TPLF reportedly 130 KM from Addis Ababa as PM Abiy Ahmed hands duties to deputy

CAIRO - 24 November 2021: Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) continues the fight against the Ethiopian army on the way to Addis Ababa as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed transferred his powers to his deputy.

 

Amid speculations that the regime is falling, warnings from several countries, and appeals that their nationals leave the country, Ethiopians are living a state of confusion and worry. Reports say TPLF forces are only 130 kilometers away from the capital, while Ahmed has gone to battlefront. 

 

The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (Fana) quoted government spokesperson Legisi Tulu as saying that Foreign Affairs Ministry Demeke Mekonnen, also Ahmed's deputy, will take over the day-to-day affairs in the absence of the prime minister. 

 

The U.S., Germany, and France urged their nationals to leave Ethiopia immediately, and the UN has almost completely evacuated its staff.

Armed confrontations are still ongoing in the regions of Amhara and Afar, where the Ethiopian army and the local forces of the two regions are standing up against TPLF.

 

CNN reported on Tuesday that the U.S. army deployed forces in Djibouty to help their embassy in Ethiopia if needs be.

 

The U.S. embassy in Ethiopia warned about a possible terrorist attack in Addis Ababa and other parts of the country, targeting diplomatic buildings, tourist spots, markets, foreign companies, resorts, government facilities, or other places.