There was no immediate word from the TPLF, and all internet and phone lines were cut in the northern Tigray region following the announcement. Tigray officials have objected to the postponement of Ethiopia’s national election, once set for August, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the extension of Abiy’s time in office. On Sunday, a senior TPLF official, Getachew Reda, told The Associated Press his side will not accept a negotiation with the federal government. In September, people in Tigray votedin a local election, defying the federal government and increasing political tensions. Tigray officials warned then that an intervention by the federal government would amount to a “declaration of war.”Last month the federal government moved to send funding for the region to local administrations instead of the regional government, angering TPLF officials.

Source: Ethiopian News November 04, 2020 17:03 UTC