EPRDF (TPLF-led regime), the Ethiopian government kind of had a symmetrical relationship with both US and China without leaning so much on one more than the other. It was very bizarre but they managed to do it and Ethiopia was growing rapidly. Ethiopia, for the first time in history, started building dam on the Nile River thanks to Meles Zenawi, but unfortunately he is not given his flowers due to his roots. The war is much more than the 27 years tyranny or some 20th century history like many of the world's conflicts. The war is ideological. It's whether Africa's sole independent nation-state can manage to stay "independent". Tigray is the root of many of Ethiopia's values. The culture, the food, the government system all stems from this place. There is a body that wants to claim it by ethnic cleansing Tigrayans or by culturally assimilating them. The latter was carried out effectively during most of the 20th century until a bunch of Tigrayan youth (most of them still teens) organized themselves and formed the TPLF saying no to forceful subjugation. A bloody 17 years war was fought against the then communist regime which led to its collapse and Ethiopia was restructured based on ethnic federalism. There is a power that wants to revive the old Ethiopia on one side and groups that want ethnic freedom and the right to exercise ethnic federalism to the limit. Ethiopia is very complex. I really hope and pray everyone settles down and engages in mature discussion on the way forward.
This is a horrible situation, but Africa should have been more involved in this situation. If you visit most African countries there isn't much coverage of European events either unless its an issue of colonialism
While you guys are on an African roll, could you cover the conflict between Somaliland and Somalia?
Somaliland is such a contrast from Somalia (that being, Somaliland is actually stable and relatively economically prosperous), I was wondering how their opposing militaries stacked up.
Abagadha
I remember listening about this war on th BBC World Service during the afternoons when I'd drop off my partner at work. It was mentioned every day and occasionally had an interview, but everything was so vague. Mostly the same words used to describe the situation. Now it makes sense. The blockade. F.
One thing that may counter the effect of information blackouts is the increase in satellite phones. The technology is now being put into some high end handsets, but over time that will filter down and the ability to bypass a blackout will become more available.
Satellite phones and Solar panels are the new enemy. Nip the problem in the bud immediately before it grows and becomes nearly unstoppable.
All wars no matter who is the attacker deserves to be fought in the darkness far away from annoying media scrutinization.
I remember hearing about it as it was starting and then the news cycle just covering different things. The sad fact is I tend to ignore news of internal conflicts and wars in Africa. I know for example France has been in protracted conflict for a while that doesn't get enough coverage, and I'm fairly certain the US has Special Forces fighting in parts of central Africa.
When I discuss Africa I tend to discuss it collectively as a continent despite knowing there's figuratively 10,000 distinct cultures and language groups and genetically it represents the greatest human genetic diversity in the world. But despite this I think of it more in terms of strategic trade partnerships and developing economies that have the potentional to entirely skip coal power production and jump directly into renewables or as worse gas turbine plants. If the many nations of Africa don't have their economic legs kicked out from under them with excessive loans, there lies the potential for the continent to be an economic powerhouse in the 22nd century that leaves everyone else in the dust. They have the population, they have the raw resources and the just need internal development, and protection if those internal industries. You can't start a textiles market if you are bombarded with free low quality clothing from well meaning charities. It's hard to develop agriculture if local farmers are having to compete with industrial grains mass produced in the US. And it's hard to build a good system if corruption diverts resources to the few over the many.
For this conflict I was aware of some generational conflicts between the local ethnic groups, and I am aware that geographically Ethiopia is very secluded with limited points of control to gain access to the interior of the country. The terrain is just pretty rough.
As much as I don't like him, Starlink satellites do present a good option for getting the story out in regions like this, but even if it had gotten out, I'm not sure what any nation would have really done. To my knowledge the US has never invaded for humanitarian purposes, only for political gain or to secure resources for itself. A civil war, is something no country wants to get involved with because if the tables were turned, they would want noncountries to get in their internal politics.
This isn't the first time international attention ignored war in Ethiopia. Italy's invasion of Ethiopia essentially ended the League of Nations as the LN essentially allowed it to happen and gave Italy the advantage. In the lead up there, the LN passed a weapons ban on both countries. Italy had just upgraded their arsenal, while Ethiopia was in dire need of an upgrade. Remaining neutral when the defending country has such disadvantage is really supporting the agrressor nation. Japan saw the conflict that the LN was racists and full or European powers who would side with European powers.
If you ignore an african conflict and let people sort out their own conflict, you're accused of being callous and racist. If you care and try to get involved to sort it out, then you're accused of being a colonizer, racist, and asked to leave. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. The best you can do is what this channel does and play hindsight hero. When all the winners have come out, history is written, then you can complain that "other people" didn't flip the "peace switch". 1:00 "global society ignore..." that includes himself. It's so disingenuous, it makes you cynical every single time it happens.
US tried to intervene in Somalia, and got huge international pressure after BHD in 93. The next time there was a genocide in Rwanda 94, the Seals, off the coast were simply asked to stand down and not intervene b/c of politics. They could've gotten in and stopped a lot of the senseless violence, but couldn't because of politics. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@Wille k, Well none of those things are wrong so I think you’re just being a worthless crybaby.
One useful trick I've used for Africa is to sort it in my mind. The Mediterranean Coast, Guinea, the Horn, the heart, Safari Africa, and south Africa. I find "Direction Africa" compounds the problem, so I avoid it, even if it means oversimplifying the names... the more detail you have at your grasp, the more the additional details will matter, even if calling all of west Africa "Guinea" is a bit of a cludge, or if "Safari Africa" is focusing on single point of western contact: it lets you remember the enormous differences between east and west Africa.
@@willek1335 We try to bury the reasons the people in western nations were sold on 19th century colonialism. Rights for Women. Abolition of Slavery. These were given as justifications for colonialism back home. Colonialism came with great evil, but because of where we stand we also miss some of the good it did.
@@derrickthewhite1 I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I fully understand the point you're trying to make.
Well given the fact that the world largely ignored Ethiopia’s civil war, it’s pretty likely the majority of nations would side with Egypt if those two start a war over that dam Ethiopia wants to build.
Usa gives egypt 1b a year and they fly f16’s so that would be bloody
@@pdudy8261 all of Africa stands with Ethiopia. Ethiopia has millions of soldiers and they have China in their corner. I say good luck if they want war with Ethiopia.
They have built it. Im not sure it's 100% finished yet but it has started working.
Thing is, I don’t blame Egypt for wanting to destroy the dam or at least delay and limit the amount of water Ethiopia could cover. Ethiopia easily has a full monopoly over the Nile and with the Tigray War showing how far the Ethiopian government is willing to go just to get what it wants, I won’t consider it an impossibility, but more likely, that the Ethiopian government wouldn’t care for millions of Egyptians to starve and thirst to death for as long as Ethiopia enriches themselves.
@@imgvillasrc1608 the EgyptIan's want a monopoly on the Nile. The GERD is in Ethiopia and will generate enough electricity to lift millions of Ethiopians out of poverty and can be exported to neighboring countries downstream. They have ever right to build infrastructure in their own territory.
Simon - you call these deaths senseless but there is a grim logic to them, which is why it happens in so many conflicts. We will cleanse you from these lands is an utterly cold expression of logic. Its one of the most brutally true statements I've ever heard a leader speak. I really like the vids. Also, is there land pressure in the region? Is the population density for an agricultural region high? Just watched the conclusion, well said mate
Neat.
Key part of my lack of focus on it was... besides a lack of pictures and news showing how bad it was or the specific horrors, just that it was "another civil war over there". I do keep an eye on various cival wars and fighting of that type, but they happen somewhat often and have less effect on me and or need for my input. I don't live there, I don't know the cultures or wich one to support, heck I think they are probably both wrong for going to violence but oh well, it varies but there's limited value I see for me to focus on every civil war and conflict. There's a lot of internal conflicts in places around the world.
The war in Ukriane though, that got my attention not because it had people with white skin mostly, but because it involved Russia, invading Ukraine. Russia, the country there's still more than a bit of big bad stigma on from a few decades ago in our culture, and they were the aggressor in a straight up no excuses invasion to take land from another country. 2014 there was some argument it was partial civil issues in Crimea and Donbas, but this time... nope, straight up attempt to invade and steel territory and property and stuff. THAT is what got my attention, we haven't really had one of those proper on any size for decades now. Yes, Russia has done a few other cases like with 2014 Ukraine, where it mixes political/civil/peacekeeping shit together to make it a bit more ambiguous. But not this, this was a big piece of news, with two sizable countries, and one that's the big bad of old. That is what's drawn my attention. What keeps it there so regularly is then yes, the part that every day there's constant news and videos and updates coming out. But I pay attention because of the type of conflict, and the parties involved. Don't get me wrong though, if Pakistan suddenly invaded Turkmenistan and tried to do a full land grab, that'd get my attention a lot as well, or if Ethiopia decided they wanted to take Somalia and all that nice coast line. Those get attention these days, because they aren't the norm. Civil wars, sadly are still kind of the norm already. Granted no this big, but again the details of size and stuff were yes, somewhat limited and blocked in the media from the easiest of reporting.
The Russo-Ukrainian war got largely the same treatment from 2014 until 2022.
