TPLF warns protestors
Following the wave of political unrest in the Oromia and Amhara regional states most government institutions in Addis Ababa has spent a busy week holding emergency meetings and forums dealing with the current political crisis stifling service delivery in most government offices across the city, The Reporter has learnt.
Since early Monday this week, most government offices summoned their employees for an emergency meeting to discuss on the recent protests in the two largest regional states of the country, sources said.
However, some participants indicated that though the protests have already challenged the incumbent government with different issues, some of them evolving by the day, the government officials have focused on discussing about peace and security instead of addressing the legitimate question.
Due to the emergency meetings, regular tasks has been either halted or delayed.
In additions to in-office meetings, some institutions have also had a busy week organizing public forums with their respective sectors and stakeholders.
Among them were women Forums in Addis Ababa, Youth Leagues, Business People’s forums and other groups conducted public meetings with their respective stakeholders.
Despite the critical questions raised during protests in both the Amhara and Oromia regional states, according to sources, the government officials rather wished to urge the youth to refrain from illegal activities and present their questions in a democratic and peacefully way. Sources also indicated that the real issued which are echoed in the protests were once again raised by participants of the forum but did not receive any direct responses from most of the officials.
Last month, the head of the Amhara Regional State government communications office, Nigusu Tilahun, is quoted saying that the regional state governments would address the demands made by the protestors most of which are connected to development and good governance.
In a related development, in a statement that was issued yesterday, Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has vowed to take action against those working to dismantle the constitutional order and those standing against the equality of nations and nationalities.
In the statement, the party said that it is going to fight any forces who are working against the country.
Although the government security apparatus reported that the demonstrations had been contained, observers are saying current political situation has become volatile.
Activists are said to be busy devising alternative methods of protest that range from weakening government institutions through staying at home and not operating businesses to organizing a Diaspora-based “grand solidarity rally.”
In the town of Gondar in the state of Amhara, where the first demonstration took place, residents resorted to a new mode of protest – staying at home at least on Monday and Sunday.
In a related news, the US State Department has alerted US citizens of the risks of traveling in certain regions of Ethiopia due to anti-government protests, some of which have involved to violence.
“Internet, cellular data, and phone service have been sporadically restricted or completely cut off prior to and during some of the protests, impeding the US Embassy’s ability to communicate with US citizens. Protests are likely to continue, and could spread to other parts of the country, including the capital, Addis Ababa. US citizens in Ethiopia should increase their level of situational awareness, continuously assess their surroundings, evaluate their personal level of safety, and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings,” the alert read.
