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Support for the government: Hundreds of thousands took to the streets in nationwide mass demonstrations in Ethiopia
Photo: TIKSA NEGERI / REUTERS
In Ethiopia, the conflict over the breakaway region continues to worsen.
For days, rebel groups have been moving towards the capital Addis Ababa.
Now there were mass protests by government supporters in the metropolis and several other cities in the country.
Hundreds of thousands across the country protested on Sunday against the rebel groups in conflict with the government.
The demonstrators marched peacefully through the streets to pledge support to the East African country's army against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
The government-organized protests were also directed against international voices calling for an end to the violence.
The posters read: "We don't need foreign interference."
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government declared a state of emergency a few days ago.
She also called on the population to take up arms against the TPLF rebels.
In Addis Ababa, numerous people from Tigray were arrested and driven out of the city in military vehicles.
The police confirmed on Saturday that there had been a "cleanup".
UN accuses conflicting parties of serious human rights violations
The conflict broke out about a year ago when the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Abiy began to oust the TPLF, which was in power in the Tigray region.
It had previously dominated the country with its 115 million inhabitants for a good 25 years.
Many people in Tigray feel that they are not represented by the central government and are demanding more autonomy.
Since the beginning of August, the conflict has spread to the Afar and Amhara regions.
The authorities in Addis Ababa urged residents to defend their neighborhoods against the TPLF themselves.
People should police register firearms, a senior city official said Tuesday.
As a result of the violent conflict, around 400,000 people in the north of the country are now at acute risk of starvation.
About two million people have been displaced.
Abiy is now heavily criticized internationally, but is sticking to his brutal campaign.
The UN accuses all parties involved in the conflict with serious human rights violations.
asc / dpa
