Abiy Ahmed: It's time for trial and error

PM Abiy, a Nobel Peace laureate, marked one year of war in Ethiopia this week [Photo: Reuters]

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has admitted that the country is going through a lot of challenges, noting that it's time for him to try what works out until a lasting solution is reached in the coming months.

With the war in Tigray spilling over to Amhara and Afar regions, the PM has been under pressure to consider holding talks with Tigray Defense Forces [TDF], his former ally in government who are now threatening to take over the capital, Addis Ababa.

On Tuesday, authorities in Addis Ababa urged residents to take over arms against advancing TDF, which has already seized several strategic towns in Ethiopia. The government urged citizens to immediately register their firearms and "stand against TDF".

In a tweet, the PM regretted the current political impasse but insisted that he will move on with his strategies to ensure that the country finds a better solution for the sake of peace and stability. The PM has struggled to lead the nation for several months.

"This is a time for trial and error. Everyone will be tested until the trial is over. We must all adapt our lives to the time of trial until our problems are solved quickly and we return to normal life," he said, adding that there is a need to continue " pushing hard".

Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF], now TDF has threatened to take over Addis Ababa having successfully taken over strategic towns in Afar and Amhara regions. The outfit has denied claims that it is getting back up from foreign fighters.

Already, the council of ministers authorized a state of emergency, forcing the US to caution its citizens from traveling to the Horn of Africa nation. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the State of Emergency is aimed at overcoming circumstances the country is facing now.

“We have to lead our lives in conformity with the situation so that our problems can be resolved soon” the Prime Minister underlined.

The Prime Minister called upon citizens to adhere to the State of Emergency and provide all the necessary support to security forces to reverse the situation. The emergency comes amid concerns about the humanitarian crisis in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE