Ethiopia issues arrest warrant for Colonel who led deadly Somalia invasion

ADDIS ABABA - A top Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF] military officer is among 76 senior military officials in Ethiopia wanted for the ongoing crisis in the Tigray region, it has emerged, following the ongoing operation to restore stability within the Horn of Africa nation.

For the last three weeks, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] has been raiding TPLF bases in Tigray after the latter allegedly attacked a military base, triggering fury from Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, who has been leading reconciliation efforts in Ethiopia.

Col. Gebregziabher Alemseged alias "Gebre" is among the 76 TPLF officers, some of who served in ENDF who is now wanted by authorities in Addis Ababa and would face treason charges once arrested, officials said. He's currently leading the TPLF team against the Ethiopian troops in Tigray.

A close analysis of the list shows that four Major Generals, 10 Brigadier Generals, 47 Colonels, 11 Lieutenant Colonels, one Major, and three captains are being sought for the ongoing crisis in Tigray, which has attracted retribution from sections of the international community members.

But Col Gebregziabher Alemseged stands out in the list given his role in Somalia when he led Ethiopian National Defense Forces invaded the neighboring war-torn nation in 2006 to fight against the Union is Islamic Courts in the south and central regions. 

During that time, complaints arose over his conduct with sections of Somali leaders accusing him of engineering "atrocities" against innocent people in the country. Critics accused the ENDF of inflicting atrocities on people who were after all supposed to be "protected" from the Eritrean-backed Islamists.

Colonel Gebregziabher Alemseged was commander in chief of Ethiopian forces during the 2006 incursion of Somalia. He was replaced in 2008, after reports his forces shelled hospitals in Mogadishu, among other atrocities, and to date, he remains infamous within Somalia.

Besides taking part in committing war crimes in Somalia, he was also accused of using "threats and intimidations" to force a political consensus in his favor. Later on, he was dismissed from IGAD, a leading regional body that brings together people of East and the Horn of Africa.

Tigray region crisis has led to the displacement of over 40,000 people but as of Wednesday, both parties had claimed victory. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed insisted that his decision to attack TPLF was "timely and for the interest of the people" even though he's still under pressure to use dialogue.

GAROWE ONLINE