WHO Director denies ‘lobbying rebels in Ethiopia’
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), reported that his allegations of lobbying in favor of the insurgent Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in his country of Ethiopia are not true.
Ghebreyesus, in a written statement on Twitter, stated that he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the conflicts in Ethiopia and the news that many displaced civilians took refuge in neighboring countries.
Stating that he witnessed the “destructive nature of war” in his childhood, Ghebreyesus emphasized that he worked to establish peace by bringing the warring parties together when he was an adult.
Ghebreyesus denied the allegations that he lobbied in favor of the TPLF and said, “There were reports that I took a side in this case. This is not true. I just want to say that I am on one side and that this is the side of peace. The whole world needs peace for health, health for peace. ” used the expressions.
The first AA announced to the world
Ethiopia has accused World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of lobbying in favor of the TPLF.
The Ethiopian senior government official, who did not want to be named, told Anadolu Agency (AA) on November 17 that Ghebreyesus is seeking diplomatic and military support for the TPLF both in the international community and in neighboring countries.
Ghebreyesus, a former executive board member of the TPLF, served as Ethiopian Health Minister in 2005-2012 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2012-2016.
“Ghebreyesus is lobbying United Nations institutions to put pressure on Ethiopia to stop the military operation unconditionally.” The official stated that the Addis Ababa government will send a protest note to WHO on this issue.
The official claimed that Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was also seeking military support from Egypt for the TPLF, and that Ethiopia was pressuring its neighbors to provide diplomatic and military support.
The government official said that the neighboring countries warned them about these steps of Ghebreyesus and that they would not support the TPLF.
The TPLF forces, which govern the province of Tigray, attacked the national army units on 3 November, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on November 4 that they decided to take a military action against the TPLF.
Ahmed, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize after his peace treaty with his neighbor Eritrea, ignored the calls of international organizations and countries in the region and stated that the operation will continue until the “junta” in the region is disarmed, a legal administration is established and the criminals are punished.
Claiming that the Addis Ababa government was illegitimate for postponing the elections, the TPLF held the local government elections in September and won. After the elections, the National Assembly announced that all ties with the local administration had been broken.
