European countries order citizens to leave as Ethiopian conflict rages on

After the United States and the United Kingdom ordered citizens to leave Ethiopia in recent weeks, France and Germany have followed suit as the war between federal troops and Tigray forces intensifies.

CAPE TOWN, November 24 (ANA) – After the United States and the United Kingdom officials ordered citizens to leave Ethiopia in recent weeks over the escalating war between federal troops and Tigray forces, France and Germany have followed suit.

Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday that the two European countries had urged their nationals to leave after the year-long conflict took a dramatic turn, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announcing his government was “now in the final stages of saving Ethiopia” and that he would lead his soldiers to the front line.

While the United Nations said it was temporarily relocating the families of international staff in Ethiopia, France prompted its nationals to leave “without delay” and German officials advised citizens to take the next available commercial flights out.

The UN was monitoring the situation as it evolved, keeping in mind the safety of staff and their families, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement.

The Guardian quoted US envoy Jeffrey Feltman as saying the “alarming developments” had jeopardised efforts for a diplomatic settlement and peaceful solution to the conflict.

Thousands of people have been killed during the conflict over the past year and the blockade on Tigray has left nearly half a million Ethiopians facing starvation.

“While there’s some nascent progress, that is highly at risk of being outpaced by the military escalation,” Feltman told reporters in Washington.

Meanwhile, the head of the Addis Ababa Peace and Security Bureau, Kenea Yadeta, said security forces as well as youth groups were working on the ground to keep the capital city safe.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa