Tag Archives: Tigray

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WHO chief has “personal pain” over conflict in Ethiopia

Maravi Post Reporter
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The director general of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu who is an Ethiopian by nationality has spoken of his pain over the conflict in the Tigray region in Ethiopia.

Tedros has been at the helm of affairs helping to fight the global Coronavirus pandemic but he said 2020 has been difficult for him as well due to the conflict in his country.

He told reporters on Monday at a press conference that “2020 has been very difficult for me, because my country is in trouble, my country, Ethiopia, is in trouble, and the war, the devastating war that’s happening is actually in my home region, Tigray, northern part of Ethiopia.”

Monday’s press conference on the Covid-19 pandemic was Tedros’s last for the year.

The conflict in Tigray led to the death of thousands after it broke out on November 4.

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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered troops into the region following alleged attacks by Tigray People’s Liberation Front forces on federal military camps in the northern region.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus denied claims by Ethiopia at the time that he is supporting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The Ethiopian government said Dr. Ghebreyesus was helping Tigray forces fighting the government.

Tedros said “As if Covid is not enough, I have that personal pain also, I worry about my country.”

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“I have many relatives there, including my younger brother and I don’t know where they are.

“I haven’t communicated with them because communication is not there.”

Over 30,000 Ethiopians fled the violence in Tigray region despite assurances from the government that those who fled can return home.

WHO chief denies supporting Tigray forces in Ethiopia

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Regional

Ethiopia admits firing at UN team ‘on way to refugee camp’

Maravi Post Reporter

Mr Abiy ordered the military to oust it from power after it attacked a federal military base in Tigray.

It followed sharp political differences over reforms that Mr Abiy had introduced since taking office in 2018.

More than 40,000 people have fled across the border to Sudan and many others may have been forced from their homes.

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Regional

Ethiopia: Tigray releases over 4,000 soldiers

Maravi Post Reporter

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The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has announced the release of over 4,000 soldiers who had been held captive.

TPLF officials said they had been part of the army’s northern command but were detained when Tigrayan troops attacked a federal military base.

The development comes after the TPLF officials disputed a declaration by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister that the military had won the conflict. They have vowed to fight on despite the claim.

Before the war started, the military deployed troops in the north of Ethiopia who were drawn v from different regions of the country.

Thousands of non-Tigrayans subsequently found themselves in what was enemy territory when Tigrayan fighters attacked the main base triggering the war.

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They were detained by the TPLF but have now been freed. The Ethiopian state media has confirmed that at least 3,000 soldiers had been released. It has also been rumoured that some were Tigrayans who had refused to fight.

Meanwhile Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commission has condemned ethnic profiling of Tigrayan people since the conflict begun.

It has also urged the government to restore telecommunication links to the region.

Ethiopia ends military operation in Tigray after capture of capital

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Regional

Ethiopia ends military operation in Tigray after capture of capital

Maravi Post Reporter

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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said that federal forces have ended military operations in the Tigray region after the capture of the capital, Mekele.

He said “Our focus now will be on rebuilding the region and providing humanitarian assistance while Federal Police apprehend the TPLF clique.”

Federal forces have been battling rebels in Mekele for weeks leading to a deepening conflict in the Tigray region.

The conflict has forced thousands to flee the region for safety, sparking a humanitarian crisis.

Abiy Ahmed’s claims on Saturday of the capture of Mekele means the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has now taken over the last remaining fort of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

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According to Abiy the national forces conquered the city without harming civilians and destroying heritage sites.

“Since yesterday, our forces have been [planning] how to control Mekele without harming civilians.

Accordingly, we have easily taken full control of the city this afternoon without any bloodshed. We have also freed over 7,000 members of the Federal North Command who had been stationed in Mekele,” he said.

He adds that “The final militarily operation against the TPLF junta based in Mekele has officially ended today. What remains is hunting down hiding TPLF leaders and bringing them to justice.”

