- Title: Nobel Peace Prize winner PM Abiy steps up military offensive in Ethiopia
- Date: 9th November 2020
- Summary: GUBA, ETHIOPIA (FILE - SEPTEMBER 27, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE GRAND RENAISSANCE DAM VARIOUS OF DAM WALL WITH WATER POURING THROUGH
- Embargoed: 23rd November 2020 11:09
- Keywords: Abiy Ahmed Eritrea Ethiopia Nobel Peace Prize Tigray conflict
- Location: ERITREAN-ETHIOPIAN BORDER, ASMARA, ERITREA / ADDIS ABABA, ARBA MINCH, GUBA, ZALAMBESSA, TIGRAY REGION AND HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA / KHARTOUM, SUDAN / JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN / OSLO, NORWAY
- City: ERITREAN-ETHIOPIAN BORDER, ASMARA, ERITREA / ADDIS ABABA, ARBA MINCH, GUBA, ZALAMBESSA, TIGRAY REGION AND HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA / KHARTOUM, SUDAN / JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN / OSLO, NORWAY
- Country: Ethiopia
- Topics: Africa,Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA00ED3UILON
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Ethiopia's prime minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, stepped up a military offensive in the northern region of Tigray on Sunday (November 8) increasing fears of outright civil war in Africa's second-most populous country.
But Abiy said on Monday (November 9) concerns his country was plunging into chaos were unfounded.
He has defied calls from the United Nations and allies in the region to negotiate with leaders in Tigray, home of the ethnic group that dominated the federal government before he took power in 2018.
Last week he launched a military campaign in the province, saying forces loyal to leaders there had attacked a military base and attempted to steal equipment.
The 44-year-old, who is the continent's youngest leader, won the Nobel Peace Price last year for democratic reforms following years of repressive government and for making peace with Eritrea after a border war that had killed tens of thousands.
But the conflict in Tigray threatens national stability.
Last week Abiy, who comes from Ethiopia's largest ethnic group the Oromo, launched a military campaign saying forces loyal to Tigrayan leaders had attacked a military base and attempted to steal equipment.
The Tigrayans account for just 5% of Ethiopians but had, before Abiy's rule, dominated politics since rebels from their ethnic group toppled Marxist military rule in 1991.
Federal government fighter jets have in recent days been bombing targets including arms depots in Tigray. Aid workers on Sunday reported heavy fighting between troops loyal to each side, with at least six dead and dozens wounded.
Since his Nobel win, Abiy has been brought in to aid peace talks in South Sudan, helping to end the country's multiple conflicts - one of the stipulations for the country's removal from the United States' sponsors of terrorism list.
However, the prime minister has not been without criticism. Violent protests broke out across the Ethiopian cities of Adama, Ambo and Jimma in the weeks following the Nobel announcement, after supporters of ethnic activist and media entrepreneur, Jawar Mohammed, rallied.
Protesters gathered outside Mohammed's house after it was surrounded by police following a warning by the prime minister against the media owner for "fomenting unrest".
Abiy has supported reforms demanding greater autonomy for Ethiopia's ethnic groups, which led to Sidama voting to become its own self-governing region. Abiy's political reform agenda approved Sidama's request for an independence referendum, in which 98.5%of voters backed the change.
But Ethiopia continues to be in dispute with Sudan and Egypt who both fear the $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project on the Blue Nile could lead to water shortages in their own nations.
(Production: Kumerra Gemechu, Angela Ukomadu, Okwi Okoh, Hannah Ellison, Paul Warren) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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