Community Leaders Bless Recruits Joining Ethiopian Army

Thousands of young Ethiopians have rallied in central Addis Ababa to join the army, part of a recruitment drive across the country to fight rebels in the northern region of Tigray.

The parade in the capital’s Meskel Square for the recruits before they left for training has been broadcast live on Ethiopian Television (ETV), the national broadcaster.

They seem to be aimed at showing support for the government’s military engagement in Tigray as well as encouraging others to enlist, he says.

Those at the venue were waving flags and chanting slogans like: “Don’t touch Ethiopia” and “Long live Ethiopia”, ETV reports.

According to Reuters, women and men in plastic sandals and baseball caps printed with phrases like “Ethiopia is calling” took part in the event, which was also attended by the defence minister and the capital’s mayor.

Community elders were seen blessing the recruits, who gave several reasons for joining up.

One 25-year-old said it was to continue the legacy of his father, an army veteran. Elsewhere it was the lure of paid work that attracted an 18-year-old.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) was the former ruling party of Tigray.

It was ousted in November by the army after it fell out with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed over his political reforms, though the TPLF’s capture of federal military bases in Tigray was the catalyst for the invasion.

The government withdrew and unilaterally declared a ceasefire, but the rebels say it should be a negotiated cessation of hostilities.