Mass Rallies across Ethiopia Denounce Foreign Meddling
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopians across the nation held mass rallies over the weekend against foreign meddling in the internal affairs of the country.
The rallies in major cities and towns including Addis Ababa were held in support of the government from what they described as “internal and external enemies of Ethiopia.”
The demonstrators displayed banners calling for the U.S. and European Union to ‘respect our sovereignty,’ and condemning the rebel group, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Speaking at Addis Ababa’s rally on Saturday, deputy mayor Jantirar Abay, said some countries need to stop meddling in the internal affairs of Ethiopia and refrain from supporting the TPLF and its allies.
“We support the government’s call for our sovereignty,” said Deputy Mayor Jantirar.
“We oppose any threat and interference to the unity of Ethiopia and we ask the interfering countries to stop.”
Millions across several ?? cities are protesting Biden's proxy war & State Dept's hostile intervention in #Ethiopia—yet the media ignores it. Selective & bias reporting is why Americans are oblivious to proxy wars their govt conducts in their name. #NoMore pic.twitter.com/pa3gP84PUI
— Ethio-American Development Council (EADC) (@EA_DevCouncil) October 22, 2022
The protest against foreign meddling was held ahead of the next week’s peace talks led by the African Union to resolve the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
The government accused the TPLF of starting an offensive attack on neighboring regions in August that resumed the conflict and halted humanitarian aid delivery to the region.
Foreign pressure from Western countries on Ethiopia mounted in recent weeks after the national defense forces were able to repulse the attack and started to take control of major towns this week.
The demonstrations over the weekend voiced support for the ongoing military measures being taken by the government against rebel forces.
On Friday, the U.S. put forward a “negotiated settlement” through negotiations as the only solution to end the fighting.
However, some experts say western governments seeking a resolution to the fighting are more focused on saving the rebel group.
“As the window of opportunity closes with the national defense forces’ military advances, they are urging an unconditional ceasefire to prevent TPLF from dissolving completely,” said Bisrat Lemesa, an independent researcher on Ethiopian politics, in his opinion piece published on Scoop.
On Friday, the UN Security Council failed to issue a statement on Ethiopia after China and Russia voted against the resolution proposed by the US and its allies.
Featured Image Caption: Demonstrators holding the Ethiopian national flag protest against what they say is interference by outsiders in the country’s internal affairs at a rally in Semera City, Afar region, on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. [Photo ENA]