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PM Abiy also said the people of Tigray “approved that they were not alongside the TPLF members being hunted”.

Prime Minister Abiy last week ordered a full crackdown on TPLF which his administration considered a rebel group even though it once ruled Ethiopia.

Ethiopia to ‘receive and reintegrate’ those fleeing Tigray conflict

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Regional

Ethiopian offensive on Tigray capital has begun

Maravi Post Reporter

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Ethiopian military forces have reportedly started their planned offensive on rebels in the Tigray region.

Reuters reported that the leader of rebellious forces said on Saturday that Ethiopian government forces had began the offensive to capture the regional capital, Mekelle.

Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) was quoted by Reuters as saying that Mekelle was under “heavy bombardment”.

Reuters said that confirmation was given in a text message from Gebremicheal.

Meanwhile Billene Seyoum, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister’s office, has said that Ethiopian forces would not “bombard” civilian areas.

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Seyoum noted that “the safety of Ethiopians in Mekelle and Tigray region continues as priority for the federal government.”

On Friday Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met the African Union mission trying to resolve the current crisis.

The envoys were in Addis Ababa hoping to mediate between Ahmed’s government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as conflict surges.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister earlier rejected what he called international interference in resolving the crisis in the Tigray region.

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Ahmed in a statement said the international community should “standby until the government of Ethiopia submits its request for assistance”.

The AU envoys – ex-presidents Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa are however not allowed to travel to Tigray, the government has already said.

Ethiopia to ‘receive and reintegrate’ those fleeing Tigray conflict

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Regional

Ethiopia PM meets AU envoys over Tigray crisis

Maravi Post Reporter

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Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has met the African Union mission trying to resolve the current crisis in the Tigray region.

The envoys have been to Addis Ababa hoping to mediate between Ahmed’s government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as conflict surges.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister earlier rejected what he called international interference in resolving the crisis in the Tigray region.

Ahmed in a statement said the international community should “standby until the government of Ethiopia submits its request for assistance”.

UN Secretary General António Guterres had said he was “deeply concerned” about the situation in the Tigray region.

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The UN chief also supports efforts by the African Union to de-escalate the situation, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

After Friday’s meeting with three special AU envoys, Mr Abiy said in a statement that his government was seeking to ensure the protection of civilians.

The statement said the Ethiopian government was opening a humanitarian corridor, and it will welcome back Ethiopian refugees who fled into Sudan.

However, the prime minister said his government would continue its efforts against what it calls the “TPLF clique”.

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The AU envoys – ex-presidents Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa are however not allowed to travel to Tigray, the government has already said.

Ethiopia PM rejects foreign interference in Tigray crisis

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Regional

UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ about crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Maravi Post Reporter
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UN Secretary General António Guterres is “deeply concerned” about the situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and supports efforts by the African Union to de-escalate the situation, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Mr Guterres has also called for the protection of civilians ahead of a threat by the Ethiopian army to start an assault on the region’s capital, Mekelle.

“We’re following reports of the possible military action around Mekelle with great alarm. The Secretary General is very concerned about the impact that will have on civilian population, on our ability to deliver humanitarian aid in an area where it is almost impossible to do so.” Mr Dujarric said.

“He urges the leaders of Ethiopia to do everything possible to protect civilians, uphold human rights and ensure humanitarian access for the provision of much-needed assistance.”

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Fighting between Ethiopia’s central government and forces in Tigray has been going on for almost three weeks.

Hundreds have reportedly been killed and tens of thousands have fled.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly said the Ethiopian army would protect civilians in its campaign against forces in Tigray.

WHO chief denies supporting Tigray forces in Ethiopia

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Source: BBC

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Regional

Ethiopia PM rejects foreign interference in Tigray crisis

Maravi Post Reporter

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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has rejected what he calls international interference in resolving the current crisis in the country’s Tigray region.

