Tigrayan rebels denied Saturday they have had "direct engagements" with the Ethiopian government, following a statement by the African Union which has been leading a push to end the 21-month conflict. Getachew Reda, spokesman for the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), said an AFP story that cited an AU statement was "pure fabrication". TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael has also insisted that key services would have to be restored in Tigray before dialogue could begin. In November 2020 Abiy ordered troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, accusing the rebels of attacking federal army camps. The TPLF mounted a shock comeback in June last year, retaking Tigray and expanding into neighbouring Afar and Amhara, before the war reached a stalemate.

Source: Ethiopian News August 13, 2022 17:55 UTC