Ethiopia: after taking Mekele, Ahmed's government tracks down TPLF leaders
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, at his premises in Addis Ababa, November 30, 2020. AP - Mulugeta Ayene
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The Ethiopian federal state claims to have won the victory against the dissident power of Tigray.
On Monday, November 30, the government defended its action and the results of military operations, after more than three weeks of conflict.
But TPLF leaders say the fight is not over.
Addis Ababa also continues to seek the leaders of the Tigrayan party.
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With our regional correspondent,
Sébastien Németh
The hunt for the leaders of the TPLF is underway.
According to the government spokesperson, around 100 soldiers and around 100 civilians are actively sought.
But for Redwan Hussein, there is no question of negotiating with them.
“
We tried to dialogue on numerous occasions.
But given the massacres committed, the attack on our forces, the weapons and the rockets they say they hold, it is impossible,
”he said.
In any case, before talks, the federal army must leave Tigray, said Debretsion Gebremichael.
The TPLF chief says he is still in Tigray and has missiles ready to be fired at any time.
He even said he was
sure of the victory of his troops
, who would hold prisoners.
► To read also: Conflict in Tigray: Ethiopia announces that it has taken "complete control" of Mekele
Ahmed said the army did not attack as the leaders were accompanied by women, children and prisoners
Abiy Ahmed says he is sure he knows where the leaders of the Tigrayan party are.
Before the National Assembly on Monday, the Prime Minister indicated that they were between Hagere Selam and Abiy Abdi.
“
We did not want to attack them because they took their wives, their children and prisoners with them.
But we followed their movements
”, he affirmed in front of the deputies supporting his cause.
The head of government also questioned the fate of the refugees who left for Sudan.
According to him, they would be mainly young people, perhaps pro-TPLF infiltrators.
An assertion contradicted by figures from humanitarian workers, which show that most of the refugees are women and children.
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Ethiopia
Abiy Ahmed
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