Ahmed in a statement said the international community should “standby until the government of Ethiopia submits its request for assistance”.

UN Secretary General António Guterres is said to be “deeply concerned” about the situation in the Tigray region.

The UN chief also supports efforts by the African Union to de-escalate the situation, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Mr Guterres has also called for the protection of civilians ahead of a threat by the Ethiopian army to start an assault on the region’s capital, Mekelle.

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“We’re following reports of the possible military action around Mekelle with great alarm. The Secretary General is very concerned about the impact that will have on civilian population, on our ability to deliver humanitarian aid in an area where it is almost impossible to do so.” Mr Dujarric said.

“He urges the leaders of Ethiopia to do everything possible to protect civilians, uphold human rights and ensure humanitarian access for the provision of much-needed assistance.”

But the Ethiopian prime minister said the country appreciates the concerns of the international community.

“I would, however, like to stress that Ethiopia is very much capable and willing to resolve this situation in accordance with its laws and its international obligations,” read a statement from his office.

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Mr Abiy said the country “rejects any interference in our internal affairs” and asked the international community to “respect the fundamental principles of non-intervention under international law”.

Fighting between Ethiopia’s central government and forces in Tigray has been going on for almost three weeks.

Hundreds have reportedly been killed and tens of thousands have fled.

Ethiopian PM rejects peace talks on Tugray conflict as thousands flee

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Regional

Ethiopia gives Tigray forces 72 hours to surrender as conflict rages

Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

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The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has issued a 72 hour ultimatum to Tigrayan regional forces to surrender or face military offensive.

Ahmed said if the Tigray forces fail to surrender the military will storm the regional capital Mekelle.

The regional rebels fighting the federal forces are based in Mekelle, the regional capital of Tigray, a state in Ethiopia’s northern region.

But the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), has rejected such an order saying its forces were digging trenches and standing firm.

The rebels have refused to surrender its rule of the northern region which has about 500, 000 residents.

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There are already reports of federal forces advancing towards to the region to contain the rebels.

Since the conflict started in November this year, hundreds have been killed and more than 30,000 refugees have fled to neighbouring Sudan.

Tigrayan leaders have accused the federal government of marginalizing Tigrayans since Ahmed took office two years ago.

The prime minister is accused of removing Tigray leaders from senior roles in government and the military and detaining many on rights abuse and corruption charges.

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The government also says the Tigrayan leaders are revolting against central authority and starting the conflict by attacking federal troops in the town of Dansha.

Ethiopia to ‘receive and reintegrate’ those fleeing Tigray conflict

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Regional

WHO chief denies supporting Tigray forces in Ethiopia

Maravi Post Reporter
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The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has denied claims by Ethiopia that he is supporting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The Ethiopian government said Dr. Ghebreyesus was helping Tigray forces fighting the government.

In a televised address, Ethiopia’s army chief said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is trying to procure arms and mobilize diplomatic support for Tigray state’s dominant political party, which is fighting the federal troops.

“This man is a member of that group and he has been doing everything to support them,” the army chief of staff.

He has worked in neighbouring countries to condemn the war. He has worked for them to get weapons,” General Berhanu Jula said on Thursday.

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Berhanu said Tedros had “left no stone unturned” to help the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), the party Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said it is targeting in a military offensive in the region.

“What do you expect from him [Tedros]? We don’t expect he will side with the Ethiopian people and condemn them,” Berhanu said.

55 year old Tedros – an Ethiopian of Tigrayan descent who served as health minister in a former government coalition led by the TPLF said the accusations were untrue.

He said on twitter that “There have been reports suggesting I am taking sides in this situation. This is not true”.
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“I want to say that I am on only one side and that is the side of peace,” he added.

The conflict in northern Ethiopia has already lasted two weeks, and it threatens to destabilize the Horn of Africa.

Some 30,000 Ethiopians are feeling the violence.

Ethiopian PM rejects peace talks on Tugray conflict as thousands flee

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