Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
November 3, 2021—Ethiopia’s cabinet has on Tuesday declared a nationwide state of emergency after Tigrayan rebels overtook two major towns in an apparent push towards the capital and continue to threaten to capture the Prime Minister and his Lieutenants.
“We will leave no stone unturned to hunt down criminals who have made the killing and maiming of innocent civilians their vocation& hold them responsible. Those who have officially instituted vigilante justice against our people must refrain from this insanity. #TigrayShallPrevail!” Said the TPLF spokesman, Getachew K Reda
According to Dr. Abiy’s administration, the decision to impose a state of emergency is meant safeguard public interest, to protect civilians.
“The state of emergency is aimed to protect civilians from atrocities being committed by the terrorist TPLF group in several parts of the country,” Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported, referring to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
According to Fana Broadcasting Corporation, the parliament is expected to sit to ratify the measure within 24 hours.
Last week, the TPLF claimed to have captured two key cities about 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Addis Ababa and has not ruled out marching on the capital, which has so far not seen any fighting.
The federal government has denied the claims of the TPLF but if confirmed, capturing key towns in Ahmara region could boost the Tigray’s morals to continue advancing.
In June, Ethiopia’s National Defence Force made progress in attempt to suppress the rebellion but the defiant opposition regrouped and seized most parts of Tigray region including its capital, Makelle.
Last weekeend, the Tigray Forces announced capturing the strategic twin cities of Kombolcha and Dessie in Ethiopia’s Amhara region and threaten to continue advancing.
In response to the state of emergency, the spokesman of the TPLF responded a few minutes ago saying the state of emergency will not save the regime from collapsing.
“#AbiyAhmed’s declaration of State of Emergency cannot save his regime from collapse. It’s however a carte Blanche to jail or kill Tigrayans at will. While the regime is teetering on the brink of collapse, #Abiy& his lieutenants are unleashing a reign of terror with a vengeance.” Said Getachew K Reda, the Spokesman of the Tigray forces.
