Ethiopia: protesters promise to defend capital against rebels

Published on : 07/11/2021 – 13:39

They assure that they will take up arms if necessary. Tens of thousands of Ethiopians vowed on Sunday (November 7) at a pro-government rally in Addis Ababa to defend the capital against Tigrayan rebels and denounced diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in the north of the country.

This rally was held five days after the government declared a state of emergency throughout the territory, officially to protect the population of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has been claiming for a week the capture several strategic cities and did not rule out marching on Addis Ababa.

Present at this rally in the famous Meskel Square, the mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abebe, accused “the enemies” of Ethiopia of wanting to “terrorize our population”.

“They say that Addis Ababa is surrounded, but Addis Ababa is surrounded only by its incredible people, by its heroic and vigilant children,” she said.

She also denounced the attitude of the Biden administration, very critical of this conflict and which announced last week its intention to end a trade agreement with Ethiopia due to human rights violations during this conflict. war.

“We will not sacrifice our freedom,” she said, saying “TPLF’s place is in hell”.

Protesters held up placards urging the United States to “stop sucking our blood” or denouncing Western media accused of broadcasting “fake news” exaggerating the rebel advance.

“Enough of the guns”

On November 4, 2020, Abiy Ahmed sent the army to the northern region of Tigray to dismiss the regional authorities from the TPLF, whom he accused of having attacked military bases.

He proclaimed victory on November 28. But in June, pro-TPLF fighters recaptured most of the region and then advanced into neighboring Afar and Amhara regions.

Several residents of Addis Ababa said on Sunday they were not afraid of the TPLF.

“They will not come to Addis because I think the military can destroy them,” said Kebede Hailu, clothing salesman: “There will be no negotiation. They are terrorists, they should be buried and wiped out. . “

Singer Tariku Gankisi passed on a more moderate message when he took the stage, calling for peace talks.

“Why do we say we have to move on and die? Let the young stay, the older go (to the front). Better to have negotiations,” he said, adding: “Enough of the guns, This is not a solution.”

As he spoke, one of the people on stage could be heard asking, “Who invited him?”

With AFP