We’ll keep marching on to Addis Ababa – TPLF

A Tigray rebel spokesman says their forces will keep marching on to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa until the government lifts its blockade on the northern region.

Getachew Reda told the BBC Focus on Africa radio programme that the only obstacle that was standing in the way of Ethiopia’s peace was Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s “obsession with a military solution to what is essentially a political problem”.

The rebels have been advancing towards the capital, and the government has asked residents of Addis Ababa to mobilise and protect their neighbourhoods.

Mr. Getachew said their continued march was “not so much about Addis Ababa but our intention to arm-twist [Mr Abiy] to lift the blockade on our people”.

“It is for Abiy to say yes to our demands…and put an end to the conflict,” the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) spokesman said.

The spokesman said former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is in Ethiopia trying to negotiate an end to the war, had fruitful talks with TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael.

He said the TPLF leader had “explained what we stand for”.