Ethiopia declares ceasefire as rebels retake Tigray capital

ADDIS ABABA, 29 June 2021, (TON): Ethiopia’s government declared a unilateral ceasefire in its northern Tigray region after rebel fighters retook Mekelle, the regional capital, following nearly eight months of conflict that the United Nations says has pushed 350,000 people to the brink of famine.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the former governing party in the region, said “on Monday it was back in control of Mekelle, and residents reported seeing troops in Tigray regional uniforms in the city for the first time since November.”

Getachew Reda, spokesperson for the TPLF, said “The capital of Tigray, Mekelle, is under our control.”

The statement on the “immediate, unilateral” ceasefire carried by state media came shortly after the Tigray interim administration, appointed by the federal government after routing TPLF forces, fled Mekelle and called for a truce to allow desperately needed aid to be delivered.

“This unilateral ceasefire declaration starts from today June 28, 2021 and will stay until the farming season ends,” a statement released by the federal government late on Monday read. Ethiopia’s main planting season lasts from May to September.

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