Ethiopia offers reward for rebellious leaders of Tigray
by Andrew Meldrum, The Associated Press
Posted Dec 18, 2020 6:32 am EDT
Last Updated Dec 18, 2020 at 6:42 am EDT
JOHANNESBURG Ethiopia is offering a reward of more than $250,000 for information on the whereabouts of Tigray’s rebellious leaders who fled the regional capital Mekele three weeks ago.
The state broadcaster EBC quoted an Ethiopian Defence Forces official on Friday morning as saying the government is offering 10 million birr (around $257,000) for information leading to the capture of the leaders of Tigray Peoples Liberation Front who led the region’s conflict against the federal government.
“The offer is made to apprehend the TPLF leaders in a short span of time,” Lt. Gen. Asrat Denero said on the broadcaster.
Friday, 18 December, 2020 - 18:15
The fighting in Tigray has left thousands dead, according to the International Crisis Group. (AFP) Asharq Al-Awsat
Ethiopia on Friday offered a reward in exchange for information that could help locate leaders of the Tigray region s ruling party, who have been the target of a major military offensive.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, last year s Nobel Peace Prize winner, announced the military campaign against the Tigray People s Liberation Front (TPLF) on November 4, saying it came in response to TPLF-orchestrated attacks on federal army camps.
Abiy declared victory after federal forces took the regional capital Mekele in late November, but the UN says clashes persist in the region and TPLF leaders remain on the run.
Ethiopia offers reward for help finding dissident Tigray leaders - Africa - World ahram.org.eg - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ahram.org.eg Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Ethiopia is offering a 10 million birr ($260,000) reward to anyone with information on the location of fugitive leaders of the rebellious force in the northern region of Tigray, the government said on Friday.
The reward to help capture leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) was announced on state-run broadcaster EBC and later tweeted by the government’s task force on the Tigray crisis.
The announcement was made by Lieutenant General Asrat Denero, head of the military’s community information department, who also provided a hotline where citizens could give tips.
TPLF leaders, believed to be hiding in the mountains since the capital of the region was captured by federal forces on November 28, have said that they are fighting back. Reuters news agency has not been able to reach them for comment for more than a week.