Thousands of Ethiopians took to the streets on Tuesday to demand the withdrawal of foreign forces who have remained in the region since the end of a two-year war.
After months of fighting that left tens of thousands dead, the government forces and their allies from neighboring Eritrea, the Amhara region, and Tigrayan forces declared a ceasefire in November.
Despite the fact that millions of people have been displaced, security forces and militiamen from the Tigray and Amhara ethnic groups, who disagree about who should own the land, remain stationed there.
According to humanitarian workers, Eritrean troops have spotted several border towns deep within Ethiopian territory. The government has provided no response.
On Tuesday, there were peaceful demonstrations in Mekelle, Adigrat, and Shire (the regional capital). Tigrai TV, which is controlled by Tigray’s ruling party, broadcast images of protesters holding signs that read “invaders must leave our homeland.”
One of the protesters in Mekelle, Henok Hiluf, said that he believed there were between 3,500 and 4,000 people there.
Since the peace agreement’s signing in November, both parties have acknowledged progress toward enforcing its fundamental provisions. Because Tigrayan forces have begun disarming and an interim government has been established, many basic services can now be resumed.
Tigrayan authorities, on the other hand, have expressed concern about the deployment of foreign troops. Eritrean forces have blocked the implementation of the peace agreement, according to Getachew Reda, the leader of the region’s interim government.
Requests for comment were not immediately responded to by the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia, as well as the Amhara regional government.
