Top TPLF official surrenders to defense forces in Tigray

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - A top official allied to the Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF] surrendered to the Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] almost a week after the government announced the final phase that ended up in the capture of Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of Tigray region. 

Keria Ibrahim, who is a Member of Parliament, surrendered herself in Mekelle according to State media. Keria had been a speaker in parliament's upper house, until her resignation in June after disagreeing with the decision to postpone elections because of the covid19 threat. 

Her resignation caused alarm bells and highlighted the strain on ties between the federal government and the TPLF, which 5 months later would lead to war. The TPLF has been outlawed and the government has called on its leadership to give themselves up.

Keria Ibrahim served as speaker of the upper house for about two years before falling out with the federal government. In July 2018, she was part of the historical Abiy led Ethiopian delegation which traveled to Asmara and restored ties with Eritrea after 20 years of hostility. 

Her name was among a list of 64 TPLF party members, published by the Ethiopian gov on November 13th, and wanted treason, rights abuses, and corruption, alongside that of the likes of the ousted Tigray regional President Debretsion Gebremichael. 

This comes after the Sudanese army arrested a TPLF Junta militia leader fighting along with the rebels inside the Sudanese borders, accompanied by his family members and a huge amount of money and gold, Fana reported. 

Reliable security sources told the Sudan Tribune on Monday that the military intelligence of the 2nd Infantry Division in Gedaref had spotted the militia commander, accompanied by dozens of soldiers and his personal protection team, along with his family in the Allow border area in Al-Fashaqa locality.

The arrested group is suspected of being involved in attacks on Sudanese lands in the Greater Al-Fashaqa area inside the Sudanese territory. It further said that the Sudanese forces found in his possession about 5 billion pounds, large quantities of gold, furniture, and two luxury cars.

This comes after the Ethiopian authorities launched a manhunt on Sunday for leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front [TPLF] who fled Mekelle on Saturday.

According to Sudan Tribute, there were reports that some rebel leaders fled into mountainous areas, while others crossed into the Sudanese and South Sudanese border. The Sudanese authorities pledged to cooperate with Addis Ababa to prevent the rebels from hiding in Sudan.

GAROWE ONLINE