Conflict in Tigray: Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde comes out of her silence
An abandoned Tigrayan forces tank near Mehoni, in southern Tigray, Ethiopia, December 11, 2020 (Photo illustration) © EDUARDO SOTERAS / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Are we witnessing a change in attitude at the head of the Ethiopian state or can we see the first fractures within the government over the war in Tigray?
After three and a half months of conflict and a humanitarian disaster, the President of the Republic, Sahle-Work Zewde, has emerged from her silence.
His vision of the humanitarian situation is much more alarming than that of the Prime Minister who assures him that everything is back to normal in the northern province.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Addis Ababa,
Noé Hochet-Bodin
On social networks, images appear of the president visiting Mekele, the provincial capital of Tigray.
In front of the photographers, we see her comforting a woman sitting on the road or even kissing an injured little girl.
But beyond the images, the weight of the words: "
The needs are enormous
", she assures before adding: "
We cannot pretend not to see or hear what is happening in Tigray
.
"
Sahle-Work Zewde
speaks about human rights violations and horror stories, including sexual violence against women in the province.
Even if its position agrees with the conclusions of many humanitarian organizations, it is surprising because, in fact, it takes the opposite view of the official version of the Prime Minister.
Indeed, Abiy Ahmed continues to downplay the impact of war on civilians.
No official report has been published since November 4.
Read also: Ethiopia: the increasingly deafening silence of the authorities on Tigray
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Ethiopia