Conflict with TPLF: Ethiopia lifts state of emergency

It is a great relief for the people of Addis Ababa that the state of emergency imposed because of the conflict between the “People’s Liberation Front” and the Ethiopian government has been lifted. The UN is now hoping for talks.

The step was expected after the cabinet had already spoken out in favor of ending the state of emergency in Ethiopia: Now the Ethiopian parliament has also voted to end the state of emergency that has been in effect for three months.

Many people in the capital Addis Ababa were relieved. “We can move freely again. That makes me happy and I feel better now,” says a man. Another added: “It’s much better than enforcing the state of emergency, but creating peace. The problems must now be tackled at the root and the government must try to find a lasting solution.”

Numerous reporters were also arrested

The state of emergency was declared in November when the so-called Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) was stationed with its troops not far from Addis Ababa. Among other things, the measure made mass arrests possible. People from Tigray are said to have been taken to camps in the capital.

Scores of reporters have also been arrested, says Angela Quintal of the CPJ, an organization that protects journalists. “They are being held without being told what is against them. They are being denied their rights. They must be released immediately.”

“Less hostile than a few months ago”

In fact, the Ethiopian government has recently released a number of detainees. A sign of a slight easing of the situation.

The conflict between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF, which used to dominate all of Ethiopia, escalated more than a year ago. Since then, thousands of people have been killed and more than two million displaced in a bloody civil war. Peace talks seemed completely out of the question for a long time. But the deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed is now hoping for a willingness to negotiate. “The attitude towards each other is less hostile than it was a few months ago. Talks and a path to peace are being considered,” says Mohammed.

Many people in the north of the country are starving

She had recently traveled to Tigray and the neighboring regions and was then shocked by the humanitarian situation. Many women have been raped in recent months. Large sections of the population are suffering from hunger – also because aid supplies are still hardly reaching the north of the country.

“That is probably the biggest challenge we have to face now. It is urgently necessary that women and children in particular are supported,” said Mohammed. The situation is made worse by a drought that is affecting Ethiopia as well as neighboring countries. Aid organizations speak of the worst drought in 40 years because several rainy seasons have failed in a row.