Ethiopian government detains 16 UN workers and their families in Addis Ababa as war with advancing rebels continues

The Ethiopian government has imprisoned around 16 United Nations personnel and their relatives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. UN security officers are said to have visited the jailed personnel and advised the Abiy Ahmed administration to release them immediately.

“Of course, we are actively working with the Ethiopian authorities to obtain their prompt release,” United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York. “These are United Nations staff personnel, they’re Ethiopians,” he said in response to an inquiry about the ethnicity of those held.

 and we would like to see them released, whatever ethnicity is listed on their identity cards.” The state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said on Sunday it had received many reports of arrests of Tigrayans in the capital, including elders and mothers with children.

This comes as Government forces and Tigrayan fighters loyal to Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have been in shootouts, a war that has lasted a year.

Last week, the TPLF and allies, including Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), announced they have advanced towards Addis Ababa.

A state of emergency was declared on November 2, empowering the government to arrest anyone they find to be working for the TPLF or OLA.

Daniel Bekele, head of Ethiopian Human Rights Commission told Reuters on Tuesday, November 9 that the arrest of hundreds of Tigrayans has been ongoing. On Monday, the police said only “followers” of the TPLF are being detained, adding that “this is not ethnically motivated”.

Fasika Fanta, spokesperson for the Addis Ababa police, and government spokesman Legesse Tulu told Reuters they had no information on the arrests of U.N. staff.

“Those that have been detained are Ethiopians who violate the law,” said Legesse.