Ethiopian army accuses WHO chief of supporting Tigray leaders

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Ethiopia’s army chief on Thursday accused WHO boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus — the world’s highest-profile Tigrayan — of lobbying for and seeking to arm leaders in the conflict-torn dissident region.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed unleashed a military campaign in the country’s northern region on November 4 with the declared aim of unseating its ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which he accuses of defying his government and seeking to destabilise it.

Army chief Berhanu Jula told a press conference that Tedros, who served as health minister under TPLF leader Meles Zenawi, was "a part of that team", referring to the party.

"He has worked in neighbouring countries to condemn the war. He has worked for them to get weapons," said Gen Berhanu, without offering evidence to support the claims.

He added that Mr Tedros had "left no stone unturned" to help the TPLF.

In a separate press conference, Redwan Hussein, spokesman for a crisis committee handling the conflict, admitted "the government is not happy" with Tedros.

Ethiopian refugees have fled to Sudan

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"The government is aware that he has been hustling and bustling, calling leaders and… institutions and asking them to… compel the government to sit and negotiate," he said.

"The government actually expects him to reach out and ask… as to how he might be of use or help to the government."

Mr Tedros has yet to respond to the accusations.

The 55-year-old was appointed as the first African head of the WHO in 2017 and has become a household name as he grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic. He has been ranked as one of Time magazine’s most influential people.

Mr Abiy’s government insists its target is the "reactionary and rogue" members of the TPLF and not average civilians in Tigray.

But observers have voiced concern about Tigrayans losing their jobs or being arrested for their ethnicity.