Tens of thousands of people demonstrate this Sunday in Addis Ababa in support of its prime minister, who rejects calls to speak to the rebels
Tens of thousands of people gathered on Sunday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to express their unconditional support for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The massive concentration, promoted by the regime, tried to express both support for the leader and his rejection of the Western position, critical of the official strategy. The crowd showed anti-American sentiment, due to Biden’s decision to exclude Ethiopia from the customs advantages granted to African states, and also expressed their intention to defend the city against the advance of the rebel troops.
The accusations to all external agents of spreading ‘fake news’ were common among those summoned, in line with the official theses that reject the disturbing news about the rebel advance on the center and south of the country. But the problem has been caused by the Administration itself. The lack of certainty about the war fronts is motivated by the government’s closure, which prevents journalists and humanitarian organizations from entering conflict areas.
The masses attended a rally in which well-known leaders related to the Executive bet on the victory of the Army and rejected calls for dialogue from international organizations and personalities. The latest requests in this regard have come from Pope Francis – who this Sunday called for a “great diplomatic effort” to resolve the crisis – and from Jeffrey Feltman, the United States envoy, who has denounced the famine situation in the Tigray, the origin of the conflict. The speakers opted for a local solution that does not involve any type of negotiation with the guerrillas, a position similar to that advocated by Aby Ahmed, who demands “sacrifices” from the population to “save” the country.
A complex scenario
The call takes place when Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Denmark have asked their compatriots to leave the territory as soon as possible. In any case, it is still possible to find an agreed solution. The president of Uganda has convened a summit of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development, a regional body, which will take place on the 16th in Kampala and which will serve as a framework for new discussions of the conflict.
The war situation remains diffuse, although all the information points to a climate of insecurity spread practically throughout the territory. The United Front alliance of Federal and Confederate Forces, presented last Friday in Washington, has brought together nine groups that share a frontal opposition to the Ethiopian government.
The Tigray Popular Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Oromia Liberation Army (OLA) are the protagonists of this coalition that demands a peaceful transition, but does not rule out the armed way to defeat Ahmed. However, TPLF sources assured yesterday that their intention is not to cause a “bloodbath” in Addis Ababa in case of taking it and rejected that its population is “fiercely opposed”.
The conflict in Tigray has revealed Ethiopia’s complex political landscape. The prime minister’s fight against the Tigrian ruling elite is a clash for power, held up to now by the TPLF leadership, but the struggle has revealed the existence of at least ten other important conflicts derived from discrimination. , poverty and secessionist postulates.
The involvement of the Oromo militias, a community that represents 30% of the population, has fueled a conflict that has exceeded the limits of Tigray and now directly threatens the capital. The vast territory inhabited by this community borders Addis Ababa and the networks speak of a constant expansion responded with bombings.
Meanwhile, daily life in the capital remains without major alterations or shortages, but hundreds of people displaced by the fighting have already begun to arrive. The Government called a week ago for the registration of weapons by its residents and, in recent days, has summoned retired soldiers to join the civil defense.
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