Great video my man. This is shockingly sad. Whew. As far as the racism idea, I very much doubt it was racism, but rather the Western World just chose to look over a place with no resources to pay it back, not to mention there was also way more things that were simpler to focus on. I believe this is the reason why we were willing to send tens of thousands of troops into Iraq as well as having a sizeable, and extremely well armed presence, but when it came to Afghanistan we just simply let it fail. Iraq has oil, Afghanistan has nothing of major note. Same with Ethiopia.
"Ethiopia has nothing of major note." Bruh they're literally holding a gun to the Nile right now with the GERD.
With the comparison to Ukraine, I have often reflected that I've worked with ukrainians, talked with them on forums, and had one stay in my grandmother's house. I've never met an Ethiopian.
Simon could you please do an episode on the sri lankan civil war would love to learn more
Simmering animosity - UK
As bleak and terrible as this sounds, the reason for this conflict not making news is kinda understandable. The region has been conflict for a long time, famine was a problem even before the conflict actually gained traction, and there wasn't much in the way of actual fighting. The reasons behind the conflict are also well known and easy to understand, given how ethnic conflicts in the region have been going on for decades.
In comparison to literal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which caused massive global repercussion in trade and other fields, it makes sense the tigray conflict didn't really make headlines that much.
Plus the fact news organizations basically ignored it also didn't help much. Blaming all of this just on broad "racism" is disingenuous and just another way to conceal the real problems.
Jan Nyssen looking fresh, my boy.
I wasn't even aware this one even ocurred. Wow.
I think part of it is the west's view of Ethiopia as a stabilizing force in the region, and the reluctance to weaken the country lest it causes a wider conflict. Ethiopia is actually pretty special as African nations go, it's a very old country with a long history that was never truly colonised by any european power (Italy did occupy it for a few short years but the British and Ethiopians kicked them out and they became independent again). This is in contrast to many of its neighbours who are at least partially colonial constructs. So the west could be very reluctant to put too much focus on the war lest public pressure from their citizens forces their hand into sanctions or even direct intervention.
Yeah Ethiopia is special amongst African countries
I agree with most on here. It probably went unnoticed because it seems like there is always one hot spot, or 40, in Africa at any given time. Be that right or wrong. Where as we haven't had a full on war in Europe in going on almost 30 years.
Add to that the world wide name recognition that Russia has. And it is a recipe for paying more attention to Ukraine than anywhere else.
well don't forget zelenskiy is a movie star so he was exceptionally suited to be a president and to draw attention
tigray doesn't have representation anywhere because it's civil war not between two different countries both with representation
What happened in other parts of africa is nothing compared to this. And the 700k death isn’t just the the the casualty of 2 sides of the war but rather at the side of the Tigray people. Tigray has 4.7 million in population pre-war but after the genocidal war it’s honestly only 4m!
I always had knew about the conflicts in Tigray as both of my parents are Tigrayan but I was always told that the wars have been going on for ~40 years.
Alternative Take: Tigray wasn't a signal of information embargos to come, it was the last gasp of this tactic. The blackout only worked because the region lacks the connectivity we take for granted. In Europe and the United States, the internet penetration rate (% of the population using the internet) is in the 80s and 90s. The highest rate in Africa is around 45, and, in Ethiopia, only about 16% of the population has access to the internet - and that's when there isn't a war. Lack of power and commercial cell phone service quickly and efficiently imposed the blackout, because the communications infrastructure was underdeveloped (as compared to the infrastructure a 'more well funded' government would have to contend with) and heavily reliant on stationary, fragile targets. Kinetic force is a lot more simply and directly applied than advanced cyber-security.
TL;DR: The world's silence doesn't represent the failure of global connectivity to prevent/mitigate a crisis, it's a failure to equitably distribute connectivity.
Yeah, I'm curious if the Elon's much vaunted satellite internet system is going to end this.
The Ethiopian government simply turned off cell service/internet access in Tigray. I'm not quite sure how central governments still have that power, but they do.
@@ThePrimebrook Everything Infrastructure/Technology wise is centralized in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The government can turn off cell service/internet and electricity anywhere in the country anytime they want to do so. The entire country power grid is controlled from Addis Ababa.
Tedros attitude that it is racism of the west to not care about it because they are black is very hypocritical. Today you see the exact same attitude of not caring but in reverse from the third world, to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia (an invasion, not a civil war, which will always get more attention anyway). Apparently colonialisation is alright, as long as they aren't the victim.
One day the third world will have to take responsibility for themselves but it seems most are not there yet. Ethiopia wasn't colonised, the rest of Africa has independence for several decades. The west will eventually wake up and wonder where trillions in aid is going if you are all going to hate us anyway and project all of your problems onto us for something from generations ago.
Tedros is just mad that America didn't send troops to save his terrorist organization TPLF that started the war. Tedros and his family are responsible for ethnic cleansing in Ethiopia when tplf was in power.