Special envoy to Lalibela.
On the rocks surrounding the Giorgis de Lalibela church, a dozen Ethiopian army soldiers take selfies, smiling.
This year, they replaced the tourists.
Usually, foreigners flock in large numbers during the month of January for the Christmas and Epiphany celebrations.
This time, in cafes, hotels and along the roads, soldiers in uniform accompany the traditional Orthodox celebrations.
Known for its troglodyte churches classified as World Heritage by Unesco, the city of Lalibela, nestled at an altitude of 2600 meters in the Amhara region, is marked by the war which has been raging for fourteen months in the north of Ethiopia.
For nearly five months, its inhabitants lived behind closed doors, under occupation by soldiers from neighboring Tigray.
"We ran out of food, even shiro
(the most common dish in Ethiopia, editor's note), remembers Marta (*), a young resident of Lalibela.
It was a period...
This article is for subscribers only.
You have 87% left to discover.
Freedom has no borders, like your curiosity.
Keep reading your article for 1€ the first month
I ENJOY IT
Already subscribed?
Login