Canada withdraws families of embassy staff, non-essential employees from Ethiopia due to armed conflict

CAIRO – 8 November 2021: Canada made a decision Sunday to withdraw families of embassy staff and non-essential employees as Tigray forces are advancing toward the capital, Addis Ababa.

Also, the Canadian embassy to Addis Ababa tweeted addressing expats, "If you are in Ethiopia, and your presence isn't essential, consider leaving if you can do so safely." The day before, it tweeted: "The security situation is deteriorating and evolving quickly. You should reevaluate whether your presence in the country is essential."

Update: If you are in #Ethiopia and your presence isn't essential, consider leaving if you can do so safely. https://t.co/P6649dMbDr

— Canada in Ethiopia (@CanadaEthiopia) November 7, 2021

Tigray forces had captured two towns and have been advancing toward the capital so as now they lie 270 kilometers away from Addis Ababa.

The two towns are Dessie and Kombolcha, and both are located in the Amhara Region housing the largest ethnicity in Ethiopia. According to the Guardian, the former fell on October 31 while the latter was seized on November 1.

The conflict between Tigray and the federal government has been ongoing since November 1, 2020, as a result of the former's objection of the postponement of elections, and the marginalization of politicians affiliated to the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF), that used to be an integral part of the consecutive governments for decades.