TDF takes over Mekelle as Ethiopia's troops withdraw from Tigray

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF] otherwise known as Tigray Defense Forces [TDF] has retaken Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of the Tigray region, moments after the withdrawal of Ethiopia National Defense Forces [ENDF].

ENDF has been camping in Tigray since November 2020 in pursuit of TPLF, leading to unimaginable bloodshed, rape, and torture, something which sparked an international outcry. The federal troops were largely assisted by those from the Eritrea army.

Top TDF leaders confirmed that they had taken control of Mekelle, over five months after retreating to villages for a guerilla war against Ethiopian troops. Throughout that period, they accused the federal troops of targeting innocent civilians.

But on Monday, the interim Tigray government that was imposed by Ethiopia's PM Abiy Ahmed, announced a unilateral ceasefire, adding that the troops had been withdrawn. Sources confirmed that the interim Tigray officials fled the capital after the announcement.

Residents in downtown Mekelle reported seeing rebel troops in the city for the first time since they were driven out by government forces in November, and several described scenes of jubilation in the streets.

The latest development comes after aid agencies confirmed that over 2 million people have been displaced, thousands killed and dozens of others raped or tortured in Tigray. Federal troops have been linked to the atrocities.

They followed recent reports of an escalation in fighting between government troops and the Tigray's former governing party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, outside Mekelle.

"The capital of Tigray, Mekelle, is under our control," Getachew Reda, a TPLF spokesperson, told Reuters by satellite phone on Monday night.

Ethiopia's government said it was declaring a ceasefire following a request from the interim regional administration in Tigray, which Addis Ababa appointed after ousting TPLF forces.

"This unilateral ceasefire declaration starts from today June 28, 2021, and will stay until the farming season ends," the federal government said in a statement late on Monday. Ethiopia's main planting season lasts from May to September.

Although it hasn't been fully confirmed that TPLF welcomed the ceasefire, there are reports that the separatists want full assurance from Addis Ababa. However, troops affiliated with TDF were seen celebrating as they made triumph entry to Mekelle.

"Until all our enemies leave Tigray, we will fight," Liya Kassa, another TPLF spokesperson, said in an audio statement posted late on Monday on the Facebook page of the party-affiliated Tigrai Media House.

Eritrea to the north and the neighboring region of Amhara to the south both sent troops into Tigray to support Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government after it accused the TPLF of attacking military bases across the region in early November.

The Ethiopian prime minister's spokesperson and the military's spokesperson did not respond to telephone calls and messages seeking comment. The TPLF could not immediately be reached for comment on the ceasefire.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he had spoken to Abiy and was "hopeful that an effective cessation of hostilities will take place. It's not clear how long the conversation took but the matter featured in their debate.

"It is essential that civilians are protected, humanitarian aid reach the people in need and a political solution is found," Guterres said in a statement.

But the United States, Ireland, and the UK have already asked the United Nations Security Council [UNSC] to convene a special sitting on the Tigray crisis. The issue is set to be discussed by the end of this week, sources say.

"Ceasefire in Tigray great news. Now begins the hard work of starting a dialogue, granting full and unfettered access to humanitarian agencies to deliver emergency aid to conflict victims," says Rashid Abdi, an analyst on Horn of Africa affairs.

"Now is the time to have an external third-party mediation in Ethiopia. Ideally, a Kofi Annan-type figure. Mbeki comes to mind easily," he added in reference to former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

GAROWE ONLINE