Ethiopian crisis: 'Abiy marches to the war front to to save Ethiopia'
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - With Ethiopian rebels saying they are continuing their march on the capital, Addis Ababa, with fears of the country disintegrating, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says he is joining the war on the frontline to save the country.
The Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) quoted him as saying in a messsage on Monday that "it is time to lead the country with sacrifice and vowed to lead army from the battlefront as of today (Tuesday)".
He said: “All of you who aspire to be one of Ethiopia’s most admired children, stand up for your country today. Let’s meet at the battlefield front. As we march to the battle the remaining will cover the gap created by us and work in all their capacity.”
ENA said Federal and Regional States leaders, who will not be in the battlefields, shall in their best capacity work harder than ever for development and administrative work.
“As the others guard their surrounding with wisdom, our elderly mothers and fathers will pray persistently and as a result everyone will work together to ensure Ethiopia’s victory.”
ENA said Prime Minister Abiy called on all black people to stand with Ethiopia with the spirit of Pan Africanism for the sake of the dignity and sovereignty of the black people.
“We are now in the final stages of saving Ethiopia. Our enemies from inside and outside have come coordinated to attack us. On the one hand, our historical enemies who don’t wish to see Ethiopia growing by its own and in its own way have plotted against us for our downfall.
“If Ethiopia rises and wins in an African way, it will never be the same again,” Abiy said.
He said it is no longer a time to sit back and watch to criticise, but to do what has to be done by ourselves.
"No one will stand for Ethiopia better than we do. The name Ethiopia is the name of the winners; a symbol of freedom."
Abiy has already declared a state of emergency, called his countrymen to arms, recalled retired soldiers and taken a raft security measures to halt the advance of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), whose attack on federal forces in the region's capital, Mekelle, on 3 November last year triggered the war.
Thousands of people have been killed, tens of thousands displaced while hundreds of thousands are in dire need for food and humanitarian services.
The African Union and the US have been leading a flurry of diplomatic activities but are yet to secure a ceasefire and negotiations for peace.
-0- PANA MA 23Nov2021
