Monday, 01 February 2021_The fugitive leader of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has reportedly issued a fresh call to his supporters to pick up arms against the federal government, according to an audio message posted online.
“I call upon you, wherever you are ... to organize and fight and to strive to make all who have reached fighting age take up the fight, and through this to shorten the lifespan of the enemy,” Debretsion Gebremichael said in the recording via a media outlet affiliated with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the 20-minute audio message which was posted on Facebook, but it would be the first public statement by Debretsion in nearly two months.
He has been on the run since shortly after fighting broke out in early November between Ethiopian and allied forces and armed militants of the Tigray region.
“They (federal forces) have temporary military dominance,” said the recording, alleging abuses such as rape, torture and looting, reports of which have also been highlighted by the United Nations.
The Tigray leader also called on the international community to investigate what he alleged to be “genocide” in the restive northern region.
He urged Tigray residents to “continue the struggle” and vowed to do the same against those who are “working with all their might to destroy our existence and identity.”