France calls on its compatriots to leave Ethiopia for war “without delay”

On Tuesday, November 23, France called on its citizens to leaveEthiopia, Fighting is approaching the capital after more than a year of fighting between government forces and rebels in the north of the country. “All French citizens are formally invited to leave the country without delay.”, Says in an email sent to members of the French community by the French Embassy in Addis Ababa.

The embassy said it had taken this decision into consideration “Evolution of the military situation”, Includes a plan to facilitate the departure of travelers on commercial flights by booking seats and, “If necessary”, To rent a charter plane. Prior to France, many countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, forced their citizens to leave the country. The latter also laid off their non-essential staff. An embassy official told AFP he had left “Volunteers” Employees can take place, especially among families.

In early November 2020, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abi Ahmed sent federal forces to Tigris to oust officials in the region from the Tigris People’s Liberation Front (DPLF), which he accused of challenging his authority and attacking military bases. Nobel Peace Prize 2019, Mr. Abi declared victory three weeks after the capture of the regional capital, Makkah. But in June, pro-TPLF militants captured most of the region and continued their offensive in neighboring Amhara and Afar.

Diplomatic efforts

At the end of October, the TPLF claimed responsibility for capturing two major cities in Amhara, which moved closer to Addis Ababa – which the Ethiopian government denied. The TPLF, which has linked itself to the Oromo rebel group operating in the area around the capital, said this week that it was in Sheva Rabbit, 220 km northeast of Addis Ababa. The government has not commented on the information. According to diplomats familiar with the security situation, some rebel fighters have reached Debray China, about 30 km from the capital.

In recent weeks, the international community has intensified its efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement. Ambassador of the African Union (AU) Horn of Africa, former Nigerian President Oluzekun Obasanjo and his US envoy Jeffrey Feltman returned to Ethiopia on Thursday. US Secretary of State Anthony Blingen recently warned of the dangers“Explosion” Ethiopia if no political solution to the conflict is found.