Ethiopians flex military muscle during Epiphany
AFP, GONDAR, Ethiopia
Outside a centuries-old stone church in the northern Ethiopian city of Gondar, a drama troupe performed skits hailing the military defeat of the former leaders of the country’s Tigray region.
As rifle-toting actors danced around chanting actresses, an audience cheered when the troupe denounced the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as a band of “traitors.”
The performance was part of festivities marking the Orthodox Christian holiday of Epiphany, known as Timkat in Ethiopia, which commemorates Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan.
Amhara militia member Tesfahun Mande performs during preparations for the celebration of Timkat, the Ethiopian Epiphany, in Gondar, Ethiopia, on Sunday.
Ethiopia-Security January 20, 2021 to 18:33 412 APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia’s Police Commission on Wednesday said it has foiled what it called planned attacks during the Epiphany celebration in Addis Ababa.
The commission in a statement said the metropolitan police arrested 205 suspects who are currently under investigation.
According to the commission, the suspects had prepared three vehicles to carry out the attack on Tuesday mainly at Jan Meda where the grand Epiphany celebration takes place.
The arrests were made based on tip-offs from community members, according to the Addis Ababa Police Commission.
Security was tight in all parts of Ethiopia and in Addis Ababa as the celebrations took place.