Conflict in Ethiopia: the concern of the inhabitants of Alamata, city of Tigray under Amhara control
Sign announcing entry into the Amhara zone, in southern Tigray, Ethiopia.
May 2021 © RFI / Sébastien Németh
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The conflict continues in Tigray, a province in northern Ethiopia which has been in the throes of violence since November.
Faced with the former Tigrayan power of the TPLF, the federal forces are supported by the Eritrean army, but also the Amhara militias.
This ethnic group took control of part of the territory, notably the west and the southern tip of Tigray.
Regions claimed for decades by the two communities.
Report in the South, in Alamata, a locality now under Amhara control.
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With our special envoy to return from Alamata
,
Sébastien Németh
In the streets of Alamata, roadblocks are now installed in various places of the city.
They are held by Amhara forces claiming the southern tip of Tigray.
Boytum Haile is a teacher and this situation saddens him: “
It makes me sad to see the Tigray amputated.
I feel like I've lost my identity.
I do not know who I am anymore.
And if I have a conflict with an Amhara, I will never be found right, just
because I am Tigrayan
.
"
Locals claim that Tigrayan officials have been replaced by Amharas.
Elias admits that he even had to change his identity papers: “
When we are checked with a Tigrayan identity card, the authorities ask us why we do not take Amharas papers.
Each time, there was some hassle.
So as I am a civil servant, I had no choice, to avoid problems with the Amhara forces I had to have my card changed.
"
Fear of mass arrivals
In the heights of the city, a new sign now indicates where the Amhara zone begins.
Saleh Kube lives in a house across the street.
He finds it difficult to accept the situation: “
It has always been and will always be Tigrayan territory.
If the Amharas come, we will fight.
We don't have much, but we will defend our land
.
"
The inhabitants say they are afraid of a massive arrival of Amharas to drive them out of the region.
In western Tigray, thousands of people have already fled their homes to seek refuge in IDP camps in the center of the province.
Alamata, a town in southern Tigray now controlled by the Amharas.
May 2021. © RFI / Sébastien Németh
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