Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government said many Tigrayan combatants had responded to an ultimatum to lay down arms before a threatened offensive against Mekelle city, with half a million inhabitants. "Using the government's 72-hour period, a large number of Tigray militia and special forces are surrendering," a government taskforce said. The UN Security Council was to hold informal talks later on Tuesday over Tigray, according to a UN source and an email. MYRIAD ETHNIC GROUPSHis predecessor, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, criticised international mediation efforts by "well-intentioned outsiders" in a piece for Foreign Policy magazine. On the other side you have had the TPLF leadership say they are ready to die," said Michelle Bachelet.

Source: bd News24 November 24, 2020 12:33 UTC